Walker Canyon

Poppy super bloom happening now (date: March 11 2019). The view is amazing. Parking is along the walker canyon road shoulder. First come first available basis. Public mobile toilets by the trail entrance. Make sure arrive early, there are two entrances to the walker canyon road loop trail that leads you into the world of poppies. The trail is about 4 miles. Lots of people at either entrance. But after 1-2 miles into the trail, people are thinning out and you really get to enjoy the poppy, the view and the nature. Bring a pair of good hiker shoes, water and snacks with you. No water/toilets on the trail. The rangers are working and patrolling constantly to keep people safe and off the flower field. Please respect and preserve the view for everyone and not to walk into the flower field.

Came here for super bloom California puppies after a rainy season. It's the most blooming dessert wildflowers scene in the past 20 years. Not much hike. It's more just for a walk, but the dirt itself has no grip. I'd recommend people to wear hiking shoes for safety. Parking space is very limited. You can park on both sides of the street. If you come during blooming season, expect for a short walk. Just a reminder tho, wildflowers are extremely fragile. Please stay on the trail and avoid stepping on them, so other people can enjoy the natural beauty.

I recently visited Walker Canyon on a weekday and was disappointed by the road closures on Lake exit on Freeway 15. Although this year was expected to have a super bloom, the Lake Ave exit on 15 was closure and the road block to Walker Canyon presented very unpleasant experience for us. Don’t understand why the city is doing that since this is a public hill and the wild flowers are there the enjoyment of the public not for the few from the local government. However, I was still able to see patches of poppies by driving a road parallel to the freeway and going up the hill next to Walker Canyon. The California poppies were blooming in patches everywhere, but I would recommend waiting for another month and some more rain for a full bloom experience. Despite the inconvenience, I still enjoy coming to Walker Canyon to see the wails flowers.

It is absolutely beautiful here during the poppy blossoms. Gets touristy and crowded but with so much land and trails, your bound to find a nook to make your own. Be respectful and do not tread on the flowers or pick them to bring home. We did our best to stay on the trails or to only step on portions that had been walked on by others. The hills are covered with flowers. You really can't explain it. Definitely worth visiting more than once. I'd come every season if I could. Disclaimer: The attached photos are from last year. We haven’t been out there yet in 2022 but we are very much looking forward to it:)

Great and easy hiking trail. Anyone can go here and see beautiful poppy flowers. Go around 11:30-2:30pm. Hopefully the sun is out and these flowers are in full bloom. Spectacular views and great photo memories.

Poppies are beginning to bloom at Walker Canyon Poppy Fields/Trails (February 28, 2022). However, unlike 2019, there will be no superbloom this year due to lack of rain (or very little rain) in January and February 2022.

Must see!!!! We came on Tuesday after all the craziness and road closings. We found parking near by and there were not tons of people. The place is absolutely breathtaking. Unforgettable experience. I spent there about 4 hours. Sooooo beautiful!!!

Definitely one of the best places to visit to witness the super bloom. But be prepared to brave the hoards of people and good luck trying to find parking. But please, whatever you do, don’t go off the designated trails, trample the flowers or pick them for a photograph. The Instagram likes isn’t worth it.

林徽因說～任何東西都可被替代。愛情，往事，記憶，失望，時間......都可以被替代。但是你不能無力自拔～ 今年南加的雨水真的實在是異常豐沛，從16 歲來到現在， 記憶中下最多雨的一年， 所以滿山遍谷的野花， 真的是搖曳多姿呀，看到一堆美到無法形容的花海，本來要去 Diamond Valley Lake 拍花的， 啊去的時間太晚， 人家公園關了， 一趟路是一個半小時一程，還好 旁邊的城市 Perris 也有美美可以看花的地方，啊不同的攝影師， 效果真的差很大‍‍，有拍就好，下次要再看到這種美景，又不知要幾年後了～

I recently visited Walker Canyon on a weekday and was disappointed by the road closures on Lake exit on Freeway 15. Although this year was expected to have a super bloom, the Lake Ave exit on 15 was closure and the road block to Walker Canyon presented very unpleasant experience for us. Don't understand why the city is doing that since this is a public hill and the wild flowers are there the enjoyment of the public not for the few from the local government. However, I was still able to see patches of poppies by driving a road parallel to the freeway and going up the hill next to Walker Canyon. The California poppies were blooming in patches everywhere, but I would recommend waiting for another month and some more rain for a full bloom experience. Despite the inconvenience, I still enjoy coming to Walker Canyon to see the wails flowers.

