Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

15101 Lancaster Road
Lancaster, CA

Think you can’t find rolling hills and wildflower habitats right outside of Los Angeles? Think again! If your southern California family vacation takes you down I-5 (especially from February to May, when the wildflower blooms are most vibrant), the detour to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, part of the California State Park system, is worth the drive!

From the California State Park website: “Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat…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. 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.”

The park is open year-round, but you’ll want to visit in the spring to see the wildflowers (fall is also a pleasant time to visit). An interpretive center is also on-site, offering a short video, wildlife and plant displays and gift shop (only open during the wildflower season).

Date last visited: Reviewer visited in April 2010.

Distance off the interstate: 22 miles off I-5

Hours and Admission Prices: Open sunrise to sunset. $8 per vehicle.

Food Services: None. There are picnic tables located new the interpretive center which look out over the valley to the San Gabriel Mountains.

Bathrooms: Located on-site.

Website: Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (Phone: (661) 724-1180)

Directions: From I-5, take Exit 207 onto CA-138 E toward Lancaster/Palmdale. Drive 22 miles, then turn right at 170th St W. Turn left at W Ave F-8/Lancaster Rd, then continue to follow Lancaster Rd for two miles. Turn left at 150th St W, then take a slight left to stay on 150th St W to the entrance to the State of California Poppy Reserve.


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