WILDFLOWER SEASON
in Red Rock Canyon
Wildflower season at Red Rock Canyon can be a spectacular thing to behold. During a good season — meaning ample rains during the fall and the lack of a sudden heat wave; Red Rock is painted with purples, yellows, golds, pinks, and a variety of other colors.
Commonly you can find many species of desert wildflowers in the area; such as, Mojave Aster, Monkey Flowers, Yellow Primrose, Indigo Bush, and the exotic looking Desert Trumpet, to just name a few.
Wildflower season is generally from mid-March through April and into May. Occasionally, on really good years it can extend into June if weather is still mild.
During this time you can find flowers throughout all of the park. Some areas are often better for wildflower viewing than others, it is strictly dependent on weather and pollination restrictions. It is always a good idea to check in with the Visitor Center, or the Wildflower Hotline ((661)724-1180), to determine the best viewing areas of the season.
In past years the common areas for best viewing have been Ricardo Nature Trail in Ricardo Campground and Visitor Center Parking area. Hagen Canyon, ¾ of a mile south east of the Visitor Center just before reaching Highway 14. Red Cliffs Preserve 1/3 of a mile south of Abbott Drive on Highway 14. Red Rooster, roughly 1 mile south of Abbott Drive, you can only enter Red Rooster are going southbound; there is not accessible turn for northbound individuals.
Wildflowers
Yellow: Bigelows Coreopsis; California Coreopsis; Red Rock Tarweed; Goldfields; Desert Dandelion; Slender Keel-fruit ; Red Rock Poppy.
Purple: Mojave Aster; Desert Lupine; Indigo Bush; Red-stemmed Filaree; Lacy Phacelia; Desert Five-spot.
White: Desert Alyssum; Forget-Me-Nots
Red/Orange: Apricot Mallow; Desert Paintbrush; Desert Mariposa Lily
