Become a “bone detective” this Wednesday, June 12. Start off California State Parks Week at Mount Diablo with a trip to the Summit to explore something new.
Examine bones and skull replicas and use your powers of observation to solve the mystery of what animals they belong to and to discover the interesting secrets they reveal about how each survives.
An early view of Rose Hill Cemetery in the foreground of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in 1972 before restoration efforts by park staff next to the public county road that went through the park. Source: EBRPD
Second collection of Martin J. Cooney Series available online
By Flora Csontos Acting Public Information Specialist,East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District is proud to unveil the Martin J. Cooney “Park Landscapes” online photo collection. This digital photo exhibit debuts a rare gathering of beautiful, nostalgic images that capture parkland and open space views of the East Bay from 1965 to 1981. At that time, the Park District was embarking on a period of considerable growth, tripling the number of Regional Parks to over 30. The Martin J. Cooney “Park Landscapes” collection has been carefully researched and curated by Park District Archives staff and volunteers, who have dedicated many hours to the preservation of the District’s history. As part of the ongoing 90th Anniversary celebrations planned throughout 2024, the photo collection is now available on the Park District’s Celebrating 90 Years webpage (www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years).
The release of the Martin J. Cooney “Park Landscapes” collection spans over 14 years of Park District photojournalism from the 1960s to the early 1980s. It memorializes landscapes, historic structures, and new parklands that later became part of the Regional Parks.
The Park District has grown to be the largest regional park district of its kind in the nation, with 73 regional parks available for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery. Wherever you live in the East Bay, there is a beautiful regional park close to you. The Park District manages over 126,000 acres of parklands, 55 miles of shoreline, and more than 1,330 miles of trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
In 2016, Martin’s family donated over 15,000 negatives to the Park District, which were taken in the 1960s to1980s when the Martin J. Cooney commercial studio provided professional photography services to the Park District. While Martin took some of the photos, most were taken by Nancy McKay, who became an apprentice of Martin’s in 1968 while working in the Park District’s Public Affairs Department and serving as its primary photographer for over 37 years. Additional Cooney photo collections were donated in association with the Oakland Tribune archives and are housed at the Oakland Museum of California.
The four Cooney photo collections being released this year in commemoration of the Park District’s 90th Anniversary include People in Parks (already available on the Celebrating 90 Years webpage), Park Landscapes, Park District Workers, and Special Events.
Join us in celebrating the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary with online photo exhibits and stories available through the Park District’s website. Explore the interactive photo collections, story maps, timelines, and online exhibits. Additional events and programs celebrating the Park District’s 90th Anniversary also include monthly naturalist-led “Explore Your Parks” adventure programs, among others. For more information about 90th Anniversary activities, visit www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.
Additional Curated Collections and Stories on Celebrating 90 Years Webpage
MARTIN J. COONEY PHOTO COLLECTION – “PEOPLE IN PARKS”
Visit the first in a series of exhibits featuring the Martin J. Cooney photography collection (1964-1980) from the Park District Archives.
FOUNDING OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Parks for the People (and By the People) – Explore the historic timeline of the formation of the East Bay Regional Park District (1864-1936).
TILDEN REGIONAL PARK HISTORY
Did you know that many of the Regional Parks have historic features and unique stories? Explore your parks in a new interactive Story Map series, debuting with Tilden Regional Park.
Father’s Day themed activities Sunday, June 16; Juneteenth Free Park Day Wednesday, June 19
By Flora Csontos, Acting Public Information Specialist, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
Thank you to the estimated 6,000 attendees who celebrated the East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th Anniversary at ParkFest at Lake Chabot Regional Park on May 11 and enjoyed a fun event filled with music, performances, food, and more. What a great time celebrating nearly a century of preserving open space and providing East Bay residents with access to nature close to home. Join us for more fun events throughout the year celebrating 90 years of East Bay Regional Parks, including “Explore Your Parks” programs, festivals, story sessions, picnics, and much more. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.
