Go 'Smell The Poppies' In Riverside County: New Trail Opens Friday

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — It's time to stop and smell the flowers in Riverside County. Residents and visitors seeking an up-close look at rich flower blooms as winter loosens its grip can get their first glimpse Friday around Diamond Valley Lake, where the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will open the "Wildflower Trail."

Known as the The Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail, it is scheduled to officially open to trekkers at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Rangers will close it at 4:30 p.m. Afterward, the 1.3-mile path will be available for use Wednesdays to Sundays during the same hours. Starting March 8, access will be permitted until 5:30 p.m.

Trailhead parking passes run $11, and the trail access fee is $4.

"Thanks to the late fall and early winter storms, colorful blooms are already dotting the hillsides above the reservoir," the MWD said in a statement Wednesday. "Visitors can typically expect to see vibrant California poppies, deep blue arroyo lupines, purple Canterbury bells, yellow rancher's fiddleneck, delicate white popcorn flowers and pink red maids."

The poppy blooms are enormously popular. In 2019, blossoms carpeting hillsides around Lake Elsinore triggered so much attention that Interstate 15 became a virtual parking lot over several weekends. Lake Elsinore has since worked to implement more strict road and trail closures in the name of public safety. In 2026, however, no Lake Elsinore roadway closures are planned, according to a city spokesperson.

Anza Borrego is seeing its share of wildflowers in 2026, however. With the rapid warming weather, the desert wildflowers are bursting, according to the Anza Borrego Foundation. They released a wildflower viewing map for those who want to head to the desert to photograph and see the blooms.

Near Diamond Valley Lake, however, the vast Judy Abdo Wildflower Trail abutting Diamond Valley Lake is part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve, encompassing 9,000 acres of protected space.

This pathway runs in a loop and can be accessed from the DVL Marina parking area, near the intersection of Domenigoni and Searl parkways, according to the MWD.

"It's rated as an easy-to-moderate hike with some rugged terrain," the MWD stated. "Along the route, visitors are treated not only to seasonal colors but also panoramic views of the Southland's largest drinking water reservoir."

The agency emphasized that hikers must obey all the rules of the preserve.

"Wildflowers must not be picked, and guests are asked to remain on designated trails to protect sensitive habitat and wildlife," according to the MWD. "Rattlesnakes are common in the area, particularly during warmer months, and hikers should remain alert."

Rangers will close access on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Additional information is available at www.dvmarina.com

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