Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

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. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily.

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 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 meadow larks, lizards, and gopher snakes. If you're lucky, you may spot a coyote or bobcat. Numerous burrows around the trails may shelter mice, gophers, kangaroo rats, beetles, scorpions, or others.

Additional Information

Good For

Families

Wheelchairs

Activities

Hiking

Picnicking

Wildlife Watching

Accessibility Description

A manually-operated wheelchair is available for check-out at the visitor center during the wildflower season. An ADA-compliant pathway leads from the disabled parking area to the visitor center, and extends a short way into the reserve. 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.

Tours

Group tours (minimum of 10 people) may be arranged by email. Tours for schools and not-for-profit groups are free; for-profit groups are $5 per person. Day-use entrance fees still apply (see above for waiving K-12 school entrance fees).

Hours

The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily year-round.

Facilities

The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is open March 1st through Mother's Day, with wildflower and wildlife exhibits, an orientation video, a gallery of Jane's botanical watercolor paintings, and a gift shop benefiting our non-profit association. The Interpretive Center is only open during the spring wildflower bloom and for special events.

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.

Parking Fees

Vehicles:

$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)
Small busses (9-24 passengers): $50
Large busses (25 or more passengers): $100

School Groups: Vehicle entrance for K-12 school groups is free with advance registration faxed to 661-946-6116 or scanned and emailed (See below regarding tour reservations). Fee waiver only applies to schools and homeschool groups; other school-age groups and organizations do not qualify.

Same-Day free entry: Parking fee receipts are valid for entrance on the same day to any other local California State Park charging the same or lower rates; entrance is free for those camping at a California State Park.

Park Passes: Visit our website for information on applying for our Golden Poppy, Annual Day-Use, Disabled Discount, Distinguished Veterans, and Golden Bear Passes.