Where to Camp
for the 2026
Superbloom.

California's 2026 Superbloom Forecast

We analyzed 150,000+ iNaturalist observations (2021–2025) to map how wildflowers typically appear across the state. Paired with this winter's weather patterns, the forecast is clear: Blooms begin in the low deserts in February, then move north and upslope through spring. Here's how to catch the 2026 superbloom: where to look, when to go, and the best campsites nearby.

The Desert Wakes Up First

Two hours east of San Diego, Anza-Borrego is consistently home to California’s first bloom. Head off of dusty Henderson Canyon Road to spot mats of pink-purple sand verbena alongside desert lilies and big white evening primrose. Morning visits mean more flowers—some species close up in the afternoon.

February to mid-March · Free day use · Arrive early on weekends

The Desert Floor Lights Up

Death Valley doesn’t bloom every year, but solid winter rain transforms the low-elevation Badwater Road with dense patches of desert gold (a small, bright yellow sunflower relative), purple phacelia, and the translucent white gravel ghost. Check the park’s Wildflower Update for the latest conditions.

Mid-February to early April · $30 vehicle entry · Best at low elevations

Fire Followers Line the Coast

The Santa Monica Mountains north of LA—home to Malibu Creek, Point Mugu, and Topanga state parks—can erupt with “fire follower” blooms after recent burns like the 2025 Palisades Fire. Look for rare fire poppies alongside mariposa lilies and lupine across coastal grasslands and oak woodlands.

Early March to April · Free (most areas)

Peak Poppy Season

Just 90 minutes from LA on the edge of the Mojave, Antelope Valley is California’s most reliable poppy destination. When conditions align, entire hillsides turn orange with poppies, while bright yellow goldfields fill the gaps between. You can camp right on the park border to visit early, when blooms are open.

Mid-March to May · $10 parking · No dogs on trails

Native Daisies Arrive

Remote and road-trip ready, Carrizo Plain is California's largest remaining native grassland—and a superbloom star, especially in 2026. Yellow daisies coat the hills, goldfields carpet the valley floor, and pink-purple owl's clovers create striking striped bands across the plain. Expect gravel roads and no cell signal.

Late February to early April · Free · High-clearance vehicle recommended

Waterfalls and Wildflower Meadows

The North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near Oroville is a volcanic mesa where wet springs bring vivid blooms and seasonal waterfalls that flow over mesa edges. Here meadows fill with sky lupine (short blue-purple spikes), bright yellow goldfields, and dense mats of yellow edging the waterfall pools. It’s unlike any other bloom site in the state.

Late March to May · $6 CDFW Lands Day Pass · Unfenced mesa edges

2026 Superbloom Hotspots

Five years of data, one consistent pattern—and 2026 is erupting with above-average blooms. Hit 'Next' to see all the destinations we're tracking this spring.