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The largest creek restoration project in the Park District’s history was recently completed at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, which removed several culverts and opened up 3,000 feet of creek to a more natural run. It is also the largest creek daylighting project in the entire Bay Area.
The Alder and Leatherwood Creek Restoration and Public Access Project, previously referred to as the McCosker Project, provides natural habitat for special status or protected species, including the California red-legged frog, California foothill yellow-legged frog, Alameda whipsnake, San Francisco dusky-footed wood rat, golden eagle, Cooper’s hawk, loggerhead shrike, northern harrier, and white-tailed kite. Water quality and streamflow were also improved by the project, providing new habitat for rainbow trout.
The project was made possible through $4 million in funding secured by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan in the 2019 state budget. Additional funding came from the Park District’s voter-approved Measure WW and other state and federal grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wildlife Conservation Board, Coastal Conservancy, California State Parks, and voter-approved Propositions 1, 84, and 50 allocated by the California Natural Resources Agency.
Park District launches pilot program to streamline entry at Del Valle Regional Park. East Bay RegionalPark District began a new pilot project on Memorial Day weekend to expedite park entry at Del Valle on weekends and holidays. Entry to Del Valle Regional Park on busy weekends and holidays can be very challenging as visitors line up at the entry kiosk to pay for park admission and parking. With the pilot project, visitors will pay a single $10 flat fee to enter the park rather than individual fees based on park use. The $10 flat fee covers park parking, trailers, and dogs. Fishing and quagga inspection fees can be purchased at the marina area. The $10 flat fee does not apply to Regional Parks Foundation members, who receive free park entry/parking at all Regional Parks as part of membership benefits. To help expedite entry, a limited number of passes will also be available for pre-purchase online at www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle/pre-purchase-parking. As vehicles approach the kiosk, there will be a separate line for pre-paid parking, staff, members, and residents. For up-to-date information or to provide feedback, visit www.ebparks.org/parks/del-valle.
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Join the Park District to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19. The Park District is celebrating Juneteenth with a Free Park Day and special naturalist-led programs on Wednesday, June 19, which is a state and federal holiday. All are welcome! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Join the Park District to celebrate and reflect. For more information, visit https://www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/juneteenth.
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A community meetingfor theBriones Pilot Project on June 15 will share feedback on the progress made in the past year and what’s ahead for the project in its second year. The meeting is a chance for attendees to share their views on the pilot project, too. The in-person meeting will be held on Saturday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at the Alhambra Creek Staging Area of Briones Regional Park in Martinez. The Briones Pilot Project is a two-year project created to test new ways to safely share trails amongst bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The project also improves the trail experience for all users while protecting habitat, wildlife, and watersheds. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/Briones-Pilot-Project.
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Enjoy Father’s Day at the East Bay Regional Park on June 16. Celebrate Father’s Day in nature or check out one of the themed activities planned in Regional Parks: Anthony Chabot Campfire: WILD Dads! at 8 p.m. at Anthony Chabot Family Campground, Father’s Day Celebration at 11 a.m. at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove, or Father’s Day Family Hike at 1:30 p.m. at Del Valle. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar?terms=Father’s+Day.
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Celebrate Regional Parks at Lakeside Laps on July 20. Mark East Bay Regional Park District’s 90th and the Regional Parks Foundation’s 55th Anniversary with a 5k, 10k, or half marathon at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley. The Regional Parks Foundation event is a fundraiser supporting East Bay Regional Parks. Come celebrate wellness, community, and the beauty of the Regional Parks while enjoying a run along the lake. For more information, visit www.regionalparksfoundation.org/news-events/lakeside-laps.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
On this National Trails Day see how all 63 national parks rank for hiking, most trails, most miles of trails & most visitors
By KURU Footwear Media Team
National parks are a national treasure—and Americans know it.
In fact, the National Park Service saw 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023 (that’s up more than 13 million visitors from the previous year!), and almost half of Americans (48%) say visiting the national parks is on their bucket list.
