Spring has sprung, and vivid pops of wildflowers are blooming across the country—and, predictably, some of the greatest blooms can be found right in the heart of our national parks.
These U.S. national parks offer some of the best wildflower views.
National parks are places where people can go to relax and Wow, no matter what month it is, wildflower season is particularly special. Purple, blue, white, and gold pops of color add beauty to some of America’s most bizarre landscapes. Even better, the colorful blossoms herald the arrival of warmer weather.
It’s time to start making plans if you want to see them. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a dedicated photographer looking for the ideal snap, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best national parks to visit during wildflower season enthusiasts.
These 10 best U.S. national parks to visit during wildflower season are a must-see for anyone planning a trip around the spring and summer colors.
Keep in mind that by following Leave No Trace guidelines, such as keeping on the trail, you may help to ensure that these wildflowers are conserved and thrive for future park visitors.
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Top 10 National Parks in USA to Visit During Wildflower Season
These parks are home to the country’s most vivid blooms from late March through August.
Check local park and state travel limits before heading out, and remember the Leave No Trace principles: do not pick or take anything you find within protected park boundaries, and always hike and take pictures from the main trail. The top 10 national parks in USA to visit during wildflower season. chasing this spring is listed below.
1. Glacier National Park
Glacier lilies fields. Purple asters in abundance. During the spring and summer, Glacier National Park is home to almost 1,000 types of wildflowers. Lower elevations, such as Lake McDonald, dazzle in the spring with beautiful blooms. Glacier National Park wildflowers best time to visit in Late June through early August.
The state’s famed glacier lilies bloom between 3,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation, bringing beautiful colors to higher elevations. Hiking trails such as the Highline, Hidden Lake, and Lake McDonald are great places to see the colorful scenery.
2. Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park’s blooms promise to take your breath away, with a burst of violet in the front and a snow-capped peak not far behind. In late July and August, look for gorgeous magenta, gold, and blue hues throughout the park’s subalpine meadows.
The beautiful Reflection Lakes walk and the wide Grand Park meadow, where wildflowers spread nearly to Mount Rainier’s base, are two of the greatest places to see the show.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There’s a reason the Smokies are on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to flowers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the most flower species of any U.S. national park, with over 1,500 flowering plants.
Furthermore, the flowers are in bloom for the majority of the year. Ephemerals like lady slipper orchids, which bloom from February to April, kick off the color show. Black-eyed Susan’s, coneflowers, and a slew of other wildflowers take center stage in the summer.
From October through January, a peaceful expanse of golden witch hazel marks the end of the year. The park’s floral festivities are not to be missed during the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in late April. There are also many wildflower pathways throughout the park.
4. Shenandoah National Park
By April, Shenandoah’s cheerful flora has fully recovered. Between March and August, more than 850 plant species bloom, with blooms ranging from violets and large-flowered trillium to columbine, touch-me-nots, and sunflowers.
Take in the beauty from one of Shenandoah’s wildflower viewing areas. Low-elevation sites like Mill Prong and Hughes River in the early spring, as well as the always-scenic Skyline Drive in the late spring and summer, are examples.
5. Saguaro National Park
Poppies and desert chicory are just two of the many plants that liven up the desert environment of Saguaro National Park.
The park’s main wildflower season extends from spring to early fall, with the most spectacular blooms occurring after consistent rainfall late in the year, as was the case in 2019, which was the park’s “banner year” for blooming.
Even when the weather isn’t ideal, Saguaro flowers dazzle all year, providing a contrast to the park’s distinctive attraction: giant cactus. On paths like Bridal Wreath Falls and Valley View Overlook, you can see wildflowers.
6. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Ohio’s fertile soil makes it an ideal location for agriculture. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio alone features ten working farms, ranging from berry farms to a flourishing winery.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the Cuyahoga Valley’s wildflowers dazzle. Everything from Virginia bluebells to violets to goldenrods bloom in the park from spring through late summer, bringing these glacier-carved landscapes to life.
Admire the blossoming flowers on the Brandywine Gorge Trail or the Kendall Lake Loop.
7. Redwood National Park
The towering redwood trees of California are amazing enough on their own, but add a blanket of brilliant wildflowers beneath them and you’ve got yourself a major scenic overload. The wildflower blooms in Redwood National Park occur between January and September.
That means you can enjoy the vibrant hues for the majority of the year. Periwinkle forget-me-nots and golden mission bells bloom in the spring, while California poppies and western dog violets bloom in the late summer and fall.
The Trillium Falls, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and Redwood Creek trails are among the best wildflower treks.
8. Crater Lake National Park
Because to the short growth season in Crater Lake National Park, blooms only last from July to October. Crater Lake is one of the top national parks for wildflower viewing during those months alone.
The flora ranges from low-elevation forests to the park’s highest point, the stratovolcano Mount Scott. The Lady of the Woods Trail, Annie Creek Canyon Trail, and Discovery Point Trail are all great places to see the brilliant colors.
9. Pinnacles National Park
The towering bulbous rocks of Pinnacles National Park are nothing if not striking, and a spray of wildflowers ups the ante. From March to May, when 80 percent of the wildflowers are in bloom, you can view them at this California national park.
The variety of flower species seen here is astounding. Bush lupine and black sage bloom first, followed by orchids, buckwheat, and roses in the summer. Routes like Moses Spring Trail and Old Pinnacles Trail Loop offer spectacular views.
10. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley isn’t on our list because of its frequent blooming; it’s on it because seeing a wildflower show in the park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For a mega bloom of desert golds to decorate the valley, the severe, arid park requires nearly ideal circumstances, including fall showers.
Rangers bring visitors up to date on the current state of the wildflowers. While there’s a slim chance of seeing a mega bloom here, trust us when we say it’s worth the wait.
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FAQs About Best U.S. National Parks to Visit During Wildflower Season
Where is the best place to see wildflowers?
Best U.S. National Parks to Visit During Wildflower Season
1. Glacier National Park
2. Mount Rainier National Park
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4. Shenandoah National Park
5. Saguaro National Park
6. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
7. Redwood National Park
8. Crater Lake National Park
9. Pinnacles National Park
10. Death Valley National Park
What state has the best wildflowers?
America’s Best Spots to View Wildflowers
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
2. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
3. Glacier National Park, Montana.
4. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, California.
5. White Mountains, New Hampshire.
Where are the wildflowers in Glacier National Park?
Preston Park, Highline Trail, Firebrand Pass, Iceberg Lake, Hidden Lake, Cobalt Lake, Medicine Grizzly Lake, Forest and Fire Nature Hike, Gunsight Lake, and Upper Two Medicine Lake are some of the greatest hikes for observing wildflowers, depending on your timing.
What is the most beautiful wildflower?
1. Red Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
2. Blue False Indigo (Baptisia Australia)
3. White False Indigo (Baptisia alba)
4. Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
5. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
6. Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea tennesseensis)
7. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
8. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
When can you see wildflowers in Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park wildflowers best time to visit
Late June through early August is the greatest time to visit Glacier National Wildflowers. That’s when the hiking routes, which are flanked by blossoming fields, are at their most beautiful. Some blooms continue into August and September, making the park’s late summer season particularly appealing.
Tell Us In The Comments About One Of Your Favorite Best U.S. National Parks to Visit During Wildflower Season!
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