RVing to California to See the Desert Wildflower Blooms

By Laura Falin
February 12th, 2025
National Parks
California desert wildflowers include the breathtaking poppies in Antelope Valley

When most of us think of deserts, we think of stark, barren landscapes with nothing but sand stretching for miles in every direction. But California’s deserts are alive with animals, plants, trees, and – if you’re there at the right time – wildflowers. In fact, there’s nothing quite so striking as the bright pops of flower colors against the beiges, browns, and light greens of the desert landscape.

If you’re planning on RVing to California to see the desert wildflower blooms, you’ll want to go in late winter or spring. California deserts can get extremely hot during the summer. Not only will you be uncomfortable, and possibly at risk for heat-related illnesses and injuries, the wildflowers are usually gone before the intense heat arrives.

Wildflowers you may spot in the California deserts include cactus flowers, California poppies, lupine, desert lilies, primroses – including evening primrose which open later in the day – coreopsis, a variety of daisies, and many more.

RVing in California is a great way to see these flowers. You can move around to see flowers blooming in different regions or stay longer in an area that interests you. And after a day of walking and hiking, you can retire to shower and rest in your own space before venturing out again the next day.

When to See the Wildflowers: Peak Blooming Periods

The blooming period for California desert wildflowers varies, based on where you’re headed. The weather that year can also affect blooms. The Bureau of Land Management says that the quality of wildflower blooms each year depends on having well-spaced rainfall during the winter and spring, warm sunny days, and a “lack of desiccating winds” which can cause significant moisture loss in plants.

Many of the locations listed below get very popular during wildflower season. You can often get updates on the parks and other areas by following them on social media. Some also have interactive maps to help you plan your trip.

Here is a very general breakdown of when you can expect to find wildflowers blooming in different areas:

  • January–March: Early blooms in lower elevations like the Imperial Valley, lower elevations at Anza-Borrego State Park, and lower elevations at Death Valley National Park
  • March–May: Prime bloom season in most desert regions. Blooms in the above areas will be finishing up, and you’ll start to get wildflower blooms in the Coachella Valley, the Antelope Valley, the Morongo and Yucca Valleys, and the higher elevations at Anza-Borego and Death Valley. Blooms at Joshua Tree National Park and in the Owens Valley will begin towards the end of that time period.
  • April–June: Higher elevation blooms continue. This includes higher regions of Anza-Borrego, Death Valley, the Morongo and Yucca Valleys, Joshua Tree, and the Owens Valley.

Top Locations for Desert Wildflower Viewing in California

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park – Anza-Borrego is one of the most famous spots to view California desert wildflowers. You can find vast fields of poppies, along with desert lilies, primrose, phacelia, and wooly sunflower. You’ll also find lots of blooming cacti in the park as well. You can follow the park on Instagram and Facebook for updates during the busy bloom season.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has campgrounds that include campsites for tents and RVs. Some sites have RV hookups and dump stations. You can reserve a campsite at Reserve America. Because of the popularity of the park during the wildflower bloom, you’ll want to make your reservations as soon as you can.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve – The Antelope Valley is another well-known area for wildflower spotting. It’s an especially popular place for seeing California poppies – the state flower – and in some years the bright orange flowers blanket the hills like a scene from The Wizard of Oz. There is a $10 vehicle entrance fee for visiting the park. When you’re there, you’ll find eight miles of trails through the hills, with a paved section for wheelchairs. There are also benches along the trails and there are picnic tables available.

The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is open from March 1st through Mother’s Day, from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends. There’s also a live cam of the Poppy Reserve, so you can see the area before you even arrive. The area is often very windy in spring, so be prepared for some strong breezes. Also, watch for rattlesnakes as you walk on the trails. Listen for the telltale rattle and watch the trail as you hike. If you see a rattler, give it plenty of room and it will likely slither off on its way.

Dogs are not allowed on the trails, except for trained service animals. Pets also cannot be left in cars while you explore – the desert heat quickly makes this dangerous.

