Last fall’s heavy rainfall throughout California has led to speculation around possible superblooms in parts of the region. While there is no guarantee this will happen, officials are already preempting a huge influx of wildflower-seekers in the coming weeks. As a result, have put new measures in place to avoid a repeat of the damage and chaos seen during the 2019 bloom.
On Tuesday, February 7, The City of Lake Elsinore in partnership with Riverside County have announced a hard closure of all key bloom sites. Access to trails and parking will be completely prohibited over the next several weeks. This will avoid any nightmarish traffic jams and excessive trampling that will inevitably lead to a “poppy apocalypse.”
Popular areas like Walker Canyon with hillsides covered in poppies already have a “zero-tolerance” order in place for any visitors and vehicles, without exception.
Here are the superbloom closures currently in place as of February 7, 2023:
- Walker Canyon trail
- All parking within and surrounding Walker Canyon
- Walker Canyon Road access at Lake Street
- California Highway Patrol requests that motorists keep the freeway shoulders open for emergencies only
- RSO will be citing and towing vehicles parked illegally
While these bloom closures are in place, you can still safely view the canyons through the “poppy cam” here.