Amazing views and a great trail to walk on... Unfortunately when there's puppies people tend to accumulate and have heavy crowds

It is absolutely beautiful here during the poppy blossoms. Gets touristy and crowded but with so much land and trails, your bound to find a nook to make your own. Be respectful and do not tread on the flowers or pick them to bring home. We did our best to stay on the trails or to only step on portions that had been walked on by others. The hills are covered with flowers. You really can't explain it. Definitely worth visiting more than once. I'd come every season if I could. Disclaimer: The attached photos are from last year. We haven't been out there yet in 2022 but we are very much looking forward to it:)

Walker Canyon Trailhead is temporarily closed. I saw that the exit off of 15 freeway to the lake street is closed. Check it online before you go there. There are still plenty of the wild flowers that you can enjoy but to go to the trail check their website first as Yelp won't show you the Temporarily closed sign. Unbelievable, The city of Lake Elsinore has shut the State property down because of the poppy bloom. It appears the city hired three county sheriffs deputies to give tickets and tow cars . So you can add two miles to the hike and park at the Alberhill Sports Park but the trail is open. That is why I-rated it a one. This is why Lake Elsinore is what it is. This is a beautiful area with a lot of potential if managed correctly.

Great for mountain biking and hiking. Although it's mostly open space, depending on the time of year, you'll see wild flowers and running springs. Great place for testing your endurance on a bike and climbing as you'll experience a bit of a challenging hill depending on where you enter Have fun!

"Closed" "Public Safety Crisis" Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve is a victim of its own success. The 2019 super bloom brought tens of thousands of tourists to the area, all eager to influence their Insta-followers with gorgeous photos of themselves against a backdrop of Mother Nature's bountiful display. (A few, I assume, were good people.) In the process, flowers were trampled, new trails were formed, and now the place has ugly brown patches where plants have been killed. As I type this, the city had to close down the entire area because of the unruly mob. One city worker actually got hit by a car. Of course, most of the time, WCER is just a great place for hiking, seeing wildlife, and experiencing nature. The wildflowers were lovely, and we got a good hike in when we visited, but humans disrespecting nature was the wildlife that we witnessed. Please, whether or not the flowers are in bloom, stay on the trails so that the flora don't get decimated and we can all enjoy the display.

We went on Saturday (3/9/19). No doubt it was beautiful especially since it was our first time seeing anything like this and I'm glad I went. The reason I am giving it 4 and not 5 stars is because of how busy it was and how frustrating it is to see people not respect the adage of leave no trace when hiking. Most people didn't look like they were actually hikers and were people who were just there for the pictures to post on social media. Parking- we got there pretty early (about 7:30 am) and we had to park half a mile away from the trailhead...when we left at 9:00 parking was way worse and traffic there was a long line of cars on the 15 waiting to exit and it was a mad house Trail- it is a wide trail up the mountain and was the most crowded in the first half mile and you will see plenty of people going off trail and trampling the poppies in this area with no regard to the signs to not do this; we went about 1.5 miles up the trail before deciding to turn around and head back down...not sure how long the trail goes on for; it is beautiful to see the colors but just be prepared for large crowds...of course go on weekdays or go early on the weekends to avoid the larger crowds

Superbloom! It's all the craze! I mean, I've heard the term before but never really experienced it like I did recently. And with the strange amount of rain we've been having it was only destiny for me to prance among the bountiful and beautiful blooms of poopies and other wild flowers at Walker Canyon. So many people. The masses of folks all wanting to see it, to be a part of it and to capture this almost once in a lifetime experience. I say pack a lunch, a bottle of vino, some comfortable shoes and come early to enjoy the wonderful views.