National parks help preserve and protect many of our nation’s stunning natural landscapes, so we can behold the beauty for years to come—often through one of thousands of breathtaking hikes.
With summer coming up and kicking off (unofficially) with Memorial Day weekend in May, we wanted to dig into data and find the top 10 best national parks for hiking to help Americans discover their next adventure.
Which National Parks are the Best for Hiking?
With so many show-stopping trails in the U.S. National Park System (over 44,000 combined miles of them!), we knew we needed to narrow it down.
To find our top national parks for hiking, we looked at several metrics: high number of trails, miles of trails, and a high average trail rating score. We also found the crowd density in each park by comparing the average number of daily visitors with the acreage of the park.
Here’s what we found!
Yosemite National Park takes our #1 slot with 278 trails, 4,729 miles of trail, and a 4.56 average trail rating. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Yosemite is known for its iconic and striking Half Dome, tall waterfalls, and giant Sequoia trees.
Source: KURU Footwear
Let’s dig into a more detailed breakdown of parks ranked by number of trails, miles of trails, and annual visitors! Every National Park Ranked for Hiking
Here are our rankings of all 63 national parks based on our metrics. Total mileage was rounded up to the nearest whole mile for the purposes of the table.
As a note, our rankings are based on specific metrics, but everyone’s priorities are unique! So, when it comes time for your national parks trip, feel free to reference this list while ultimately choosing the parks that most inspire you. We feel every national park is worth a visit!
Source: KURU Footwear
Which National Parks Have the Most Trails?
The national park system offers a tremendous total of 4,155 trails. Even if you ambitiously decided to hike one each day with no days off, you’d need a whopping 11 years to do it!
But if you’re looking for hiking options for the whole family, choosing a park with a high number of trails is a smart way to ensure there’s something for everyone.
Source: KURU Footwear
Which National Parks Have the Most Miles of Trails?
When mileage matters most (or you’re just hoping to get your steps in!) choosing a park with plenty of miles of trails might be your best bet.
With an impressive 44,370 combined miles of trails within national parks, you certainly won’t be short of options. The longest trail in the National Park System is the North Country Trail—spanning 4,600 miles across eight states!
Source: KURU Footwear
Which National Parks Get the Most Visitors?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park topped our list as the most visited, receiving almost 3 times as many visitors as the second most-visited national park, Grand Canyon National Park!
As you plan your next national park adventure, you may or may not want a lot of people around for the party. Here are the parks with the most visitors in 2023.
Source: KURU Footwear
Final Thoughts & Tips for Hiking in the National Parks
Now that you’ve discovered more info about some of our nation’s top national parks, here are a few tips on how to prepare for a visit to your bucket-list destination!
Do your research. Before you leave, we recommend planning your trip in advance by researching weather, trails you want to prioritize, trail difficulty, length, bathroom stops, and finding any needed lodging.
Wear supportive footwear. Bring a pair or two of comfortable, supportive shoes with plenty of traction, as you could walk many miles per day as you explore.
Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water to get you through long days. It’s smart for each person to wear a hydration pack along with additional bottles of water if needed.
Use sun protection. When in the sun, apply sunscreen every two hours, wear a hat and sunglasses, and wear moisture-wicking clothing with as much coverage as possible.
Bring a first-aid kit. On the trail, you might not have immediate access to medical care, so bring a kit with you that includes the basics (think disinfectant, bandaids, ace bandage, etc.) until you can get more help.
Whichever park you decide on, we hope you have a spectacular visit!
About the National Parks
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 318 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close-to-home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support. Learn more on the National Park Service website.
Methodology and Sources
Methodology
We used data from the National Park Service and AllTrails to find the number of available trails in all 63 National Parks in the United States, then ranked each on a scale of best to worst based on number of trails, miles of trails, average trail rating, and park crowd levels.
