Written By: David Blacker, DVNHA Executive Director
Latest Update: 2/15/2026
Gravel Ghost (2023)
Current Overview
The bloom has started! With the opening of the Badwater Road, we discovered that from Ashford Mill to Salsberry Pass, the bloom has begun. The rest of the park is working hard to catch up. There is no telling how long this might last, so don’t put off your visit.
Park Recon
On a scale of 0 to 100, the south end of Badwater Road is about a 50. The upper portion of Badwater is a 25 and improving fast. The rest of the park is about a 20, with large areas of low greenery. A lot of that greenery is Brown-Eyed Evening-Primrose, a lovely white flower that does not open up until later in the day and into the evening. I’m seeing it all over the park. The other area to keep an eye on is the Mud Canyon Road from North Highway to Hells Gate. We have had confirmed reports of very good blooms in the Kit Fox Hills and Death Valley Buttes. Both of these areas require strenuous hikes to reach. If you head out to Ashford Mill please be careful. The road is open, but you could find areas of soft to no shoulders and missing pavement.
Desert Five-Spot (2023)
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Wildflower Season
For the next 7-10 days I’m going to stick with my call for a “Very Good Bloom,” but with the weather we have coming, I may need to upgrade next week. It looks like we are going to get some more rain starting on Monday. This could put us over the top. Stay tuned for more updates.
2026 Wildflower Tees Now on Sale!
This year’s wildflower tee features Rock Nettle, a plant that perfectly captures the character of the Death Valley region. Tough, understated, and surprisingly beautiful once you slow down and really look. It is not the loudest bloom in the desert, but it has a presence that stays with you.
The tee itself is comfortable and designed for everyday life, whether that means exploring the park, running errands, or remembering a great trip long after you are home.