A rare superbloom is expected to unfold across Death Valley National Park this spring, according to National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A superbloom is a rare event in which an unusually large number of wildflowers bloom at the same time across a region—typically deserts in the American Southwest, like California’s Anza‑Borrego Desert or parts of Arizona. A combination of various factors, such as above-average rainfall, well-timed storms, cooler temperatures, and limited winds contribute to a superbloom. This year, the phenomenon is expected to occur at Death Valley, commonly known as the hottest place in the United States.
In Death Valley, the first superbloom in 10 years is expected to unfold this season, AccuWeather reported. In some parts of the park, wildflowers are already blooming.
“Death Valley is famous for its spectacular, spring wildflower displays, but those are the exception, not the rule,” an NPS website said. “Only under perfect conditions does the desert fill with a sea of gold, purple, pink or white flowers. These tend to average once a decade, with the most recent superbloom years being 2016, 2005, and 1998. Although there are years where blossoms are few, they are never totally absent.”
Newsweek reached out to the NPS by email for comment.
Wildflowers currently in bloom include the following: Desert Gold, Sand Verbena, Fove Spot, and Brown-eyed Primrose at South Badwater Road near Ashford Mill; and Brown-eyed Primrose along Highway 190 between the junction with Beatty Cutoff and North Highway, according to a webpage from the NPS.
“We are expecting a good bloom year. Sprouts have been spotted in many areas of the park, including washes and on hillsides,” the NPS said on its website. “Low-elevation flowers will bloom February-March and higher elevations will have blooms April-June.”
What Types of Flowers Will Bloom in Death Valley?
Superblooms bring some of the desert’s most vibrant species to life, transforming normally barren ground into carpets of yellow, purple, and pink. According to the AccuWeather report, the most common flowers expected in a 2026 superbloom include:
- Desert gold
- Brown‑eyed evening primrose
- Golden evening primrose
- Sand verbena
- Phacelia
These are the same species that dominated previous superblooms in 2016, 2005, and 1998. Officials emphasize that visitors must not pick flowers so seeds can replenish the soil for future seasons.
When Is the Best Time To View the Superbloom?
If conditions unfold as expected, the bloom will build from late February through early April, with the most intense displays typically occurring in mid‑spring. The NPS says the timing depends not just on rainfall but also on temperature and wind, which can shorten or extend the life of blooms.
Early blossoms have already appeared near Badwater Road.
When Was the Last Superbloom?
Death Valley’s last recognized superbloom occurred in 2016, following significant El Niño‑driven rainfall. Prior to that, major events were recorded in 2005 and 1998, making superblooms both spectacular and rare—roughly once per decade.
With 2026 shaping up similarly wet and with sprouting already visible, park officials say conditions this year resemble those that preceded the most vivid blooms in recent memory.
Since October 1, Death Valley has already exceeded its average annual rainfall after receiving 2.45 inches of rain, AccuWeather reported. Usually, the park sees 2.2 inches in an entire year.
