This SoCal Desert State Park Is Seeing A Rare Early Bloom — Making A Superbloom In 2026 More Likely

It’s no secret that thanks to record rainfall in November and December, SoCal might get an early jump on spring this year. Proof of this can be seen in the early bloom of Joshua Trees in the region, and now another burst of color is appearing in a beloved state park. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is already seeing early-season wildflowers popping up, giving visitors a first glimpse of the desert’s colorful transformation. Henderson Canyon Road is currently the hotspot for the most vibrant displays, with desert sand verbena, brown-eyed primrose, and desert sunflowers carpeting the canyon floor. Some visitors are even sharing online sightings of primrose, Spanish needles, apricot mallow, and the striking desert lily. Borrego Palm Canyon is also starting to show hints of color with desert lavender, chuparosa, datura, and yellow nightshade groundcherry, while Coyote Canyon is beginning to bloom, though it’s currently only accessible to hikers. Nature and wildlife photographer Paulette Donnellon has been documenting the phenomenon on her social media, with images dating back to the first week of January. Will we see a superbloom in 2026? ------------------------------------- The park has received about 3.5 inches of rain over the past three months, *CBS8* reports, a lot of water for a place that averages just five inches per year. Still, a true superbloom requires the perfect mix of cool nights, steady rain, calm winds, and minimal heat spikes, but this is certainly a very good sign to take into account... But even if it doesn’t reach that level, seeing the wildflowers is worth the drive. If you go, be smart and stick to trails, leash your dog, watch for rattlesnakes, bring water and sun protection, and remember to leave no trace. Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/anza-borrego-desert-bloom/