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A wildflower bloom is back in Riverside County. Here’s how to (responsibly) check it out
California poppies and other wildflowers blanket the hills surrounding Diamond Valley Lake in 2019.
(
Robyn Beck
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Each spring, the land around Diamond Valley Lake in Riverside County bursts into a vibrant array of native wildflowers. This year, it’s happening earlier than expected because of the recent rains.
The lake’s wildflower trail is scheduled to reopen this Friday, Feb. 27. Here’s what you should know before you go.
What the trail has to offer
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which manages the body of water in Hemet, says wildflower blooms are already dotting the hillsides around the ecological reserve at Diamond Valley Lake.
Think of a bright color wheel — that’s the kind of colorful blooms you’ll see. The hills grow orange California poppies, baby blue eyes, red bush monkeyflower and yellow tidy tips, to name a few. You’ll also get a peek at SoCal’s largest drinking water reservoir.
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Known as the Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail, the 1.3 mile loop extends from the Lakeview Trail, close to the trail head and parking area. You can see a map here. The hike has some rugged terrain, but it’s rated as easy-to-moderate.
- Address: 2615 Angler Ave., Hemet
- Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When you visit, don’t go too late! No entry is allowed after 3:30 p.m. Starting March 8, it’ll be open until 5:30 p.m. (with no entry after 4:30 p.m.).
You’ll have to pay $4 per person to use the wildflower trail. Parking costs $11 (or $5 if you’re: 62 years and older, a military member or a veteran).
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Observe safely
Wildflower blooms are very popular in Southern California because of how beautiful (and Instaworthy) the scenery is, but you should tread cautiously.
About 10 years ago, Diamond Valley Lake’s trail had to be closed because crowds of visitors trampled the wildflowers. So when you visit, make sure to follow these etiquette tips so the bloom can be enjoyed by everyone.
Best practices
Here's guidance from the California Botanic Garden on how to responsibly view the state's spectacular flower blooms:
- Stay on designated trails: real trails — not those newly blazed by the person before you.
- Take photos only; leave wildflowers where they are.
- Plant your own super bloom by sowing seeds from reputable nurseries such as the Grow Native Nursery at CalBG or Theodore Payne Foundation.
- Volunteer with organizations to help maintain native ecosystems.
- Avoid visiting the most vulnerable parks with high visitation (i.e., those that you may be hearing about on the news or social media). Instead, spread out to other areas. There is a lot to see in California!
- Share these guidelines with others: your friends, family, people you see violating them.
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