Natural History Wanderings

The poppies and almost all the other wildflowers have faded down to a few tiny patches, there are almost none left.  The beavertail cactus is still in bloom, though.  The Poppy Reserve is a desert grassland, and now without the flowers to brighten up the landscape.  The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is now closed for the season and will open again March 1, 2020.  It features a few nice exhibits related to the poppies and other wildflowers, a short film covering the same subjects, and art work created by the founder of the Poppy Reserve.  It also has poppy related merchandise for sale.  The Poppy Reserve is a nice place to hike before the summer heat settles in, with 8 miles of graded trails and a covered picnic area.

Please remember, visitors must stay on OFFICIAL TRAILS only; photos in the flowers are not allowed in the park. Walking in the poppies creates dirt patches and may result in a ticket. DO NOT walk where others have already damaged the habitat; it will compound the damage and leave a scar for years to come.

Current Photos