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    Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve

    4.3 (145 reviews)

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    Sophie N.

    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.

    California Poppies
    Mike L.

    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!

    Angie W.

    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:)

    Joe L.

    "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.

    Poppies galore
    Sam L.

    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!

    Jason R.

    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

    Travis W.

    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.

    Sat on trail
    Isaura T.

    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!

    Michelle L.

    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.

    Rick S.

    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

    Superbloom!
    Emily L.

    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!

    Bought breakfast burritos for the hike!
    Jenny Y.

    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 =)

    Poppies
    Laura C.

    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.

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    6 months ago

    Nice steep hiking trail but small parking lot with trash. Recommend checking season for best time to see Flowers.

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    2 years ago

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

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve

    Are the poppy flowers still blooming right now?

    I think they only bloom from March to April, and maybe as late as May.

    I went a few weeks ago and want to go back. Has anyone been there more recently, and if so are the poppies still in bloom? I want to take a friend.

    The did a story on the new again on Thursday so you should be good. They bloom for quite awhile, depending on the weather and for now, Southern California is getting good weather, most of the rain is staying North.

    Would I be able to push my 6month old in a stroller or are the trails too steep ? If not I'll use A carrier but would be nice not to have to hold him the whole time 😅

    Stroller to the trailhead and leave it at the gate (maybe a bike lock to secure but seems like pretty safe to just leave) and then carry your child on the trails

    Which one is better to go a day trip? Walker Canyon or Antelope Poppy Reserve? Any suggestion please.

    2hours is worth the drive to Antelope Poppy Reserve! It's is the best place to see poppies, come early (we left at 6:30) and park at the address for 10$.

    Is it too late to go tomorrow? Some people told me the flowers are already faded! It takes me around 2 hours to drive there.

    Poppies are gone now but makes a great hike.

    Do they charge on weekdays?

    There was no fee when we went on a weekday. From what I understand, there is no fee on the weekend but you do have to pay $10 to take a shuttle from the designated parking at the outlet mall to the trail.

    Are they allow dog? How much for the ticket?

    Dogs on leash are allowed. Shuttle is 10$ a person from the shopping outlet.

    What time do they close?

    6pm or when it's dark

    Is it open during weekdays?

    Yes!

    How long does the bloom last?

    For 2019, it is projected to bloom into April.

    When does it reopen?

    Lake Elsinore Facebook page: #SuperBloom Update: Walker Canyon has reopened. However, parking is EXTREMELY limited.… 

    Is it ok to bring my baby in a stroller?would like to take family photo here

    Yes you can. There is a gate you may need help getting the stroller past but many people did it.

    Is this trail a loop where you'd keep going and eventually end up back at the beginning or is it a straight shot and back?

    Out and Back. The trail is a 3.5 mile out and back trail located near Lake Elsinore, (Lake Street and I-15) California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as a moderate hike. You don’t have to go far; you can go less than a mile and… 

    Are there a lot of bees?

    We didn't see any when we were there last week.

    Are jogging strollers allowed?

    Yes lots of people had strollers. Be aware though there is a closed gate you will have to maneuver through which many people with strollers were doing you just might need someone to help you.

    Is there a spot for a picnic here? My little ones require frequent feeding. 😊 I'll settle for a clearing big enough for a picnic blanket!

    Quick answer...No. There isn't any benches or places to sit..

    Will the bloom still on until March 17? Thank you all!!

    Most likely with current rain situation

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes very much so! The hiking trails are pretty wide. Many people had dogs with them when we visited.

    Do you have to pay a parking or entrance fee?

    First come first park along Walker Canyon Rd. Look for overflow lot too. There is no designated parking and be careful if it rains, it will be muddy. There is no entrance fee.

    Are there bathrooms? or at least nearby?

    Portable toilets near the entrance

    View All 34 Questions

    Review Highlights - Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve

    Have been to Walker Canyon twice when there was a superbloom and there's no better place to see the wildflowers.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Big Horn Canyon Ranch - Hunting Ranch

    Big Horn Canyon Ranch - Hunting Ranch

    4.4
    (52 reviews)
    23.1 km

    It was a great place to take young or beginner hunters to get their feet wet and introduce them to…read morethe sport of hunting. The people were great and very helpful.

