Year calendar · 63 places
Aprilwhat's in season
What's in season in April?
April is wildflowers, cherry blossoms, desert superbloom, Texas bluebonnets and tulips season at the places we track. Wildflowers is in its usual window at 27 places, the most in the week of Apr 15–21 (27), from Point Reyes (Feb 1–Aug 31) to Blue Ridge Parkway (Apr 21–May 10). Cherry blossoms: US National Arboretum (Mar 1–Apr 30), Seattle (Mar 21–Apr 10) and Baltimore (Fort McHenry) (Mar 24–Apr 7) and 1 more. Desert superbloom: Joshua Tree (Jan 1–Apr 20), Death Valley (Feb 11–Apr 10) and Carrizo Plain (Mar 21–Apr 10). Starting this month: azaleas on mount hamilton at US National Arboretum and cactus bloom at Big Bend. Coming in May: synchronous fireflies, from Congaree National Park (May 11–Jun 20).
Updated Sep 28. Sources: US National Arboretum, Azalea Collections ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Plants of Big Bend ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Peaking in April
Wildflowers
27 places in April · 13 start this month
California
- Point ReyesLocal timing: Feb 1–Aug 31
- Lava BedsLocal timing: Mar 1–Sep 30
- PinnaclesMar 1–May 31
- YosemiteLocal timing: Mar 1–Aug 31
- San Joaquin River RefugeLocal timing: Apr 1–Apr 30
- San Luis RefugeLocal timing: Apr 1–Apr 30
- WhiskeytownLocal timing: Apr 1–Aug 31
Washington
- North CascadesLocal timing: Feb 21–Sep 10
- Hanford ReachLocal timing: Apr 1–May 15
Kentucky
- Mammoth CaveLocal timing: Mar 1–May 31
- Daniel Boone National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–Apr 30
Mississippi
- Natchez Trace Parkway, MississippiLocal timing: Mar 1–May 31
North Carolina
- Nantahala National ForestLocal timing: Mar 15–May 15
- Pisgah National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–May 15
- Blue Ridge ParkwayApr 21–May 10
Tennessee
- Cherokee National ForestLocal timing: Mar 21–May 31
- Great Smoky MountainsApr 11–Apr 30
Ohio
- Cuyahoga ValleyLocal timing: Mar 21–May 15
Virginia
- George Washington and JeffersonLocal timing: Mar 21–May 31
- ShenandoahLocal timing: Mar 21–Jun 30
Delaware
- Bombay HookLocal timing: Apr 1–May 31
Maryland
- Catoctin MountainLocal timing: Apr 1–May 31
Idaho
- Deer Flat RefugeLocal timing: Apr 1–May 31
Oregon
- John Day Fossil BedsLocal timing: Apr 1–Jul 31
North Dakota
- Long Lake RefugeLocal timing: Apr 1–Aug 31
Wyoming
- YellowstoneLocal timing: Apr 1–Jul 31
Michigan
- Pictured RocksLocal timing: Apr 15–Jun 10
Cherry blossoms
4 places in April
District of Columbia
- US National ArboretumMar 1–Apr 30
- Washington, DCMar 25–Apr 7
Washington
- SeattleLocal timing: Mar 21–Apr 10
Maryland
- Baltimore (Fort McHenry)Mar 24–Apr 7
Desert superbloom
3 places in April
California
- Joshua TreeJan 1–Apr 20
- Death ValleyFeb 11–Apr 10
- Carrizo PlainMar 21–Apr 10
Texas bluebonnets
1 place in April
Texas
- LBJ National Historical ParkLocal timing: Mar 1–Apr 30
Tulips
1 place in April · 1 starts this month
District of Columbia
- Washington, DCLocal timing: Apr 1–Apr 20
Also in April
Blooms, blossoms and green-up
Starting in April
- Azaleas on Mount Hamilton US National Arboretum · Apr–Jun
- Cactus bloom Big Bend · Apr–May
- Flowering period Long Lake Refuge · Apr–Aug
- Green-up Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont · Apr–May
- Green-up Stowe, Vermont · Apr–May
- Hikes and migrating songbirds before leaf-out Minnesota Valley Refuge · Apr–May
- Mid-spring wildflowers (middle section) Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi · Apr–May
- Salmonberry and currant bloom, hummingbirds back North Cascades · Apr–May
And 17 more.
Still going at 36 places: wildflowers (9 places), green-up (7 places), cherry blossoms (3 places).
Festivals and night skies
Starting in April
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Skagit Valley, Washington · Apr
- Wildflower Day Mammoth Cave · Apr
Still going at 2 places: wildflower tours, cherry blossom festival.
Snow and winter
Starting in April
- Deepest snowpack Lassen Volcanic · Apr
Still going at 19 places: brainard lake ski and snowshoe season, groomed ski trails, snowshoers welcome, deep snow.
Out and about
Starting in April
- Backbone Rock Campground open Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee · Apr–Oct
- Beach fee season Delaware Water Gap · Apr–Oct
- Biting insects: repellent or a bug jacket Moosehorn Refuge · Apr–Aug
- Busy season Cuyahoga Valley · Apr–Oct
- Cadillac summit road open Acadia · Apr–Nov
- Chilhowee Campground open Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee · Apr–Oct
- Dunewood Campground open Indiana Dunes · Apr–Oct
- Falls Creek Falls trail season Wind River · Apr–Nov
And 20 more.
Still going at 23 places: rimrock overlook open, campgrounds full every night, sparrows, bitterns and warblers on middle valley trail.
Know before you go
Starting in April
- Gates locked until Memorial Day weekend Nulhegan Basin · Apr–May
- Jeep Trail closed for nesting birds (open August 1 to April 1) Missisquoi Refuge · Apr–Jul
- Most beaches closed for nesting piping plovers Parker River Refuge · Apr–Aug
- Mud season Valles Caldera · Apr–May
- Youth turkey hunt weekend (generally late April) Great Bay Refuge · Apr
Still going at 20 places: forest roads closed (2 places), mud season across vermont (2 places), boulder canyon raptor nesting closures.
Sources (12)
- US National Arboretum, Azalea Collections ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Plants of Big Bend ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Wildlife Watching ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Finding Flowers on the Natchez Trace ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, North Cascades wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Spring wildflowers in Cuyahoga Valley ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hanford Reach National Monument: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where are wildflowers in April?
At the places we track: Point Reyes, California (local timing Feb 1–Aug 31); North Cascades, Washington (local timing Feb 21–Sep 10); Lava Beds, California (local timing Mar 1–Sep 30); Mammoth Cave, Kentucky (local timing Mar 1–May 31); Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Mississippi (local timing Mar 1–May 31); Pinnacles, California (usually Mar 1–May 31); and 21 more on this page.
Where are cherry blossoms in April?
At the places we track: US National Arboretum, District of Columbia (usually Mar 1–Apr 30); Seattle, Washington (local timing Mar 21–Apr 10); Baltimore (Fort McHenry), Maryland (usually Mar 24–Apr 7); Washington, DC, District of Columbia (usually Mar 25–Apr 7).
What festivals are in April?
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival at Skagit Valley, Washington (Apr); Wildflower Day at Mammoth Cave (Apr). Dates change each year; each place page links its source.
What should I know before a trip in April?
Nulhegan Basin: gates locked until memorial day weekend; Missisquoi Refuge: jeep trail closed for nesting birds (open august 1 to april 1); Parker River Refuge: most beaches closed for nesting piping plovers; Valles Caldera: mud season; Great Bay Refuge: youth turkey hunt weekend (generally late april).