We used Alltrails to find all of the available trails in each of the 63 National Parks, and analyzed them based on the following metrics: Number of Trails (Total) Total Distance of Trails (in Miles) Average Trail Rating (1-5 Scale) Number of Annual Visitors (2023) Acreage of the National Park (Public Areas Only) These variables were weighted as follows to achieve our final scores and subsequent rankings: (40%) Number of Trails (35%) Miles of Trail (20%) Average Trail Rating (5%) Park Crowd Levels Each metric was normalized on a 0-1 scale with 1 corresponding to the measurement that would most positively affect the final score. These adjusted measurements were then added together with the weights mentioned above to get a score of 100. Sources 1. AllTrails.com 2. National Park Service – Reports (General) 3. National Park Service – 2023 Recreation Visitors 4. National Park Service – Trails & Hiking 5. National Park Service – Acreage by Park About KURU At KURU, we’re on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 32,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them with conditions (such as plantar fasciitis) and got them back to doing what they love.
Whether you’re hiking in East Bay Regional Parks, venturing into nearby open spaces, or simply relaxing in your own yard, it’s important to be wary of ticks, which are often present in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas. Visitors are encouraged to keep tick safety precautions in mind when visiting East Bay Regional Parks throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Ticks carry germs that can cause a number of diseases, including Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of a tick. It may be treated and cured with early diagnosis, but if not properly treated, it may persist in the body for years. Visit www.bayarealyme.org for more information.
What Does a Tick Look Like? In California, the western black-legged tick is the major carrier of Lyme disease. The adult female is reddish brown with black legs, about 1/8 inch long. Males are smaller and entirely brownish black. Both are teardrop shaped. Most ticks can’t fly or jump. They wait on the tips of grasses and in shrubs along well-used paths. With their front legs outstretched, they easily climb aboard unsuspecting hosts when they brush by.
Tick Safety Tips
Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes.
Tuck shirt into pants, and pants into socks.
Use insect repellent on shoes, socks, and pants.
Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks thoroughly and frequently.
Keep children and pets nearby. For maximum safety, consider keeping your dog on a leash.
Stay on trails. Avoid brush and grassy areas.
What To Do If Bitten By A Tick
Pull the tick gently from the skin using a tissue or tweezers (not with bare hands).
Scrape to remove any mouthparts left behind. An item such as a credit card can be used.
Wash hands and the tick bite with soap and water; apply antiseptic to the bite. Prompt removal of ticks may prevent disease transmission.
See a physician immediately if you think you have found a tick attached to your skin and you have any of the above symptoms. Early symptoms may include a spreading rash accompanied by fever, aches, and/or fatigue.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Beginning Monday, April 29 – will include new dog park, restroom and more.
By City of Antioch
Exciting News for Antioch residents in the Sycamore area.
Get ready for a whole new level of fun and relaxation at Contra Loma Estates Park! The City of Antioch is gearing up for some major renovations, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share the details with you.
Starting Monday, April 29th, we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and diving into construction to give your beloved park a fresh new look! Here’s what’s in store:
A Pawsome Addition: Get tails wagging with the construction of a brand-new DOG PARK! Let your furry friends frolic and play in a safe and designated space just for them.
Convenience at Your Fingertips: We’re installing a much-needed RESTROOM facility for your comfort and convenience.
Light Up Your Path: Enjoy evening strolls with a newly LIGHTED WALKING PATH, perfect for soaking in the beauty of the park after sunset.
Fitness Fanatics Rejoice: Say hello to fantastic EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, helping you stay active and healthy while enjoying the great outdoors.
Game On: Shoot some hoops under the stars with upgraded LIGHTING for the basketball court!
And that’s just the beginning! With a host of other amenities in the pipeline, the future of Contra Loma Estates Park is brighter than ever before.
Please note: The park will be closed to the public during construction for everyone’s safety. Have questions or eager to learn more? Reach out to our Capital Improvements Department at (925) 779-7050 – we’re here to help!
Get ready to experience a whole new level of fun, relaxation, and community at Contra Loma Estates Park. Together, let’s make memories that last a lifetime!