The park does not have trees or shade, so bring sun protection including a hat, long-sleeved sunshirt, and sunscreen. Bring plenty of water as well.

The reserve does not have campsites, but you’re a 45-minute drive from Saddleback Butte State Park. This state park has dump stations, showers, and restrooms. There are no electrical hookups. Pets are allowed in the camping area only. The Antelope Valley Fair Association also has an RV park that is available year-round. It has full hookups, shower and bathroom facilities, and Wi-Fi and is in nearby Lancaster.

Mojave National Preserve – The Mojave National Preserve covers more than 1.5 million acres between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, so you’ll want to plan where you go. Fortunately, there are lots of wildflowers that bloom right along the paved roads so it won’t be hard to get to them. Cima Road, Morning Star Mine Road, Kelbaker Road, and Kelso Cima Road are all great spots to look for flowers in April and May. The National Park Service also recommends checking Desert Wildflower Reports or calling The Theodore Payne Wildflower hotline for more detailed reports on where and when flowers are expected to bloom.

You can camp within the national preserve, including at undeveloped campsites near Kelbaker Road, Cima Road, and Morning Star Mine Road. These sites do not have any services. You can also camp at Mid Hills Campground or Hole-in-the-Wall Campground. These campgrounds do not have hookups, but they do have vault toilets. Hole-in-the-Wall Campground has a dump station and is more suited for RVs and trailers, although smaller rigs can use Mid Hills.

Death Valley National Park – Cacti and other desert plants bloom each spring at Death Valley, and some years there is a “super bloom” with impressive shows of flowers at the park. The best times to view wildflowers will depend on where you are in the park … and most importantly, how high up you are. As a general rule, the lower elevations have larger, showier displays than the higher altitudes.

If you’re traveling the valley floor, the best time for wildflowers will be from February to mid-April. Look for flowers on Badwater Road, Green Valley Road, Death Valley Road, and Titus Canyon Road. Also look in the area around Harmony Borax.

If you’re at mid-elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet, look for flowers from April to early May. Check out Jubilee Pass, Zabriskie Point, Furnace Creek, and Emigrant Canyon Road.

Above 4,000 feet, watch for flowers from May to mid-July in the Panamint Range area, along with Wildrose where you may see some beautiful lupine. Upper Emigrant Canyon is known for its Prince’s Plumes, and Towne Pass has Desert Globe Mallow.

If you can only visit one place, Titus Canyon and Ubehebe Crater are consistently good locations to see a variety of flowers.

There are several campgrounds at Death Valley and some have seasonal services. Keep in mind that because of Death Valley’s extreme heat, seasonal services here actually run in the winter and cooler months, rather than during the summer. Furnace Creek Campground is the most popular campground in the park, and the only NPS campground there that accepts reservations. There are full hookups, along with dry RV and tent sites. Stovepipe Wells does not have hookups, but there is a seasonal dump station.

Joshua Tree National Park – Joshua Tree National Park is known for the unique yucca succulents (technically, they’re not trees) that grow in the park. Along with seeing Joshua trees, you’ll find a variety of flowering cacti and desert flowers during the spring. Skull Rock Trail has some nice spots to view wildflowers near the trail parking lot, and the Cottonwood and South Entrance area is a great spot for early-season flowers. The Cholla Cactus Garden is worth a visit just for the cacti, but you’ll also see wildflowers along the northern road. Hidden Valley and Indian Cove are also nice spots to view flowers.

There are many campgrounds inside the park, including Cottonwood Campground which is reservation only. It has potable water and flush toilets, but there are no hookups. Indian Cove Campground has vault toilets but no water. The closest water bottle and jug filling station is at the ranger station two miles away. There is an RV-filling station at the headquarters in Twentynine Palms. The campground does have vault toilets.

Carrizo Plain National Monument – Carrizo Plain National Monument is just a few hours from Los Angeles, but the nature and solitude in the area might make you feel like you’re in a completely different world. Peak blooms in this area happen in April and May, and you might see daisies, goldfields, Tidy Tips, phacelia, Baby Blue Eyes, fiddlenecks, and other colorful flowers.

