Colorful Wildflower Displays Expected at California’s Desert State Parks This Spring
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Photos of the current wildflower bloom at several desert state parks. Left photo: Primroses in bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (SP). Top right photos: Lacy phacelia (purple flowers) and coreopsis (yellow flowers) blooming at Red Rock Canyon SP. Bottom right photo: Current view from the PoppyCam live feed at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve, where the bloom season has not yet begun and is expected to start around mid-March.
What you need to know: California State Parks invites Californians and visitors from around the world to experience moderate-to-strong wildflower blooms this spring in desert state parks. Visitors are encouraged to safely enjoy this natural phenomenon and are reminded to keep the “Beauty in the Bloom” by staying on designated trails and taking only photos, not flowers.
SACRAMENTO — Pollinators and anthophiles unite! This spring, California State Parks expects a moderate-to-strong wildflower bloom across desert state parks, thanks to widespread rainfall during the fall and winter. The desert landscape is beginning to burst with color in parks such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (SP) and Red Rock Canyon SP, with additional parks expected to display vibrant blooms in the weeks and months ahead.
State Parks reminds visitors to enjoy these seasonal displays responsibly and safely and that it is against the law to pick wildflowers in state parks.
- Where Blooms May Appear: Some parks that may potentially see good wildflower blooms this year are Anza-Borrego Desert SP, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve, Red Rock Canyon SP, Chino Hills SP, Eastern Kern County Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), Hungry Valley SVRA, Saddleback Butte SP and Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland SP. Many of these parks experienced notable blooms in 2017, 2019 and 2023, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to view this natural phenomenon.
- What Visitors May See: Depending on the park and timing, visitors may see sand verbena, desert poppies, primroses, desert sunflowers and apricot mallow, among others. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, from mid-March to May, expects a variety of wildflowers to bloom from poppies, fiddleneck, and redstem filaree in dense quantities.The reserve also offers a PoppyCam live feed, allowing visitors to check bloom conditions before making the trip.
- When To Visit: Wildflower growth depends on a delicate mix of weather factors, including rain and its timing, amount of sunlight, seasonal temperature patterns, and wind. Early blooms are already appearing in some areas, with Anza-Borrego Desert SP’s Henderson Canyon Road currently offering the most vibrant displays. Visitors are spotting desert sand verbena, primroses, desert sunflowers, apricot mallow, and even desert lilies. Other areas, including Borrego Palm Canyon and Coyote Canyon, are also starting to show early color. The blooms may continue through mid- to late February, weather permitting. Depending on the region and weather, the peak bloom season typically begins in mid-February onward.
Detailed information and updates, in Spanish and English, on this year’s potential wildflower blooms, park rules and media resources can be found at parks.ca.gov/WildflowerBloom.
Recreate Responsibly: Tips for Visiting Wildflower Areas
State Parks encourages visitors to plan ahead and explore safely and responsibly, particularly in desert state parks where landscapes can change after storms, cell service may be limited, and temperatures can vary widely.
- While planning your trip, check weather conditions. Be prepared and plan for all types of weather in the forecast.
- Download OuterSpatial, the official app of State Parks, for updated maps and information about the park.
- Each park has unique landscapes. Stay on designated trails whenever possible. Tread lightly in the desert. Do not trample flowers.
- When viewing the blooms, take only pictures. Flower picking is prohibited.
- Drink plenty of water prior to your visit to remain hydrated and avoid heat-related emergencies.
For more desert parks wildflower blooms safety tips, click here.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.