Natural History Wanderings

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports

As of March 23rd, the east end of the park is covered with poppies and patches are starting to fill in around other areas!  We do not expect a full carpet of poppies across the park, but many other flowers such as goldfields, lupine, and lacy phacelia are also creating a mosaic of color that changes daily.  Depending on the season’s weather, the bloom could last into mid to late April.

Due to high visitation on weekends, the line to the entrance kiosk can be long by mid-morning. If possible, carpooling and visiting during the week are recommended. Visitors may park on Lancaster Road and walk in for free, but must stay on the pavement and enter at the kiosk. Mind the signs for legal parking areas on Lancaster Road. Visitors entering the park through the fenceline or by walking across the open fields will be fined.

Poppies open up on nice days, but they curl up at night or if it’s cold so check the weather forecast before arriving.  The weather can change suddenly and it is frequently windy here during the spring.  This is a DESERT grassland, so drink water often.

Note that it can be very windy here in the spring. Check the forecast before visiting and dress accordingly. Remember that going off of the trails to walk in the poppies crushes the plants and can result in a ticket (unless they’re growing on the official trails, and it can’t be avoided). No dogs, bikes, drones, or picking flowers.

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