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Carrizo Plain Area desert wildflower,
here are are some things you should know before you go,
The Carrizo Plain National Monument, located 100 airline miles (160 km) from Los Angeles, is an area by-passed by time. Soda Lake, its centerpiece, is a glistening bed of white salt, set within a vast open grassland, rimmed by steep mountains. The plain is home to diverse communities of wildlife and plant species, is an area culturally important to Native Americans, and is traversed by the San Andreas fault, which has created and moved mountain ranges, carved valleys and is marked by a subtle alignment of ridges, ravines and pools.
This area is very remote and undeveloped, therefore it is recommended that you do not rely on GPS or other mapping programs to lead you to the park. All vehicles must remain on roads. Link to map
Prepare yourself for your adventure. The Carrizo Plain National Monument does not provide any services such as water, food, or fuel. Plan your trip accordingly and ensure you get these items in one of the neighboring communities before you go.
Link to Park Guide and Map PDF
Share Your Carrizo Plain Area desert wildflower Photos & Reports with DesertUSA
Please share your Carrizo Plain Area desert wildflower pictures, including the date and location. We will post your photos on our Wildflower Reports page, so others can learn where and when to view the spectacular displays.
- E-mail your digital photos and reports to Jim@desertusa.com. Use Wildflower Report as the subject of your e-mail. Let us know where you took the image, the date, and how you would like us to give you photo credit (first name, etc.)
- Text your photos to 760-740-1787. Be sure to include the location and the name you want to be credited for the photos.
Note: Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the desert, but it can also be a time for caution. Rattlesnakes lie dormant during the cold fall and winter months and awaken from hibernation in the warm months of March and April. Another reason to stay on the trails. More…
2025 Wildflower Reports Carrizo Plain Area
April 23, 2025, Kurt Reports: Just spent 2 days in Carrizo last weekend I am sad to report there is pretty much nothing in the way of wildflowers. We camped out, drove the entire park from south to north, and only saw what is in the attached photo. The roads are all very dry and dusty, although the hills are green, just no wildflowers Sad – but it happens….
April 6, 2025, Mike Reports: There are a few patches flowers around but not many.
Mar 29, 2025, Steve Reports: Drove out to the S end of Carrizo on Thursday. It was as dry as I’ve ever seen it for this time of year. Some green grass starting to come up, but nary a wildflower!
Mar 12, 2025, Randy Reports: As March 10, 2025. No flowers, nothing even green, and for sure, no “super bloom.” The rain we’ve had has seemingly had little to no effect on the Plains. The ground is cracked and dry. Toward the Soda Lake things are a little greener, but this is it for now. I’m out here weekly. I’ll let you all know when/if it changes.
Feb 15, 2025, DUSA Reports: Carrizo Plain National Monument Received a little rain from the last storm as an accumulation of 2.1 inches of rain for the season. Should have some wildflowers this year
January 1, 2025, DesertUSA reports: No reports yet for Carrizo Plain Area Wildflower. Updates will be shared here as soon as new reports come in. Stay tuned for the latest bloom news, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for easy access to timely updates!
2024 Reports
April 5, 2024 Sierra Reports: These are pictures from along Soda Lake Road on April 2, 2024. There are still mostly yellow flowers with some patches of purple and orange. The road was rutted out in some spots on the south end but was mostly dry and was passable.
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