Beautiful place for the poppy bloom. Fields were covered with mostly orange because of the rain. Traffic to Lake Exit - not so fun. I didn't understand why some drivers formed a line on the shoulder because thats what caused traffic to occur. Plus some got cranky when I went down the normal lane to go to the exit and basically fought their way with their cars when I proceeded to the exit. There's a lane for a reason...but guess it's to prevent cutting? After we exited on the Lake exit which took around 30-45 minutes, we found parking halfway around the corner and walked towards the Hill of Abraham. That side has the same amount of flowers as the main one which everyone goes to, plus it links to it if you keep walking up. They also have parking on the other side of the freeway and you could just walk over afterwards. The first couple of bathrooms you go to, they do pack up quite the load in the afternoon and it's hard to go in them. The ones in the middle may not be so bad as normally people go to the first they see. Some flowers do indeed get trampled, and I felt kind of bad for the rangers who were trying to protect the fields but there were many visitors who really wanted to get the perfect instagram/fb/social media picture. You could tell from pictures from those inside the fields. So I kind of have mixed feelings. I think if possible they should make some areas for photo taking spots so it would deter more people from climbing up to take the 'perfect shot.' For some of the ones I took, majority were right off the trail and on a rock. Or they were already stamped on.

Gorgeous! So cool to have this super bloom so close by! It's been really busy and there are a lot of visitors coming to check the poppies out! Make sure you respect parking and park where allowed. ***Do not pick the flowers! Stay on main trails! Respect signs and stay off closed areas!*** Sadly I saw people go off the trails and sit on flowers and I saw kids picking the petals off the flowers. You can sit on the little trails and still get perfect pictures without having to get in there. Otherwise great place to check out, get outdoors, and take a walk at!

Photos don't do it justice. You just have to see it with your own eyes. But... you will likely encounter a crowd although if you go in the middle of the week, it won't be so bad. Yes, there was a line of cars getting off the freeway. The lot was full but you can park off the side of the road and walk a little to get to the trailhead. For me, it was about 15-minute walk. Bring protection from the sun as there isn't much shade at all and make sure you bring enough hydration if you plan to go for the full hike, less than 5 miles roundtrip (out and back). Most people will stay in the lower area so I recommend walking further up to get away from the crowds. Also, I find the flowers nicer up there. If you utilize the shuttle on the weekends, you'll need $10. Bring cash for the ice cream truck because you just may need some cooling down like I did. I underestimated the weather. Maybe when I look up Lake Elsinore in the weather forecast, it's in the city area. It was or at least felt much warmer in the hills. Please for the love of Mother Nature, stay on trail and don't get into the flowers. It's upsetting when you see the areas where people have laid down in. I even saw crushed poppies. Make sure you tell the traffic control officers how much you appreciate them!

This is a nice place to visit, especially at the cusp of when winter turns to spring around March when the California Golden State Poppies bloom. Parking can be rough and difficult, where you'll walk a lot. FYI - If you hike up the mountain, there's an area a short little bit from the base where there's a gate that hikers can walk around that can be locked, where it covers the entire span of the width of the road and would prohibit people with Wheelchairs or using Strollers (or wagons) from continuing up, unless they were able to lift it over the gate, or it's small enough to fit between the top and bottom bars, or it's light enough to lift to the side off the road. So, be prepared to encounter this as a possible road block to your adventure. It's a nice place to come to however, and it's a beautiful novice level hiking trail

Ok month late review. Amazing!!!! This had been touted as the best Superbloom in years and it does not disappoint. We went the first weekend at sunrise before the big shutdown and wow was it worth it. After enjoying a nice hike, we were met with hordes of people entering the park upon exiting. They all had to be shuttled in although we had street parking along the road due to our early arrival. The city was doing the best they could to direct traffic and handle the crowds but the record setting attendance was definitely out of control. PLEASE do not hurt nature to get your perfect photo. It was terrible to see so many people picking flowers and trampling over them for the perfect shot. So many influencers were here with their crew of photographers and whatever the other people do. I think the crowds have died but the Superbloom is still in full effect with vibrant colors. Go and enjoy and soak it in!