Some of the best places to spot blooms at the monument include the corner of Highway 58 and Seven Mile Road, the Soda Lake Area, and Temblor Range.

There are lots of BLM camping areas at the monument. Selby Campground, Mt. Pinos Campground, and McGill Campground are all primitive areas where you can camp. There are no hookups, but there are vault toilets.

Best Ways to Experience the Wildflower Bloom

Photography Tips

Want to photograph these beautiful flowers? Here are a few tips to get some great pictures.

Equipment

Use a close-focusing or macro lens to capture the tiny details of flowers. Bring a tripod that can get low to the ground. Consider bringing a reflector to bounce light around.

Camera Settings

For sharp photos, use narrow apertures like f/11-f/16. Use a manual focus to give you more control. For more artistic effects, use a wider aperture like f/2.8-f/4. Focus on specific flower details and create soft-focus backgrounds.

Lighting

If possible, shoot when it’s overcast for more even, less harsh lighting. Shoot in the early morning before sunlight is harsh. Consider using a reflector and fill flash.

Composition

Try different angles. Get down to flower level and very close for detailed photos. Take wide landscape photos to capture the sweeping views of wildflowers. Try close-ups of flowers with mountains or scenery in the background.

Travel Tips for a Successful Wildflower Trip

  • Check Bloom Forecasts: Check California wildflower hotlines like Desert Wildflower Reports or The Theodore Payne Wildflower hotline. You can also check the website for the national park or reserve you’re visiting – often during wildflower season, they’ll have their own updates as well.
  • Leave No Trace: Pack out any garbage you have from your visit. Stick to developed trails so you don’t damage the delicate ecosystem where these plants live. Do not pick any wildflowers. Check whether the area you’re visiting allows pets. If not, do not plan to leave pets in your car – California desert heat is very dangerous for them.
  • What to Pack: Many of these desert areas are hot and do not have shade. Pack long-sleeved, sun-protective clothing, a wide-brim hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from harsh desert sun. Bring lots of water. Bring healthy snacks with protein, along with hydrating snacks like fruit.
  • Weather: Spring in the California desert can be very windy. Be ready for high winds, and pull down any tents, outdoor awnings, and other outdoor furniture that could blow away while you’re out. Spring is also rainy season, and desert areas are prone to flash floods. Check weather reports, camp in higher areas, and watch for heavy rains when you hike or drive.
  • Terrain: You can see wildflowers from developed, paved roads, but there are many unpaved roads and even off-roading opportunities in some desert areas. These will require 4-wheel drive vehicles or OHVs that you can bring along in a toy hauler for a fun day of driving. If you are hiking, expect rocky, uneven terrain. Bring sturdy hiking boots and comfortable socks to avoid blisters.

The unexpected beauty of California’s wildflowers is a wonderful thing to witness. In the midst of the stark, seemingly barren desert, you’ll find a riot of color and flowers if you visit at just the right time of year. As someone who has witnessed the cactus blooms and wildflower blooms personally, I’d share it with everyone if I could.

If you RV and camp in permitted BLM areas or designated campgrounds, pack out your trash, and stick to the trails and roads, these flowers can continue to grow and hopefully be there to delight the generations that come after us to witness this amazing phenomenon.

Tags: California geo-ca rv camping
Laura Falin
Laura is a freelance writer in Colorado. She has written for publications and websites including BabyCenter, Colorado Parent Magazine, and Denver Parent. Her background is in broadcast journalism, and she was an assignment editor and worked in TV news in Los Angeles for ten years before moving to Colorado. She loves hiking, paddle boarding, camping, and snowboarding, and she has run exactly one marathon. Her favorite part of writing for RVshare is giving people tips and resources to explore the outdoors in whatever way they are able. She now lives in Littleton, Colorado with her husband and four children. They love exploring the state and the rest of the U.S., and they are pros at 20-hour road trips.

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