By Dave Mason, Acting Community Relations Manager, East Bay Regional Park District
Before logging in the mid-1800s, the East Bay had expansive redwood forests with huge trees. Ship captains sailing near the Golden Gate wrote about two redwoods at the top of a ridge in the Oakland hills that towered over others. At the time, they used the tall redwoods as landmarks to navigate their ships around the treacherous Blossom Rock, hidden just beneath the surface of the bay between Alcatraz and Yerba Buena Islands. Today, redwoods in the East Bay are mostly second and third-growth – still tall and magnificent.
Where you can see redwoods in the East Bay:
Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley – Walk the meandering paths through redwoods in the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.
Roberts Regional Recreation Area, Oakland – Walk Roberts Ridge Trail to find the Old Growth Redwood Heritage Viewing Deck and Interpretive Exhibit. Have a picnic in Redwood Bowl.
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland – Stroll past ferns and along Redwood Creek on the paved Stream Trail. You will see the descendants of the original Blossom Rock forest.
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the accomplishments and contributions of the groundbreakers and trailblazers who have improved and advocated for parks, nature, and the environment. There are two naturalist-guided programs scheduled that celebrate women in parks, including Wonderful World of Women Naturalists on Saturday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Big Break in Oakley, and Bay Area Women in Botany on Sunday, March 17, at 9:00 a.m. at Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in Oakland. Both programs are drop-in; no registration required. For more information or to learn more about the contributions of women to the Park District and its mission, visit the District’s Women’s History Month page at www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/womens-history-month.
Special 90th Anniversary “Explore Your Parks” Adventure Programs
Explore nature at your own pace and in your own way at Big Break’s All Abilities Day on Tuesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A special 90th Anniversary presentation will kick off the fun! This free drop-in program is inclusive and for all abilities, offering something for everyone. American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters will be on site.
Other March “Explore Your Parks” Adventure Programs include Day by the Water at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore on Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 90th Anniversary Sunday Stroll and Picnic at Temescal Regional Recreation Area in Oakland on Sunday, March 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. For more information, visit the Park District’s 90th Anniversary webpage at www.ebparks.org/celebrating-90-years.
Spring Means Wildflower Season in Regional Parks
Each year, from the end of March to the beginning of May, a rich diversity of wildflowers bloom throughout the Regional Parks. Visit Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve, Ohlone Wilderness Regional Preserve, or Black Diamond Regional Preserve, where the hillsides and meadows come alive with a kaleidoscope of colors, from the cheerful orange of California poppies to the delicate purple of lupines. These floral displays delight the eye and provide essential nectar for native pollinators like bees and butterflies. To see these impressive displays of flowers and celebrate the season, visit a park or join a variety of naturalist programs, including wildflower walks and hikes, videos, and art activities. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “wildflowers.”
The East Bay Regional Park District is a major employer of youth in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, with seasonal employment opportunities ranging from lifeguards to park gate attendants. The Park District is a great place to work for those who care about parks, nature learning, and enjoy outdoor recreation. The District is currently hiring lifeguards, recreation leaders, interpretive student aides, public safety student aides, and student laborers/gate attendants. For more information, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ebparks and search for “seasonal.”
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Top: Current wildflower bloom at Anza-Borrego Desert SP. Bottom left: Sparse flowers are starting to show at Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve (SNR). Bottom right: Goldfields currently adorn the Tule Elk SNR. Source: CA State Parks
Public asked to keep the beauty in the bloom by staying on designated trails and taking only photos, not flowers.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This spring, California’s desert state parks could potentially be adorned with a sea of rainbow colors as the wildflower season is expected to be an impressive one, and California State Parks is asking all visitors to enjoy them responsibly.
“In recent years, California has been lucky to see spectacular wildflower blooms in many public lands, including in state parks,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “We welcome all Californians and visitors from around the world to experience this natural phenomenon and ask all to keep the ‘Beauty in the Bloom’ by staying on designated trails and taking only photos, not flowers.”