I did my research before coming here and prepared for the worst. (I heard there were fist fights the weekend prior :O!) It wasn't that bad. I made sure I slept enough, had plenty of snacks and water, and dressed in layers. I went on Saturday and by then, the shuttles had risen to $10 and were mandatory. I arrived at 7:42am and didn't get into a line to get onto the bus till almost 9am. My friend said that they shuttles started at 6:30am but from the looks of it, they didn't even start taking people's money till 8am. The wait for the shuttle back was HORRIFIC. They should've spread out the crowds going to the Red and Blue lots a whole lot better in the morning. As I walked past the ticket booth back at the parking lots, I could hear them saying that they should divert the traffic to the blue lot because there were just too many people waiting for the red lot shuttles to come back. Seeing the 30 odd people waiting for a shuttle to go to the trail, I doubt they needed to do that THIS late in the game. Most of the crowds were already at the trail. As a suggestion, I feel like they should probably remind people on the shuttle ride to the trail that they shouldn't be picking flowers or trampling them just to get that perfect photo. Oh! And maybe have someone selling water near the trail opening? And maybe some snacks with little, to no, chance for litter. I'd definitely recommend this right now for the superbloom. The flowers were amazing! And the trails were easy enough. I would just bring a lot of patience and a good attitude. Oh...and snacks, LOTS of snacks and water =)

This place is beyond beautiful! I went here for the super bloom and boy was I blown away by the poppy flowers, lilacs and other flowers. I came here at around 1pm; it was a tad bit warm but I made sure to bring a water bottle ! It was a great hike and a great place to take photos! Just make sure that you stay on the trail and do not stomp on the flowers as they have seeds that will help cultivate the next bloom. The traffic issues wasn't that bad. For me, I parked about 10 minutes from the beginning of the reserve (near the Interstate 15 South Freeway) and there were a lot of friendly crossing guards. Pro-tip: please do not trample or stomp on the flowers. It's not respectful of nature and could affect future blooms.

This park is absolutely beautiful, poppies or not. The hills are gorgeous and the trails are super nice and clean. I usually see a lot of people walking their dogs. During the super bloom, the crowds do get a little crazy, so I'd recommend going early morning on a weekday. We went in early March, I think we got there around 8:30am and there was plenty of parking. It was cool because there are both orange poppies and purple flowers.

Called in May 2023 and they are closed. Police are not allowing anyone to visit. 2 years ago the superblooms screwed up everything. Traffic was awful and many people received citations for parking everywhere and blocking traffic. Since then Walker Canyon has been closed. Appears they will reopen in a couple months after all the wild flowers have died and it will be 102 degrees in July. Thanks Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve and the thousands of people who just can't follow rules like the rest of society.

Have been to Walker Canyon twice when there was a superbloom and there's no better place to see the wildflowers. These photos were taken mid March 2019.

March 22, 2019 Update #2: Weekend goers must take the shuttles off Nichols Road to Walker Canyon: South Bound I-15 to park at Lake Elsinore Outlets 17600 Collier Ave, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 North Bound I-15 to park at Dirt Parking Lot 10000 Nichols Road, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 No parking will be available near the trail. Shuttles will run from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cost is now $10 (cash/credit/debit accepted) per person (3 and under free and must sit on adult's lap). No pets, except for service animals, will be allowed on the shuttles. The last shuttle to the canyon will leave at 5 pm. The final returning shuttle will depart at 7 pm. Road closures will be in effect. Shuttles will only run on weekends. Wait times could exceed 2.5 hours. If traffic gets too crazy, the canyon may be shutdown again. Just a heads up. To see full details and current updates, check the city's website: http://www.lake-elsinore.org/Home/Components/News/News/3633/26

We came Sunday around 9:30am and was surprised the parking overflow started on the west side of Lake St. on the other side of the freeway. Glad we parked here and not to try find parking along Walker Canyon. Exiting was easier for us to return back to Corona. Unfortunately it was kinda overcast and the poppies didn't open by the time we left at 11:30am. It's considered easy hike but there are areas where there are inclines and not flat all the way. Pack water and snacks and pack it back out. Take plenty of pictures and be courteous. Do not bring anybody that cannot walk on uneven dirt road. Saw many people sitting in their cars waiting for others to return. Advise to come very early for good parking on Walker Canyon and pack goodies to eat in the car. There are no benches or a place to rest unless you are willing to sit on dirt. Dog owners, lease law is in effect and that means you pack your doggie poo back with you and not tossed along the path. That is not showing responsibility. It was so disgusting to see people to go off the trail and letting their dogs dig. And humans picking poppies too!!! This place needs some kind of traffic enforcement and control. Some one in government needs to step up here cause there were over 30mins of the Southbound exit of cars just sitting and not going anywhere.

