What's in Season in June: Where to See Wildflowers, Synchronous fireflies in the US

What's in season in June?

June is wildflowers and synchronous fireflies season at the places we track. Wildflowers is in its usual window at 19 places, the most in the week of Jun 15–21 (18), from Point Reyes (Feb 1–Aug 31) to Guanella Pass (Jun 15–Aug 10). Synchronous fireflies: Congaree National Park (May 11–Jun 20) and Great Smoky Mountains (May 21–Jun 10). Starting this month: alpine wildflowers at Guanella Pass and high-country wildflowers (coggins park, shasta bally) at Whiskeytown. Coming in July: lavender, from Sequim (Jul 1–Aug 10).

Updated Sep 28. Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Mt. Goliath - Mt. Evans Viewing Area (Arapaho National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Berthoud Pass Trailhead (Arapaho National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Wildflowers of Whiskeytown ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Peaking in June

Each place's usual window, from its own sources

Wildflowers

19 places in June · 4 start this month

17Jun 1–7

17Jun 8–14

18Jun 15–21

18Jun 22–30

California

Point ReyesLocal timing: Feb 1–Aug 31
Lava BedsLocal timing: Mar 1–Sep 30
YosemiteLocal timing: Mar 1–Aug 31
WhiskeytownLocal timing: Apr 1–Aug 31
Lassen VolcanicLocal timing: May 21–Sep 30

Washington

North CascadesLocal timing: Feb 21–Sep 10

Virginia

ShenandoahLocal timing: Mar 21–Jun 30

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
Grand TetonLocal timing: May 1–Sep 30

Michigan

Pictured RocksLocal timing: Apr 15–Jun 10

South Dakota

Spearfish CanyonLocal timing: May 1–Jul 10

District of Columbia

Kenilworth Aquatic GardensLocal timing: May 21–Sep 30

Colorado

Rocky MountainLocal timing: May 21–Aug 10
Guanella PassLocal timing: Jun 15–Aug 10

Idaho

Craters of the MoonJun 1–Jun 30

Minnesota

Minnesota Valley RefugeLocal timing: Jun 1–Aug 31

Montana

GlacierLocal timing: Jun 15–Aug 15

Synchronous fireflies

2 places in June

2Jun 1–7

2Jun 8–14

1Jun 15–21

0Jun 22–30

South Carolina

Congaree National ParkMay 11–Jun 20

Tennessee

Great Smoky MountainsMay 21–Jun 10

Also in June

From our places' year strips, each with its source

Blooms, blossoms and green-up

Starting in June

Alpine wildflowers Guanella Pass · Jun–Aug
High-country wildflowers (Coggins Park, Shasta Bally) Whiskeytown · Jun–Aug
High-meadow wildflowers Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina · Jun–Sep
Lotus Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens · Jun–Aug
Mountain laurel Shenandoah · Jun
Mountain laurel at Jakes Rocks Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania · Jun
Prairie wildflowers Minnesota Valley Refuge · Jun–Aug
Summer and fall wildflowers Mammoth Cave · Jun–Oct

And 2 more.

Still going at 25 places: wildflowers (11 places), wildflowers on the mogollon rim, wildflowers at white spring and crow peak.

Festivals and night skies

Starting in June

Astronomy Festival Bryce Canyon · Jun
Night sky tours at Point Supreme Cedar Breaks · Jun–Sep

Still going at 3 places: synchronous fireflies (about two weeks), ranger astronomy programs, synchronous fireflies.

Snow and winter

Still going at 1 place: snow on the bear lake trail.

Out and about

Starting in June

Apricot harvest Capitol Reef · Jun–Jul
Best hiking weather, most trails clear of snow North Cascades · Jun–Sep
Boyhood Home tours may be limited by heat LBJ National Historical Park · Jun–Aug
Brainard Lake gate open Guanella Pass · Jun–Oct
Busiest months Yellowstone · Jun–Sep
Busiest season Mammoth Cave · Jun–Aug
Busiest season; gate can close to cars when full Parker River Refuge · Jun–Aug
Byway usually free of snow Lemhi Pass · Jun–Oct

And 13 more.

Still going at 95 places: busy season (3 places), cadillac summit road open, cadillac reservations.

Know before you go

Starting in June

Extreme heat Death Valley · Jun–Aug
Hot and humid Occoquan Bay Refuge · Jun–Aug
Hottest months Congaree National Park, South Carolina · Jun–Aug
Hottest months Guadalupe Mountains · Jun–Aug
Lincoln Woods Trail closed for repairs White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire · Jun–Nov
Summer heat Washington, DC · Jun–Sep
Summer trail closures Joshua Tree · Jun–Sep

Still going at 9 places: boulder canyon raptor nesting closures, hottest months, painted rock closed.

Sources (12)

Questions people ask

Where are wildflowers in June?

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); Yosemite, California (local timing Mar 1–Aug 31); Shenandoah, Virginia (local timing Mar 21–Jun 30); John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon (local timing Apr 1–Jul 31); and 13 more on this page.

Where are synchronous fireflies in June?

At the places we track: Congaree National Park, South Carolina (usually May 11–Jun 20); Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (usually May 21–Jun 10).

What festivals are in June?

Astronomy Festival at Bryce Canyon (Jun); Night sky tours at Point Supreme at Cedar Breaks (Jun–Sep). Dates change each year; each place page links its source.

What should I know before a trip in June?

Death Valley: extreme heat; Occoquan Bay Refuge: hot and humid; Congaree National Park, South Carolina: hottest months; Guadalupe Mountains: hottest months; White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire: lincoln woods trail closed for repairs.