Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve: The Ultimate 2024 Visitor’s Guide
There are few things more beautiful than vast rolling hills of vibrant poppies. Sure, it’s an Instagrammable cliche, but there’s a reason so many people make the trek out to the blooms – especially after a rainy winter.
One of the absolute best places to see poppies in Southern California is the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. This natural reserve – located in Lancaster – has 8 miles of beautiful trails to explore, so there are plenty of opportunities to get your poppy fix.
If you’re considering checking out the California poppies in 2024, here’s everything you need to know. I’ve included a few tips to make the most out of your trip to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, as well as some key information on the best time to visit.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
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Check the Official Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve Website and Facebook Page
The wildflower season can take place from approximately mid-March through May, but the exact time differs from year to year. For example, in 2023, the poppies didn’t start to bloom until around mid-April. Rain and other factors can affect just how abundant the fields are, so it’s also important to keep in mind that not all years get that iconic superbloom.
With all of this in mind, in order to best plan for your trip out to the state reserve in 2024, you’ll want to keep tabs on the official Facebook page and website. Both are updated regularly with info and current photos of the blooms – so you’ll be able to figure out exactly when you should (and should not!) go. There’s also a super helpful poppy live cam where you can get a view of the fields! People aren’t always posting recent photos on Instagram, so it’s not the best place to see current photos of the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.
Go Bright & Early
The reserve typically gets very busy during the blooms, especially when the flowers are super abundant after a strong rainy season. In order to avoid the crowds and get a good parking spot, I highly recommend getting there as early as possible. If you can make it happen, try to get there when they open at sunrise! If that doesn’t sound feasible, be ready to park down the road and walk for a bit if you arrive later in the morning.
During both of my last visits (in 2019 and in 2023), I arrived right at sunrise and was able to get a spot in the lot. I also got to enjoy the nearly empty reserve for a bit and watch the sun rise over the hills, which was gorgeous! By mid-morning, there are typically cars parked on the street as far as the eyes could see in either direction.
One thing to keep in mind: poppies open up as it gets warmer in the day. This means they’ll still be closed if you’re there right at opening. For me, it was cool to see them open up as the morning progressed, but it’s something to be aware of.
Explore Beyond the Crowds
As I mentioned, there are 8 miles of trails at the reserve. However, a lot of people tend to stop right after they pass the entrance when they get their first glimpse of the poppies.
There is so much to explore, and there is no need to stand with the crowds trying to get your poppy shots. Keep walking – there’s much more breathing room if you go a bit further!
Be Willing To Explore Outside of the Reserve
Mother Nature is unpredictable, and the poppies don’t always fully bloom inside the reserve. However, there may still be poppy fields outside of the reserve.
This is exactly what happened in 2023. Despite a super rainy winter season, there wasn’t really a superbloom inside the reserve. It was still beautiful, but there was nowhere near the abundance of poppies that I saw in the reserve in 2019. However, there were still tons of great fields of poppies in other areas of Lancaster. For example, I saw some amazing poppy blooms off Highway 138, right on 140th Street W (which is a dirt road). Facebook groups like the California Wildflower Tipline group are great for identifying other areas where the flowers may be in bloom. I highly recommend joining if you’re planning on making a trip in the 2024 season!
Note: even if you aren’t in the reserve, in order to preserve the blooms for years to come, you still need to follow the rules. This means no sitting or standing on the poppies!
Below, the two photos on the left show the reserve in 2023. The two photos on the right are from the fields on 140th Street W, also from 2023.
Come Prepared with Layers, Sun Protection, and Water
You can spend plenty of time at the reserve (especially if you’re taking pictures), so make sure you come prepared. Bring snacks, water, sunscreen, and other forms of sun protection (there’s absolutely no shade). If you need to stock up on sunscreen, I recommend the Supergoop! Play SPF 50 for the body, and the EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 for the face! I also love using the AOTIAN Mini Nylon Backpack for day trips – it’s big enough to fit the essentials, but small enough that it isn’t annoying to carry around.
Check the weather and be sure to bring a jacket, if needed. If you’re going early, you’ll definitely want one, as the desert mornings can be chilly. Be sure you’re also wearing the right shoes. The trails are by no means treacherous, but you will be walking through sand and dirt, so wear a pair that can get a bit dirty!
Hit the Road with a Full Tank of Gas
The two closest gas stations are about 10 miles away from the reserve, so you definitely won’t want to arrive on an almost empty tank. Don’t risk having to call AAA out to the middle of the desert ($$$) – make sure your tank is filled before you hit the road.
FAQs
Now that we’ve gone through those tips, here’s a bit of key information to know as you finalize your plans to visit the poppy reserve.
When is the best time to visit the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve?
Plan to visit the reserve sometime between mid-March and May to see the poppies in bloom. However, the bloom is a bit different every year. Refer to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve live cam and official website to check on the bloom status before you make the trek.
What time does the reserve open?
The reserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Before hitting the road, you should check the official website to make sure it isn’t closed due to weather or other unusual circumstances.
How much does it cost to visit the reserve?
It costs $10 per vehicle to park in the lot at the reserve. They take exact change, as well as Visas and Mastercards.
How far is the reserve from Los Angeles?
The reserve is about an hour and 20 minute drive north of Los Angeles. This means it’s the perfect spot for a fun spring day trip!
What is the weather like at Antelope Valley?
In the spring, the weather can range from the mid-60s to the high 70s during the day. The early mornings can be quite a bit cooler (often around the 40s and 50s), so be sure to bring layers.
Can you pick the poppies at Antelope Valley?
Absolutely not! It’s prohibited to pick poppies at the reserve. Please respect the rule so that people can continue to enjoy the beautiful blooms. On a similar note, you also can’t lay on the poppies, despite what you may see on Instagram. By doing so, you’re destroying that patch for not only this season, but potentially for years to come. You will still get great photos while being kind to the poppies – I promise.
Have an incredible time visiting this beautiful state reserve! Looking for more California travel inspiration? Here are a few posts you might like:
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