Hubby and I were driving past Lake Elsinore on our way to Temecula, when we spotted these beautiful poppies in the hills right off the 15 freeway! We were so lucky that there's a great super bloom going on with all the rain socal has been getting lately. DIRECTIONS: From 15N take Lake St exit, and turn right. At the corner of Lake Street and Walker Canyon Road, there's a trail you can take that leads you uphill. Park on Walker Canyon Road. TRAIL: The trail is wide with lots of rocks and gravel. We made it about 2 miles up, took some pictures, and then went down. Please don't just pull over on the freeway to get here. It's very dangerous and slows down traffic. Also, please be careful not to step on any poppies!

Superbloom '19 What are you waiting for? GO! End of this haiku Ok in all seriousness, I missed the superbloom two years ago so we ventured over recently to Walker Canyon, and all I can say is... WOW!!!!!!! Never have I ever seen anything like this. If you're coming from I-15S, exit Lake St, turn right, and then turn left immediately into the designated event parking lot (free). If you're coming from I-15N, exit Lake St, then left, continue straight past the overpass, and then turn left into the event parking lot. Do not turn the other way, otherwise you'll be stuck in traffic for over an hour trying to get off the highway and trying to find street parking. Note, the four portapotties in the event parking lot are the nearest facilities. Once you get to the trail, just keep walking! We noticed the crowds thinned out around 1.5 miles in. Just keep walking, there's miles and miles of poppies left for you to enjoy for yourself!

Spring is around the corner and already California Poppies are blooming in the millions. They are easily visible when you drive south bound on the 15 FWY towards Lake Elsinore. To watch the best spot of the most gorgeous wildflowers, take the Lake St exit on the 15 FWY once you are in the Lake Elsinore area. Make a left when you exit and park at any open space after you get to the north side of the 15 FWY. Ppl say that they will stop blooming in about a few months, so it gets super back on the weekends. It may take about 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic if you are traveling from LA. I hate traffic but i have to say this was worth it since we had so much rain this past winter. The hike is super easy and anyone can do it. There are no shades during the hike. So make sure you wear plenty of sunblock, bring a hat or just get there early enough to avoid the heat. There is only 1 dirt road that takes you further into the valley. I strongly advise that you walk 1 mile in before you start taking pictures. The farther you walk, the more vast wildflowers you will see. I always wonder why the golden poppies are the California's state flower. But now I am amazed by all the beauty and such a hidden gem in Lake Elsinore. This is a great spot for engagement, wedding, family, or portrait pictures. You will be able to enjoy about 3 hours of walk, taking tons of priceless pictures, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

The hills are alive with California poppies!! It was a beautiful day to take a drive to this beautiful location after receiving so much rain. The poppies are in bloom! The mountains look like an orange carpet from the freeway as you are driving in. We thought if we went in the morning it wouldn't be so crowded. We were wrong! Everyone must have had the same idea as there were thousands of people there and the traffic was bumper to bumper for a few miles. Once you take the off ramp to the area, it took us 30 minutes. We first went right. We had 2 small children with us, so we hoped for a parking space close by. It didn't happen. So we turned around and someone told us to go under the freeway and park on the other side. As we were turning around, there was a VERY long line of people who were waiting to use the out houses! This Park could definitely use some public toilets! The traffic was so tight, cars parked on both sides of the street, and still no place for us. We continued at a snails pace and crossed over under the freeway. It was bumper to bumper on both sides of the street. We were feeling it might be better to leave until I noticed a small area where we could squeeze in our car to park. Yay! We walked all the way to the trailhead and pushed the stroller up the hill. It was nice that we could use a stroller, however, it's very steep! 1/2 up the hill there was a closed gate that you could climb over or walk through. People were nice and helped us get the stroller through. I'm just wondering why didn't the park just open the gate knowing that thousands are coming to see the poppies? I was also disappointed that no one was controlling the traffic and parking! However, even after all the driving and parking frustrations, once out on the trail, it was worth it! The poppies are so beautiful this year, it was a beautiful day, and the area was clean. There are many areas available for photo opportunities! I highly recommend, go early, and avoid weekends if possible! I hope to be back again next year!!

