Overview
- The National Park Service reports the best bloom since 2016, with widespread color at lower elevations likely lasting into mid to late March depending on weather.
- Park updates note recent heat and strong winds have pushed some areas past peak, though hillsides along Badwater Road and spots near Ashford Mill still show robust fields.
- The rare display stems from near‑annual precipitation since October, including a record wet November with 1.76 inches, which spurred germination of desert gold, phacelia, sand verbena, five‑spot and brown‑eyed primrose.
- Higher‑elevation flowers are expected from April through June, and rangers urge visitors to stay on designated areas, avoid trampling and do not pick blooms, noting some species can irritate skin.
- Similar but variable blooms are appearing across California deserts, with fresh color at Carrizo Plain and Antelope Valley while parts of Anza‑Borrego are already winding down.