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The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve was established to protect and perpetuate outstanding displays of native wildflowers, particularly the California Poppy, the state flower. The Antelope Valley is located in the western Mojave Desert at an elevation ranging from 2600--3000 feet, making it a high desert environment. Until the early 1970s sheep grazed the buttes, but park management has excluded sheep. Pronghorn Antelope grazed long before then, until the railroad of the 1880s brought recreational hunters in numbers too great for the species to recover.
This State Natural Reserve is located on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land. Other wildflowers - owl's clover, lupine, goldfield, cream cups, and coreopsis, to name a few - share the desert grassland to produce a mosaic of color and fragrance each spring. As unpredictable as nature, the intensity and duration of the wildflower bloom varies yearly. California State Parks does not water or use any other means to stimulate the flowers; the land is preserved to only be influenced by the natural forces that had once influenced all of our surroundings. The broad views of this landscape provide eyefuls of brilliant wildflower colors and fragrance. Whether you most enjoy expansive fields or the close-up study of a single flower, this is the place to visit.
Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. Although the wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through mid-May, the park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Fall is also a pleasant time to visit, as the days are normally warm with milder winds. Best poppy show is when the temperature is over 70F and wind is less than 10mph.
Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills, including a paved section for wheelchair access, make the park a wonderful place to hike and explore any season. Get away from the city and relax in the quietude of the countryside, with only the birds singing and hawks gliding silently overhead. Benches located along the trails make good places to sit quietly and watch for wildlife, such as singing meadow larks, lizards zipping across the trail, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes. If you're lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat. Numerous burrows around the trails may house mice, gophers, kangaroo rats, beetles, scorpions, or others.
The Visitor Center will open for the season on March 12.
The Reserve is currently open to visitors on a self pay/self guided basis.
Getting There
The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.
From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.
From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.
Latitude/Longitude: 34.72482 N, 118.41271 W
The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.
From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.
From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.
Latitude/Longitude: 34.72482 N, 118.41271 W
Parking Fees
During the wildflower season, March 12 - May 9:
$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)
Off Season:
$8 per vehicle
$7 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$4 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)
Small buses (9-24 passengers): $50
Large buses (25 or more passengers): $100
Vehicle entrance for K-12 School Groups is free with advance registration.
Day-Use tickets are valid for entrance on the same day to any other California State Park charging the same or lower rates.
During the wildflower season, March 12 - May 9:
$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)
Off Season:
$8 per vehicle
$7 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$4 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)
Small buses (9-24 passengers): $50
Large buses (25 or more passengers): $100
Vehicle entrance for K-12 School Groups is free with advance registration.
Day-Use tickets are valid for entrance on the same day to any other California State Park charging the same or lower rates.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open from sunrise until sunset.
Telephone 661-724-1180.
The park is open from sunrise until sunset.
Telephone 661-724-1180.
Facilities
The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, offering a short video, wildlife and plant displays and gift shop, is open daily during the wildflower season. Nearby, shaded picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round, with an interpretive display and a serene view over the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains.
The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, offering a short video, wildlife and plant displays and gift shop, is open daily during the wildflower season. Nearby, shaded picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round, with an interpretive display and a serene view over the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Tours
Guided tours will be offered daily beginning March 12.
Guided tours will be offered daily beginning March 12.
Climate/Recommended Clothing
Be prepared for strong winds and bring sun block. The desert temperatures can vary widely and change suddenly, so bring layers for unpredicted changes in weather.
Be prepared for strong winds and bring sun block. The desert temperatures can vary widely and change suddenly, so bring layers for unpredicted changes in weather.
Tips & Rules
Dogs are NOT allowed on trails with the exception of service dogs, and there are no parking areas that are protected from the sun. It is requested that service dogs and medically-necessary wear distinguishing markers to avoid misleading other visitors.
Horses or mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails.
Visitors must stay on the trails.
Picking or destroying wildflowers in the park is a violation of State law.
All features of the park are protected, including wildlife, rocks and historic objects and may not be collected without a permit.
Please Note: Rattlesnakes are out.
Mojave green rattlesnakes are active in the daytime on cool to warm days, and in the evenings on hot days. They are not aggressive and will not attack unless startled or threatened; they make you aware of their presence because they want to avoid a confrontation. If you encounter one on a trail, it will most likely move out of your way if you give it space. Rattlesnakes are an important part of the food web and are also protected. Without them, rodents could overpopulate and consume the flowers that the park is famous for.
Dogs are NOT allowed on trails with the exception of service dogs, and there are no parking areas that are protected from the sun. It is requested that service dogs and medically-necessary wear distinguishing markers to avoid misleading other visitors.
Horses or mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails.
Visitors must stay on the trails.