i normally don't care for super blooms because my allergies are off the roof during spring, but hubs and i were en route to temecula and i told him IF the crowd, parking, and traffic isn't crazy i would be willing to stop by. all i can say is, i can't imagine what this place looks like on the weekends when the wkday is already crazy. thank goodness we got in and out of walker canyon fairly quickly with ease, and i thought the pre-trail situation was manageable. i think the city can do a better job managing the expected crowds, traffic, and cars, as well as staffing employees that can keep everyone civilized and obey traffic and trail rules. the mayor of lake elsinore was there doing a segment talking about the poppy apocalypse like he was mourning over someone's death. i get it, it's bad, but still, no one knew where lake elsinore was until these poppies, you should be glad you're not paying billions in pr fee. but still, thank you city of lake elsinore for providing free parking as well as free access to the trails :) all i can say is, i've never seen so many elderly asians hiking in my life. all i can say is, shame on those who picked and trampled flowers. the abundance of ig photos of people laying on beds of crushed flowers irks me and make me cringe. oh, and to the little girl who thought it's cute to pick a poppy, shame on your parents. anyways, enough of the poppy shaming, this is the society we live in, a bunch of dumb f*s who need to get a clue. there are other local superblooms (e.g. anza, antelope valley, or chino hills), y'all don't have to ride the same hype train.

Such a beautiful sight to see during spring. Traffic is crazy both directions of the 15 but well worth the wait. So much open space to roam and take pictures! Whether you're a model or not, the poppy will makw you look amazing. I'll be back again for sure next year. If you have allergies, be sure to brings meds.

Ok before you lay into me about crowds, human instagram meerkats, parking or whatever- let me say that we got lucky when we went there. We went there early on, when the news just barely started talking about it and there was still parking next to the entrance. We also ran into traffic but it wasn't nearly as bad as the news is saying it is now. We allllllso got lucky (apparently we used all our luck here because we lost at the casino later) with parking, because just as I was starting to get frustrated a spot open up right near the entrance. So all that being said we got to enjoy the absolute beauty of the place without most of the headaches, hence the five stars! Now that the griping is out the way- the place itself is amazing! The flowers and the views were really nice! If you can make there, without too much hassle, let's say on a Wednesday afternoon not a Saturday, I say do it! The hike is gentle so you get a little exercise and you can bring the whole family, get some fresh air, witness color and beauty not seen too often, and get to take a lot beautiful pictures! There are a lot more restrictions now so maybe go onto he Lake Elsinore website for more information, and look for more recent Yelp reviews than mine for more inside... I can only say it is absolutely beautiful and worth it if you can make it!

Came by here March 21, 2017 super bloom year, on a cold day and all the poppies were closed. So happened to be driving up this way and decided to stop by. Still was able to see a lot of wishbone bush, blue dicks and closed up poppies. I would not have known of this park's existence for not it being widely telecast on the TV. 2 weeks later, we came by and all the poppies were gone and the Brittle weeds were in full bloom. Good place to stop by during the poppy season.

Thanks to all the rain, the poppies are out in all its glory! Take lake street exit on the 15 and turn left. Park and walk up the unpaved hill if you want a hike or keep driving towards the back until you see poppies just on the hill right by the parked cars if you just want pics. Just please, don't act like an ass and pick the flowers for a bouquet or anything! You can still get beautiful photos if you stay on the dirt and try to be careful where you step.

This low review is solely for the crowd control implemented on weekends to visit the poppy super blooms. In terms of place and blooms - this place truly is unique and amazing. I've never seen a mountain covered in so many flowers like this. Is it worth the line? There was a 35 minute line to take the shuttle over, which is reasonable, but an ASTRONOMICAL 2 HOUR LINE on the way as the exit to the canyon is blocked off on weekends and everyone arriving is forced to take a shuttle back. According to the police patrolling and blocking the exits, there is no way to walk out of the radius to take an Uber, so you are forced to line up the mountain (bc there are SO many people and the buses are pretty small and infrequent) to take the shuttle down. There is no shade or food available, so make sure you plan accordingly! I felt like I had a glimpse of the Fyre fest. Please see the photos I've added! Tl;dr in my opinion, this experience netted to zero for me. The astronomical waits and the feeling of being stranded takes away most of the magic. My advice: come on a weekday, or be prepared to wait in lines for longer than you spend looking at poppies.

