Nestled at the foot of the majestic Wasatch Mountains, the Alpine poppy fields burst into a sea of vibrant colors each spring, drawing nature lovers and photographers alike. It’s a hidden gem where the vibrant poppies bloom in late spring, turning the fields into a colorful paradise. Imagine wandering through waves of orange and red, the delicate petals swaying in the breeze, tucked right against the mountains for some of the most stunning photos you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for a spot for some colorful family photos or you just want to soak in the bright blossoms, the Alpine poppy fields are incredible.
History of the Alpine Poppy Fields
The Alpine Poppy fields are not just a breathtaking natural wonder but also a part of the area’s rich history. These fields were originally part of the Lambert Homestead, established as a summer home in the early 1900’s. The Lamberts cultivated the land and, over time, the poppies began to flourish naturally across the homestead.
As the years passed, the vibrant blooms became a beloved local landmark. The Lambert family, recognizing the beauty and significance of the poppies, allowed public access to their fields, creating a space where the community could gather and appreciate nature’s splendor. While there is little left of the original homestead, the poppies remain.
Lambert Park is now an open space area that’s over 200 acres and is packed full of trails and natural areas for visitors to enjoy. While the poppy fields are incredibly popular, they were almost wiped out several years ago, due to overuse. Visitors would trample the flowers, pick them to take home and in a short time, the poppy fields are almost gone.
Today, the Alpine poppy fields have been restored and as of 2023, have been reopened and are carefully managed to protect them. The area is fenced in and is only open during certain times of the year to allow the poppies to grow and blossom undisturbed. Visitors are only allowed to walk on paths through the fields to help protect the poppies from being trampled. During their opening times, volunteers are on hand to make sure people are taking care of them and to teach about the history and local ecology of the area.
When are the Alpine Poppy Fields Open?
The Alpine Poppy Fields are typically open from late May to mid June each year, though the timing can very a bit depending on the weather. This year we visited on May 31 and they were stunning, and with our cooler weather this spring, they will likely be open for about 3 weeks.
The poppy fields get VERY crowded on weekends, so if you’re looking to escape the crowds, we recommend visiting in the early morning hours. The lighting is stunning and having the fields all to yourself is incredible.
How to Get to the Alpine Poppy Fields
The Utah poppy fields in Alpine are tucked back into the hillside in the far corner of Alpine. Truthfully, if you didn’t know about them, you’d totally miss them. While they’re a bit off the beaten path, they’re easy to get to.
The best way to visit the Alpine Poppy Fields is by parking at the Lambert Park South Trailhead. There is a good-sized parking lot there and this is the designated area to park to see the poppies. While a quick glance at Google Maps will show you that there is a neighborhood that is closer, visitors are encouraged to visit through a designated trailhead at Lambert Park to not overwhelm the local neighborhoods.
From the Lambert Park South parking lot, you’ll walk 0.4 miles to get to the poppy fields. The walk is mostly on dirt roads or smooth trails and is mostly flat and easy. From the parking lot, walk north on the road, and you’ll quickly see signs and trail markers to take you right to the poppy fields.
While there are trails that crisscross all over Lambert Park, we recommend staying on the designated poppy path since many of the other trails are heavily used by mountain bikers, and you’ll constantly be jumping off the path to move over for them.
Access to the park is free, and there is no entrance or parking fee.
Can I Do a Photoshoot at the Alpine Poppy Fields?
Absoutely, YES! The fields are popular for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset. However, if you are doing a photoshoot, remember to be considerate of others there. Go to the outskirts of the fields to take your pictures away from the crowds and main concentration of flowers.
When we visited, there were several groups there that were taking photos, and most of them were amazing about staying out of the way. However, there were a couple that decided to take photos right in the middle of the fields and were very annoyed when people would walk through and into their shot (even though they had a huge backlog of people waiting to get through). Don’t be that person. The poppy fields are for everyone to enjoy, not just a backdrop for your photoshoot. If you want to take photos, find an uncrowded time to go, or go off to the side to avoid the crowds.
Visiting the Poppy Fields with Kids
If you’re visiting the Poppy Fields with kids, you’re in for a treat. The volunteers there are committed to teaching about the area and have made it their mission to help educate kids about the area. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by a volunteer who not only told us about the history of the area, but taught our kids about how to safely observe the poppy fields. Truthfully, it was so nice to have someone else to remind the kids to not touch or pick the poppies and to stay on the paths, since I think they listened better to them than to mom.
The volunteers have a scavenger hunt for kids to do while they’re there which our boys all really enjoyed (ages 7, 10, & 12). This gave the kids something to do while I was snapping pictures and my jaw dropped at how beautiful the area is! At the end, the kids checked back in with the volunteer and got a poppy pin for their participation. It was such a great touch to our experience at the Alpine Poppy Fields.
Things to Know Before Visiting
- Weather: Check the weather before you go. Spring can bring unpredictable conditions, so dress in layers and bring water. Early mornings can be especially cool at the poppy fields so you might want a light jacket.
- Leave No Trace: Pack out any trash you bring in and be respectful of the natural area to preserve its beauty for others.
- Don’t pick the flowers: While there appear to be plenty of poppies in the field, please do not pick the flowers. The volunteers have worked hard to preserve the fields and protect them for everyone to enjoy, not just you.