Picking or destroying wildflowers in the park is a violation of State law.
All features of the park are protected, including wildlife, rocks and historic objects and may not be collected without a permit.
Please Note: Rattlesnakes are out.
Mojave green rattlesnakes are active in the daytime on cool to warm days, and in the evenings on hot days. They are not aggressive and will not attack unless startled or threatened; they make you aware of their presence because they want to avoid a confrontation. If you encounter one on a trail, it will most likely move out of your way if you give it space. Rattlesnakes are an important part of the food web and are also protected. Without them, rodents could overpopulate and consume the flowers that the park is famous for.
Park News Alert
5-4-11: Poppy Peak!
It looked like we were going to have a very disappointing poppy bloom this year, but it turned out to just be running late! The late rains and cold weather were holding the poppies back, but the recent warm weather has brought out the color. We still don't have carpets of orange like we've had some years, but there are lots of plants with big, bright flowers scattered all over the hillsides. They can be found along many of the south-facing trails, but it looks like the best areas are along the beginning of the South Poppy Loop Trail and around the picnic area.
How long it lasts depends on the weather- a heat wave will wilt them quickly, but if the current pleasant weather lasts, it could be nice for about the next 3 weeks or so.
This has been a rather unusual spring for wildflower displays. Even though the first seed germination-triggering rain storm came early last fall, the first poppy blossoms were not seen until late February; a month or more later than past years with similar early rain storms. It wasn't a great year for other wildflowers either, but the variety that did have a modest showing have mostly gone to seed now.
Poppies bundle themselves up when it's cold and windy, so check the forecast before coming out. Tours are offered on weekends during the wildflower season that point out the variety of wildflowers that you many not have otherwise noticed, as well as the colorful history of the area.
5-4-11: Poppy Peak!
It looked like we were going to have a very disappointing poppy bloom this year, but it turned out to just be running late! The late rains and cold weather were holding the poppies back, but the recent warm weather has brought out the color. We still don't have carpets of orange like we've had some years, but there are lots of plants with big, bright flowers scattered all over the hillsides. They can be found along many of the south-facing trails, but it looks like the best areas are along the beginning of the South Poppy Loop Trail and around the picnic area.
How long it lasts depends on the weather- a heat wave will wilt them quickly, but if the current pleasant weather lasts, it could be nice for about the next 3 weeks or so.
This has been a rather unusual spring for wildflower displays. Even though the first seed germination-triggering rain storm came early last fall, the first poppy blossoms were not seen until late February; a month or more later than past years with similar early rain storms. It wasn't a great year for other wildflowers either, but the variety that did have a modest showing have mostly gone to seed now.
Poppies bundle themselves up when it's cold and windy, so check the forecast before coming out. Tours are offered on weekends during the wildflower season that point out the variety of wildflowers that you many not have otherwise noticed, as well as the colorful history of the area.
Accessible Features
An ADA-compliant pathway leads from the disabled parking area to the visitor center, and extends a short way into the reserve. The 400’ path from parking area to the Visitor Center is usable, but assistance may be required with slopes in one section. The picnic area has wheelchair-accessible tables and can be reached by a paved pathway. ADA-compliant restrooms are available in the parking area all day and at the visitor center during their open hours. The Visitor Center is open mid-March to mid-May from 10-4 weekdays and 10-5 weekends. It is generally accessible, including restrooms. A manually-operated wheelchair is available for check-out at the visitor center. Five designated accessible parking spaces include one van space.
A 555-foot-long, 4-foot-wide concrete path leading to the Poppy Loop provides a generally barrier-free route to a good overview area to see the wildflowers. There is one turn-around at the far end.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!An ADA-compliant pathway leads from the disabled parking area to the visitor center, and extends a short way into the reserve. The 400’ path from parking area to the Visitor Center is usable, but assistance may be required with slopes in one section. The picnic area has wheelchair-accessible tables and can be reached by a paved pathway. ADA-compliant restrooms are available in the parking area all day and at the visitor center during their open hours. The Visitor Center is open mid-March to mid-May from 10-4 weekdays and 10-5 weekends. It is generally accessible, including restrooms. A manually-operated wheelchair is available for check-out at the visitor center. Five designated accessible parking spaces include one van space.
A 555-foot-long, 4-foot-wide concrete path leading to the Poppy Loop provides a generally barrier-free route to a good overview area to see the wildflowers. There is one turn-around at the far end.
Nearby Community Trips
This hike was chosen after referring to "A Hike through the Low Antelope Valley Hills". This morning started a little cool with multiple layers of jacket and sweatshirt over t-shirts. Did get rid of the jacket and sweatshirt by end of hike. Lots of little lizards active. No visible legless brethren. Next month will have millions of poppies.
Full write up at Modern Hiker.
