Updated Sep 28

Pictured: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee · typical peak look

Wildflowerspeak tracker 2027

Where are wildflowers peaking right now?

No official report has come in for wildflowers yet this season.

Updated Sep 28.

Places by state

California

Lassen Volcanic
Local timing: May 21–Sep 30
In its usual window
Lava Beds
Local timing: Mar 1–Sep 30
In its usual window
Pinnacles
Usually Mar 1–May 31
Season over
Point Reyes
Local timing: Feb 1–Aug 31
Season over
San Joaquin River Refuge
Local timing: Apr 1–30
Season over
San Luis Refuge
Local timing: Apr 1–30
Season over
Whiskeytown
Local timing: Apr 1–Aug 31
Season over
Yosemite
Local timing: Mar 1–Aug 31
Season over

District of Columbia

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Local timing: May 21–Sep 30
In its usual window

Wyoming

Grand Teton
Local timing: May 1–Sep 30
In its usual window
Yellowstone
Local timing: Apr 1–Jul 31
Season over

See two in one trip

Nearby places whose usual wildflower windows overlap

Great Smoky Mountains + Blue Ridge Parkway
Usually overlapping: Apr 21–30
- Great Smoky Mountains, TennesseeApr 11–30
- Blue Ridge Parkway, North CarolinaApr 21–May 10
Great Smoky Mountains → Blue Ridge Parkway (about 65 mi). Straight-line miles; roads are longer.
Sources (2)
- National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Know before you go

Practical facts from each place's own sources

Point Reyes
Local timing: Feb 1–Aug 31
- Is parking hard at Tomales Point: It can be: the dirt lot holds 20 vehicles and may be full by 10 a.m. on busy weekends and holidays.
- Timing tip: Chimney Rock Trail: 1.75 miles over Drakes Bay, known for great spring wildflowers; blooms early
- Timing tip: Tomales Point: Wildflowers and tule elk at the north end of the Seashore; blooms early
- Timing tip: Abbotts Lagoon: One of the places where flowers bloom early in the season
Sources (3)
Mammoth Cave
Local timing: Mar 1–May 31
- Festival: Wildflower Day (Apr)
- Getting around: Cedar Sink Trail: 1-mile loop down into a huge sinkhole full of spring and summer wildflowers; 295 stairs
- Getting around: Echo River Spring Trail: Level walk past springs where underground rivers leave the cave for the Green River
- Season: Busiest season (Jun–Aug)
- Top spot: Green River Bluffs Trail: Near the visitor center; wildflowers in bloom on the spring Wildflower Day hike
Sources (4)
Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Local timing: Mar 15–May 15
- Closures: Tsali and Cheoah campgrounds closed (Nov–Apr)
- Are there fees or restrooms: Joyce Kilmer and Whitewater Falls are fee sites with picnic tables and restrooms. The Appletree, Rufus Morgan and Wasilik Poplar trailheads have no facilities, and the gravel road to Rufus Morgan may be gated in winter.
- Getting around: Rufus Morgan Trail: Gentle 1-mile loop through mature cove forest to a small waterfall; mid to late April
- Timing tip: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Loop Trail: Two loops, 2 miles, in a figure eight through virgin cove forest; most flowers mid-March to early May
- Top spot: Wasilik Poplar Trail: High-elevation cove with calcium-rich soils and many herbs; late April to mid-May
Sources (6)
Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Local timing: Mar 21–May 15
- Closures: Cradle of Forestry closed (Nov–Apr)
- Getting around: Flat Laurel Creek Trail: 2.5-mile loop through high meadows at 5,400 to 5,800 ft; mid-June to late September
- Getting around: Jacks Branch Trail and River Ridge Loop: Steep, grassy south-facing slope from Murray Branch Picnic Area, with a gentler loop; July through September
- Open: Ranger station open daily (Apr–Nov)
- Top spot: Paint Fork Road coves: Protected coves north of the road, which runs along the French Broad River; late March to late April
Sources (4)
Shenandoah
Local timing: Mar 21–Jun 30
- Festival: Wildflower Weekend (May)
- Can I bring my dog: Yes, on most trails: pets must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and a few trails don't allow pets at all.
- Getting around: Limberlost Trail: Walk it when the mountain laurel is blooming, usually most profuse in June
- Timing tip: Big Meadows and the banks of Skyline Drive: Later in the season, the place for summer and fall wildflowers
- Top spot: Rose River: Spring wildflowers are richest at the lower elevations along streams like this one
Sources (3)
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Usually Apr 11–30
- Closures: Elkmont closed after noon on firefly nights (reservations and campers only) (May–Jun)
- Cost and permits: Cades Cove car-free Wednesdays (May–Sep)
- Getting around: Cove Hardwood Nature Trail: 3/4-mile loop at Chimneys Picnic Area, among the park's best
- Timing tip: Kanati Fork Trail: Best in the first mile or two, early spring
- Top spot: Porters Creek Trail: Often spectacular late March through April
Sources (3)

