Playa lakes are dry lake beds found in the Great Basin, formed by evaporation.

Playa lakes are characteristic dry lake beds found in the Great Basin. These flat, barren areas form when ancient lakes evaporate due to the region’s arid climate, leaving behind a layer of salt and minerals. While playas are typically dry, they can temporarily fill with water during rare wet seasons, turning into shallow lakes. These dry lake beds are essential to the local ecosystem, supporting migratory birds and other wildlife that use them as stopping points. Playa lakes are an iconic feature of the Great Basin's desert landscape.