Soda Lake Dry Lakebed

This 8-square-mile dry lakebed sits at the lowest point of the Mojave River sink, normally a cracked white expanse of dried alkali mud. During exceptional rainfall years, it transforms into a temporary lake that can last for months, attracting thousands of migratory birds including pelicans and sandhill cranes. The contrast between bone-dry desert and sudden wetland is surreal.

Vehicle access is possible when dry but the surface can be deceptively soft — many rigs have gotten stuck in what looks like solid ground. When flooded, the area becomes completely inaccessible except for wildlife viewing from the edges. Check recent conditions before attempting to drive onto the playa surface.

Massive alkali playa that floods during wet years