Tip Toe Through the Poppies. . . of Antelope Valley

I can't say enough about the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve . . . stunning, breath-taking and beautiful come to mind, but you will have to see for yourself. I should start with a disclaimer, that my first attempt to visit the poppy reserve was in 2009. It was a pleasant drive and I was able to explore something new, however, it definitely did not compare to spring 2010!

Everywhere I looked. . . POPPIES! It was stunning. It was breath-taking. It was a beautiful view of bright orange painted throughout the valley.



The poppies are the main attraction, however, there are also other wildflowers scattered among the poppies. I've included some of the wildflower pictures I took at my first poppy attempt in 2009.



My apologies, as I don't know the names of the wildflowers. If you do, please comment and share your knowledge.

Here are a few helpful tips if you're going to visit the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.

First tip, do your research ahead of time. Call or search the internet to find the peak blossom dates. No matter when you do, you'll see poppies, but if you want to experience the WOW, then know the peak dates. The window may be short, and the drive may be long, but it is definitely worth it!

Second tip, get there early, as there is a maximum number of parking spots and the lot can get filled pretty quickly. Or, if you're not an early riser, then know that you will need to be patient and may have to wait to enter the reserve, just to park (there is a fee to park). The downside to getting there too early is that the poppies will be closed, as they open as the sun peaks and the day warms. Make a day of it, or expect to be there a few hours if you truly want to explore. **If you don't want to go as far as the reserve, there are poppies in the surrounding area. Please be careful, however, as snakes and critters do not know boundaries, and try not to step on the blossoms/plants.**

Third tip, check the weather as it can sometimes be a little chilly. As they always say, dress in layers, or at least bring a jacket that you can later remove. That being said, unless you're planning to stay close to the parking lot or on the concrete paved walkway, dust off your sneakers, pack some water and SUNSCREEN, as there are a few trails to explore.

And, finally, the fourth tip, listen to the park rangers and stay on the trail. There are snakes (and I did see a rattler or two). I know it's tempting NOT to tromp in the middle of the field to take your picture, but doing so harms the poppies and blossoms for the years to come.