The city of Lake Elsinore in Southern California has announced the closure of its Walker Canyon in anticipation of the seasonal bloom of wild poppies. The city experienced a “super bloom” of poppies in 2019, which drew in thousands of visitors, causing gridlocks, overcrowding, and even environmental damage. To prevent a repeat of the chaos, the city has closed the trails, roads, and parking areas surrounding Walker Canyon and will not be running shuttles to the location. The closure of Walker Canyon is a result of the increasing issue of overtourism, where popular destinations are being forced to shut down due to excessive tourist traffic.
Mayor Natasha Johnson stated that while Lake Elsinore typically welcomes visitors to enjoy its vibrant community and boost its economy, the visitors to Walker Canyon in 2019 resulted in a cost that was too high for the residents and wildlife. Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco warned that any visitors to the canyon could face steep penalties and even arrest as they will be implementing a zero-tolerance policy for trespassing and parking on the sides of the roadways.
The closure of Walker Canyon has received mixed reactions from the public, with some residents being disappointed while others are glad to avoid gridlocks. Some have criticized the city for missing out on the opportunity to make money from the phenomenon, but Mayor Johnson stressed that the city’s main focus is the safety and preservation of its community.
For those looking to enjoy the beauty of the wild poppies, the city has live video footage of Walker Canyon available on its website. Mayor Johnson encourages visitors to focus on the Super Bowl and not the “super bloom” that is not happening this year. With the new rules of travel, it is important to respect the efforts being made to preserve natural resources and to avoid being an overtourist.
Lake Elsinore Prevents Repeat of 2019 “Super Bloom” Chaos with Walker Canyon Closure
Latest from Nature
Cornell Study: Birds Sing at Dawn for Territory Defense and Food Finding, Not Better Sound Transmission
New research from Cornell University has uncovered why birds burst into song at daybreak. Scientists found that social factors, not just environmental conditions, drive this daily natural concert known as the dawn
Atlantic’s Largest Tagged Male Great White Shark “Contender” Tracked Near Popular Beach Destination
A massive great white shark named “Contender” is making waves as it travels up the Atlantic coastline. At nearly 14 feet long and weighing 1,653 pounds, this impressive male shark is the
Drones Deploy Millions of Mosquitoes with “Birth Control” Bacteria to Save Hawaii’s Last 17 Bird Species
Hawaiian honeycreepers are disappearing at an alarming rate. Once numbering 55-60 different species across the Hawaiian islands, only 17 remain today. The crisis has reached a critical point – the ‘Akikiki (Kauaʻi
Edwards Aquifer Recovery Plan: 7 Endangered Species, 44% Water Cuts, and a 65-Year Timeline
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has finalized a recovery plan for seven rare species that call the Edwards Aquifer home. Announced on June 11, 2025, this plan maps out how
California’s Endangered Purple Amole Makes Stunning Comeback: 16,000 Plants Found on Single Ranch
A rare purple flower once on the brink of extinction is blooming in record numbers in California, giving scientists new hope for its survival. This spring, researchers discovered 16,000 Camatta Canyon amole
7,000+ Animals Seized in 3.5 Years: Mumbai Airport Stops Man with 100 Exotic Wildlife from Thailand
Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport arrested an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with nearly 100 exotic animals hidden in his luggage. The man “exhibited signs of nervousness” during
Climate Crisis Could Wipe Out 75% of Bowhead Whale Habitats by 2100, University Research Shows”
The bowhead whale, a massive sea creature that can weigh as much as 100 tons and live over 200 years, is in trouble. These giants, which swim in the cold northern waters
Trail Cameras Capture ‘Extinct’ Species: Himalayan Quail Found After 150 Years, Snow Leopards Up 20%
Trail cameras are changing how we track and protect wildlife by capturing rare animals that scientists rarely see face-to-face. These motion-activated devices are helping confirm the existence of species thought to be
Student’s AI Tool Recognizes Minke Whale Calls in Real-Time, Transforms Weeks of Analysis Into Instant Alerts
A 22-year-old student has built a new AI tool that listens for whale sounds underwater to help protect threatened minke whales. Oscar Mower, who studies commerce and engineering at the University of
Critically Endangered ‘Forest Fairy’ Possum Found in NSW After 100+ Years of Local Extinction”
In a surprising discovery, scientists have found a Leadbeater’s possum in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales (NSW). This small, critically endangered marsupial was thought to be extinct in NSW for
Rare Black Bear Spotted in Savoy: Protected Species Returns to North Texas After Decades
A black bear has been confirmed in Savoy, Texas, creating excitement in this small North Texas town. The unusual visitor, caught on surveillance cameras at a local convenience store, marks a rare
Arctic Underwater Noise Doubled in 6 Years, Threatening Marine Life Communication as Levels Set to Quadruple by 2030
The Arctic Ocean is getting noisier by the day. Ship engines, oil exploration, and construction are creating an underwater racket that’s harming whales, seals, and other marine animals. Recent findings from the
Big Bear Eaglets Sunny and Gizmo Both Successfully Fledge, Will Spend 1-3 Months Learning Survival Skills
In a moment eagerly awaited by thousands of online viewers, Gizmo, the younger of two Big Bear bald eaglets, took her first flight on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 8:27 a.m. This
Endangered Sharks Killed: Spanish Vessel Slaughters 3 Makos in 30 Minutes as Blue Shark Bycatch Hits Record Levels
Endangered sharks are dying at alarming rates in the Pacific Ocean, with industrial fishing vessels catching them as “bycatch” – unintended catches while targeting other fish. Greenpeace recently exposed this crisis by
6 Wolf Pups From St. Louis Join Wild Mexican Wolf Population of Just 286 in Critical Conservation Move
Six endangered Mexican wolf pups, just 10 days old, have been sent from the Endangered Wolf Center in St. Louis to New Mexico in a critical conservation effort. The pups will be