Current Bloom Situation
Depending on the park, visitors may see colorful lupine, coreopsis, desert sunflowers, evening or brown-eyed primroses, desert bells, desert poppies or desert lilies.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Blooms are arriving in the heart of Borrego Springs along Henderson Canyon Road, the lower sandy dune portions of Coyote Canyon and in the southern portion of the state park along Highway S2 southeast of Agua Caliente County Park. Additionally, areas near June Wash moving northeast toward Fish Creek and Arroyo Tapiado are beginning to show the early bloomers like primrose, phacelia, and wooly sunflower. If moving south along the Highway S2, four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended on any unpaved park road.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve: Sporadic individual poppies are already starting to bloom. From mid-March to May, this park expects a variety of wildflowers to bloom. Poppies, fiddleneck, and red stem filaree have sprouted throughout the Poppy Reserve in large, dense quantities. Live updates from this park are available through the PoppyCam live feed. If the weather remains mild, the bloom is expected to be better this year compared to last year. If the weather turns hot, this could affect the bloom in the next few months.
Detailed information, in Spanish and English, on this year’s potential wildflower blooms and park rules is available at parks.ca.gov/WildflowerBloom.
Recreate Responsibly
For those wishing to visit areas where the blooms are popping, State Parks is providing visitors with tips on how to explore safely and responsibly, especially in the desert parks where the landscapes may have changed due to recent storms.
Understand the Area
Cell coverage can be spotty or nonexistent in some parks—be prepared.
Read about your state park destination online and download a map prior to your visit, especially if you are visiting a desert. Many GPS and map apps will take you to dirt roads requiring four-wheel drive vehicles.
Know your vehicle’s limits. Know which areas allow off-highway vehicle recreation.
Visit the parks during the week and arrive early to beat the crowds.
Remember to pull off the roadway when viewing wildflowers, wildlife or to take photos. Please leave roadways clear for vehicle traffic.
Leave an itinerary of your trip with a family member or friend with information such as time of departure and expected return, site visit location and names of everyone in your group. This will ensure law enforcement personnel have a better understanding of your location in the event of a rescue.
Check the Weather
While planning your trip, check weather conditions. Be prepared and plan for all types of weather.
Make sure your equipment and clothing are appropriate for the expected weather.
Respect the Landscapes
Each park has unique landscapes. Stay on designated trails whenever possible. Tread lightly in the desert. Do not trample flowers.
When viewing the blooms, take only pictures. Flower picking is prohibited.
If dogs are permitted, they must remain on leash, on designated roads, in campgrounds and in picnic areas. Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails, in the backcountry or in the wildflower fields. Do not leave dogs unattended in your vehicles—temperatures can reach lethal levels.
Drone use may be prohibited. If drone use is allowed, a filming permit from individual state park units must be requested.
Help keep the landscapes pristine, leaving it better than when you arrived by packing out anything you packed in—pack it in, pack it out.
Know Your Body Limitations
Bring plenty of food and water. There are often no restaurants, gasoline stations or stores near the bloom areas.
Drink plenty of water prior to your visit to remain hydrated and avoid heat-related emergencies.
Outdoor conditions can change quickly, especially in the desert. Bring sunscreen, a hat, layers of clothing and closed-toe shoes to avoid injury.
Walk at a pace that allows you to talk easily. If you are too out of breath to speak, you are probably working too hard. Take a rest or stop exercising.
In the event of an emergency, call 911.
Background
In 2017, 2019 and 2023, wildflowers carpeted state parks like Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR, Anza-Borrego Desert SP and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), attracting hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to view this rare occurrence in nature. These wildflower blooms vary from year to year based on multiple factors: Precipitation levels, the timing of that precipitation, amount of sunlight, humidity levels and seasonal temperature patterns can all affect both the bloom timing and number of flowers seen across the region. Since California was fortunate to receive more rain last fall and this winter, public land managers are expecting a “good” to “better-than-average” wildflower blooms in spring, depending on the continued weather conditions.
