Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR reports
As of March 26th, 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.
If possible, visiting on weekdays (Monday-Friday), is highly recommended. We are reaching full capacity on weekends, so by mid-morning the line to the entrance kiosk can be long or the entrance road may be closed altogether when the lots are full. Visitors may park on Lancaster Road and walk in for free, but must stay on the pavement and enter at the kiosk; visitors entering the park through the fenceline or by walking across the open fields from the road will be fined. Expect long lines for the restrooms on weekends.
Going off of the trails to walk in the poppies crushes the plants and may result in a ticket. DO NOT step off the official trail where others have already damaged plants or there is only bare dirt; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come. No dogs, bikes, drones, or picking flowers.
Poppies 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.
Natural History Wanderings 
Leave a comment