So pretty! Came here during the tail end of the Superbloom and had a blast! There was quite a bit of parking on the road (PROTIP: as you approach the entrance, turn right and go down, then pop a U-turn to park facing the entrance). Tons of people, but as we hiked further up, there was literally no one. Pretty decent hike to the top (my tracker tracked me at ~45 floors), and the views are amazing. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/walker-canyon-ecological-reserve-lake-elsinore?select=hKx7KPAStYhTUzFrMb-Meg&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/walker-canyon-ecological-reserve-lake-elsinore?select=2QmX-mnii2gphyI_7MO-8A&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/walker-canyon-ecological-reserve-lake-elsinore?select=37oW38N6X9eNx3n5cWa5cQ&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/walker-canyon-ecological-reserve-lake-elsinore?select=R4jIxROYcnglLFqZ4Gd14Q&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg

It's super bloom season again at Walker Canyon and hordes of people have descended upon Lake Elsinore's hills to see the California poppies and other wildflowers that the winter rains brought forth. Luckily my husband and I were there about three weeks ago before the crowds really overtook the 15 freeway and surrounding streets near Walker Canyon. The Canyon was shut down this past weekend due to traffic jams and mistreatment of the blooms. We first visited the reserve when the flowers were blooming two years ago and once again on 3.2.19. It was a rainy morning, but the sun came out long enough for us to do a short hike and admire the blooms FROM THE TRAILS. If you go, do not sit on the flowers, do not pluck the flowers, do not step on the flowers- stay on the trails! There is a way to enjoy nature with respect and not leave a trace. If the area gets shut down again, don't blame it on the flowers--it's being done to preserve them, restore order to the neighborhood, and give the residents some relief from the flower crowds.

Crowded? Definitely! Worth it? Absolutely! Crowded is an understatement.. be prepared to deal with the traffic buildup and trying to find parking. Most people parked off the road, which is a bit of a walking distance but not too far. The entrance is really crowded, a good 15 minutes in and it's still pretty crowded but it starts to disburse the further you go in the trail. Pups are welcome on a leash. Keep going and it gets better! I promise. Superbloom is waiting for you, just gooooooo!

***Update*** The poppies are now open with minimal parking available, and shuttles that take you from Lake Elsinore outlets to Walter Canyon. If you plan to walk, it will be about 3 miles to get there from the outlets. In case you don't want to deal with the madness, check out the following 10 places that aren't as crowded: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Wildflowers-California-Poppies-Bloom-Plants-507308211.html A less than stellar experience visiting the blooms on a Saturday. I listened to fellow Yelpers to park on Lake Street, and found that driving north on Lake Elsinore and turning right on Lake (heading east) was a terrible recommendation. Lake was closed by police officers who forced motorists to drive all the way back down to the 74 and towards the outlets. Once we made it to the outlets around 2pm, we sat in traffic for another 1.5 hours, without making it to Lake Street. Horrible traffic control, with unnecessary redirects. Even the shuttle buses that pick up at the Lake Elsinore outlets were driving against traffic because it was at a standstill. All in all, a very confusing situation. My husband and I turned around because traffic was simply unbearable, and given the recent developments, no access to Walter Canyon will be provided to anyone while the poppies are still there. Terrible time to love nature!

A good hilly hike trail and in feb to early April you will see the beautiful super blooms off the 15. It is beautiful and so many great colors and pictures. Parking is free and the hill is a good brisk walk.

The City of Lake Elisinore does a great job of trying to manage crowds during peak times like weekends during Super Bloom. Their instagram page is updated with parking suggestions/restrictions. We were able to go during a weekday so parking wasn't tough for us but I saw that on subsequent weekends the city arranged to have off site parking with shuttle service. These are small two lane streets so they did their best to keep them from getting overly congested. As for the trail, very easy to manage, great views from the start. We saw several dogs on the trail, and although the path is unpaved there appeared to be several strollers that were being pushed with ease.

Enjoyed visiting the poppies! Couldn't believe how many poppies among other wildflowers are in these hills! The thing that bothered me so much is seeing all these damn people laying on the wildflowers, creating social trails, and picking the wildflowers! It was super sad and at the same time frustrating! Some people clearly have no respect for mother nature. I was hoping all these people disrespecting the wildflowers would get bit by a rattlesnake! Apparently, some people did! It was the best karma! :) Thankfully, my friends and I went before they shutdown and started charging an entrance fee, limited parking spaces, and stopped allowing animals on the trails. I hope people that now have to pay to visit the poppies will have more respect for nature! Only one can hope...

