Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in the western Mojave Desert preserves the most reliable bloom site for the California golden poppy, the state flower. In favorable rainfall years, the hills surrounding the visitor center turn solid orange from late February through April as millions of poppies flower simultaneously. The unpredictable nature of superbloom events means year-to-year variation is significant, with drought years producing sparse blooms and wet winters producing spectacular carpets of color.