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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,101 Google reviews · Running trail in Lancaster, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 8 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
State nature reserve within the Mojave Desert has 8-mile hikes & a wildflower season March to May.
What runners say about Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
“Seems like I missed bloom by 2 weeks or so but glad I still came to this spacious, well maintained poppy reserve.”
“Beautiful spot for hiking and observing poppies and other wildflowers.”
What a pleasant visit. This is my first time visiting Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Over the next 2-3 weeks when all the flowers are in full bloom, this park will definitely show off its hills with vibrant purple, orange and yellow colors.
If it's wildflower season in Southern California this state park is a must see! The amount of wildflowers depends on the amount of rain during the late fall and winter months, but when condition are right the valley floor is a wash with flowers, particularly poppies.
Beautiful hills and a really good workout for a run! Bathrooms are big and clean. I didn't go during poppy season but it was still beautiful.
Hiked the 5.6 mile Antelope Loop trail on a Wednesday morning mid-April. The bloom was way past by then. Wouldn't recommend going in 2026 if you want to see the flowers. Still a few dense clusters here and there, but not much.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a place located in an open plain or valley, where you can view California yellow/orange poppies growing anytime from mid-February to on into June every year.”
“There's only parking enough for like 50 cars and a LONG drive from the entrance to the parking lot.”
“The visitor center is a minute's walk from the lot, and has clean restrooms, and a water-refill station.”
“Over the next 2-3 weeks when all the flowers are in full bloom, this park will definitely show off its hills with vibrant purple, orange and yellow colors.”
“Hiked the 5.6 mile Antelope Loop trail on a Wednesday morning mid-April.”
Plan your run at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Distance8 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteparks.ca.gov
- Phone+1 661-724-1180
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7 pm |
Running trails near Lancaster
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Antelope Trail north loop
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Apollo Community Regional Park
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Bouquet Falls
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