I came here for the super bloom and was not disappointed. It definitely lived up to and exceeded the hype. I felt like I was on a better earth. I got there at sunrise and it was pleasant with only a few early birds. Unfortunately, when the crowds showed up about 10:30, many were not very respectful of the ecosystem and were trampeling the poppies and picking them. The staff and parking is not set up for this many people, likely because it usually is much less crowded trail. When I left, there were people parking miles away and walking and the freeway was absolutely backed up. If you go, go early.

It was very very crowded but amazingly beautiful. Rolling hills of Ca Poppy's and other flowers (don't know the names). If you hike up a bit you can get out of the madness of the crowds We parked off lake drive just West if the 15 which helped us to not get stuck when getting on 15 south

I just went there on 3/18/19. The day before weekend they shout down freeway exit because of many people. I got there 9:30am, luckily we got parking place close to trail entrance. It was hot day 75~80F. You need defiantly Hat, Water, comfortable walking/ hiking shoes, camera ! They have portable toilet near trail entrance.

Great hike with decent gradients. The loop is closed but you still get a great hike up to the closure. Just got home and have the following tips: No shade on this hike, so pack your sunscreen and water. The trail can be uneven and is not paved, there is also loose dirt so make sure you have the right shoes on with traction. I hear a lot of people saying to go early, but honestly coming down the trail around 3pm there were way less people on it. To the early birds, instead of parking parallel on the road, down a bit it widens and allows space to park with your car side to side instead. We parked with this group and way easier to leave and less fear of your car being hit. I'm again going to mention packing water because it's worth it. With the inclines and sun beaming down on you, make sure you and loved ones stay hydrated out there. Lastly, the first part of the trail is a tad upsetting to see when people are off walking around in the flowers. There are tons of dirt spots where if you have someone take the photo from the right angle it looks like your in the flowers without having to harm any of the flowers. Good luck, take a deep breath during the driving and parking, enjoy a beautiful trip.

These are the work of wonders from Mother Nature. It's worth the time and the drive. Amazingly pretty.!! Don't miss out to those who love nature

Just as beautiful as i hoped, if not more. Being from the south, flower covered mountains are something out of a dream! It was hard for us to navigate and figure things out, so do your research! Lots of help here on yelp. Once we were able to park and take the shuttle, it was pretty smooth sailing. We last weekend, and it was only about 80 and sunny, yet we drank LOTS of water, so take precaution. I would bring a hat and sunblock as well, and will when we go again. I highly recommend doing something like this with family or friends or your significant other. Ideally, I wished for a smaller crowd, but it was worth the chaos. Note: please respect the poppy's and other plants/life in general, now and always!

What a fabulous place to hike! We found it super easy in the middle of the day to find a place to park. We enjoyed the paved way that leads into a solid path throughout the canyon. Absolutely worth it for the novice to middle level hiker!

I went when the poppies were in full bloom and it was beautiful! Orange flowers everywhere, with purple and yellow mixed in in matches. Lots of trail options from flat and wide to steeper and narrower. You could hike for hours here, or just one hour, depending on where you go and when you decide to turn around.

Went here today. The exit was closed so we had to exit the next one after. You can immediately see the poppies and wildflowers instantly from the freeway. It is definitely really beautiful. We didn't go to this location in particular because of the road closure but we went off a path that lead to it. It was a steep hike up...carrying a baby in your back and hiking up was tough but it was well worth it. My hubby ended up running into a rattlesnake so we stopped but if you can get a chance to go you should.

I was glad I visited during a weekday. Was it crowded, yes, but not as crowded as a weekend I assumed. The superbloom was there and it was spectacular.

Great place, super-bloom of 2019 is worthy for 1.5 hr drive. The traffic is definitely a nightmare if you don't plan well. We came on Saturday from Irvine leaving at 9am and get there around 11am. Fwy15 is very pack especially when you get closer to the area. Our friend went at 9am and there're already many people. So we are lucky that when we get there the first pack of hikers are leaving. We stuck at 3 miles away from the entrance for over 30mins. So you better come earlier to avoid huge crowd if you don't want to stick at traffic forever. The nature is definitely beautiful, sad to see some flowered are destroyed because of the amount of guests and how they did not protect. However, there're still numerous poppy flowers. Going home is much easier. We took 241 toll and it was very fast.