    Took my son here to harvest some pig this week. We were not disappointed. This place is more canyon…read morethan it is ranch, which is great. It adds to the hunting experience that includes good hiking, tracking, etc. Charlie (very helpful and personable) gave us about a 10 min orientation, a rundown and some tips, then took us to the rim of the canyon and sent us on in for our hunt. About 45 min in, we sighted our first animals (goats). And about an hour in, we saw our first pigs in "pig canyon". They were hiding in the shrubbery, and started to leave when we came near. We passed on taking one. A little more domesticated and not as big as I hoped to take (though they're decent size and will provide some good meat). So with that, we continued through the canyon- walking the hills, crevices, and dried creeks, Looking for the bigger game. About Two hours passed and we didn't see anything besides a ram and another couple goats. I started to question whether I should have pulled the trigger on the earlier ones. About three hours in, we saw her- a 450 .lb hog hiding in the bushes. She didn't drop on the first shot with my 6.5 grendel (she did, but got back up and took off) and led us on a 15 min chase before we could put her out quickly. Charlie and his buddy came down into the canyon and hauled our pig out for us. He was great and informative as he butchered for us. I came home with about 6-7 cubit feet (filled my freezer) of bacon, pulled pork, tenderloin, roast, and more. Highly recommend for new hunters. This hunt is what you make of it. 1-2 hours in you can take an easy target and get the meat, or you can choose to hunt for the bigger or more elusive animals like the big hogs or razorbacks and do some good hiking, looking, tracking. For me, the latter was worth it.

    Photos
    1 pig, 1 boar, 1 ram not bad for a days hunt...don't the ram pic
    1 pig, 1 boar, 1 ram not bad for a days hunt...don't the ram pic
    Big Horn Canyon Ranch - Hunting Ranch
    Big Horn Canyon Ranch - Hunting Ranch

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    Bear Canyon Trail

    Bear Canyon Trail

    4.5
    (8 reviews)
    10.3 km

    A very nice trail, decent incline gains but nothing too crazy. This trail is great for beginners,…read moreand for more advanced hikers when you get to 4 corners you can take the trail up to Sitton Peak to make for a more challenging hike. The parking area for the trail is pretty big, and has a restroom and trash bins. Map directions to Ortega Oaks Candy shop & the parking area for Bear Canyon Trail will be right across the street. Don't forget to display your adventure pass. The start of the trail out to 4 corners is a little over 3 miles depending on what split you take around mile 2.

    I was here on Saturday, May 13, 2023. I hiked Sitton Peak. I arrived at the parking lot at 6:30am…read more There were a few cars in the parking lot already but there were still empty spaces. The parking lot is easy to get to. There's restrooms in the parking lot. The adventure pass is required. This is an easy hike except the last .4 of a mile closer to the peak. It's really steep. Be careful. Trekking poles are helpful coming down in that section of the hike. There were several other people in the trail today. There was a group of kids who I think were boys scouts. There are a lot of bugs and I recommend you bring insect repellent. Overall, it was an awesome hike. Happy hiking! The 74 highway is under construction. I recommend you check the 74 Ortega Highway Widening website for future closures. They occasionally have 55hr full highway closures on the weekends. It's anticipated to be completed by Spring 2025.

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    Bear Canyon Trail
    Bear Canyon Trail
    Bear Canyon Trail

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    Cleveland National Forest

    Cleveland National Forest

    4.4
    (16 reviews)
    10.3 km

    I'm really only familiar with the very northern portion, near Lake Elsinore, but apparently,…read moreCleveland National Forest has separate sections in northeastern and eastern San Diego County as well. When I was a kid, we used to go to Mammoth Lakes every summer. It was there, in the eastern Sierra Nevada, that I got very familiar with National Forest signs and their iconic style. As I grew older, I started to notice National Forest signs in Southern California as well, but whereas Inyo and Sequoia National Forests were or at least contained actual forests, Angeles National Forest seemed to be mostly mountains with trees scattered about. Shouldn't a National Forest be breathtakingly or at least in-your-facingly foresty? Well, Cleveland National Forest is breathtakingly foresty, but maybe not quite in-your-facingly. And that's fine. The northern portion is tantalizingly close to most of suburban Orange County, but it can feel like another part of California, if not a completely different state. I've probably spent the most time in Silverado and Trabuco Canyon, which are on the western side of the ridge, but it's also fun to drive on the 74 all the way from Lake Elsinore to its interchange with the 5 in San Juan Capistrano. It's definitely a mountainous drive with at least one very serious hairpin turn, so plan accordingly, but it also feels fast, like the quickest way to get from the bland Inland Empire to the glitzy end of Orange County. That trip on the 74 was also the first place outside of the Sierra Nevadas in California that I had seen road reflectors embedded below grade into the asphalt so that snowplows wouldn't damage them. Seriously, there are snowplows in Orange County. Who would have thought that existed as a normal thing? It's a National Forest. Feel free to enjoy it, but pay for what you're supposed to pay for, take all your trash with you when you leave, and don't be a jerk driver on the scary windy roads. Hiking can be gorgeous, but remember that this also prime habitat for rattlesnakes, mountain lions, bears, and coyotes. Again, plan accordingly, and maybe leave your pets and very small children at home.

    Cleveland National Forest is a stunning escape with beautiful trails, peaceful views, and plenty of…read moreadventure. Perfect for hiking, photography, or just relaxing in nature. The sunsets are unforgettable, can't wait to visit again!

    Photos
    Cleveland National Forest
    Cleveland National Forest
    Cleveland National Forest

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    Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve - wildlifehunting - Updated August 2026

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