National Park Service closes Lake Manly to further boating

Unfortunately, bucket-listers, Lake Manly in Death Valley National Park has been officially closed by the National Park Service to further boating adventures for visitors.

For a brief month, visitors were able to bring their canoes and kayaks to paddle in the shallow waters of the Badwater Basin, a rare sight not seen since 2005. However, strong 40-mph winds last week pushed the lake two miles north, expanding its surface area but decreasing its depth.

Sarah Woodall, an outdoors vlogger from Tecopa near Death Valley, was fortunate enough to experience the lake before its closure. She paddled in a canoe on the lake over Presidents Day weekend, despite the windy conditions. Woodall felt it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to paddle in the lake.

While visitors can still walk on the mudflats, park ranger Nichole Andler stated that the lake was closed to water recreation to protect the natural features of the basin. As the water became shallower, visitors may disturb untouched areas of the basin in search of deeper waters.

Andler explained that kayakers would have to wade far into the lake to find a deep enough spot for their vessels, risking hitting the bottom with their paddles. The disturbances created in the process could last a long time, as it may be years before Lake Manly reappears in the desert.

Seeing natural water features in one of the driest, hottest, and lowest points in North America is rare. Recent storms brought water visible from space to Death Valley, with enough water in the basin to support boating activities.

It’s uncertain if the water attracted larger crowds, as the park service did not collect data on visitors to the lake. However, Woodall observed neighbors and tourists heading to Lake Manly with kayaks, as it was the only water body available.

Jon Tuico, another California vlogger, was drawn to the lake after seeing social media pictures of the horizon reflected in its serene surface. Tuico drove 10 hours to capture the unique view of Lake Manly, which he found truly special.

Badwater Basin is known for its unique salt formations created when water evaporates, and Andler hopes to preserve the classic beauty of the white salt flats. Tuico recommends visiting Death Valley now before the desert returns to its dry state in April, as Lake Manly offers a glimpse into the region’s watery past.