Show all 36

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Usually Apr 21–May 10
- Can I pick flowers or bring my dog: No picking: collecting any plant or plant part in the park is illegal. Dogs are welcome at Craggy Gardens on a leash shorter than 6 feet.
- Timing tip: Craggy Gardens (Milepost 364-367): Catawba rhododendron usually peaks here in early to mid-June; the Craggy Gardens Trail climbs 0.3 miles, then a short spur reaches the meadow
- Timing tip: Peaks of Otter: Where the purple Catawba rhododendron starts blooming, in early June
- Open: Visitor centers open (May–Oct)
- Top spot: High Meadow Trail, Blue Ridge Music Center (Milepost 213): A 1.35-mile woodland and meadow trail with seasonal wildflowers in spring, summer and fall
Sources (5)
Grand Teton
Local timing: May 1–Sep 30
- Closures: Teton Park Road closed to cars (Nov–Apr)
- Will I find parking at the trailheads: Start early: in most summer and fall months the lots at Jenny Lake, String and Leigh Lakes, Lupine Meadows, the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, Death Canyon and Granite Canyon fill early in the day.
- Is the Death Canyon Trailhead open: Not in 2026: it's closed for construction on Death Canyon Road.
- Open: Teton Park Road open to walkers only (Taggart Lake to Signal Mountain) (Apr)
- Top spot: The sagebrush valley of Jackson Hole: Scarlet gilia, larkspur, paintbrush and silvery lupine as the valley warms
Sources (5)
Turnbull Refuge
Usually May 11–20
- Closures: Stay on designated trails and roads (Mar 1–Aug 15) (Mar–Aug)
- Getting around: Auto tour route: 5.5 miles to drive, walk or bike; where most of the waterfowl and other wildlife are seen
- Getting around: Pine Lake Loop Trail: Accessible loop; restrooms across from the trailhead
- Getting around: Kepple Peninsula Interpretive Trail: One of the refuge's accessible trails
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Lassen Volcanic
Local timing: May 21–Sep 30
- Closures: Main park road closed to cars (Nov–Apr)
- When does the park road open: Snow clearing usually begins in April. The road has typically opened in late May to mid-June, but once as late as July 26.
- Do I need a reservation to enter: No. The park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and you don't need a reservation to enter.
- Timing tip: Manzanita Lake: 5,900–6,500 ft: flowers from late May through early July
- Top spot: Paradise Meadows: Paintbrush, clover, lupine and gentian at the end of the Hat Lake trail, 2.8 miles round trip
Sources (4)
Rocky Mountain
Local timing: May 21–Aug 10
- Closures: Trail Ridge Road closed (Oct–May)
- When is Trail Ridge Road open: It's a seasonal road, closed to through travel from mid-October to late May.
- Timing tip: Busy season (May–Oct)
- Open: Old Fall River Road open (Jul–Oct)
- Top spot: Trail Ridge Road: Pull-offs and short trails onto the alpine tundra
Sources (3)
Glacier
Local timing: Jun 15–Aug 15
- Is Going-to-the-Sun Road open in wildflower season: It's typically open to through traffic from late June to early October.
- Can I park at Logan Pass: Expect a crowd: the lot often fills before dawn and stays mostly full all day.
- Open: Going-to-the-Sun Road fully open (Jul–Oct)
- Season: Summer season services (May–Sep)
- Top spot: Logan Pass: Alpine meadows with one quick bloom after another; no off-trail travel here
Sources (3)
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Usually April and August
- Cost and permits: Multnomah Falls reservations (May–Sep)
- Cost and permits: Dog Mountain (WA): Upper meadows of yellow balsamroot; weekend permits in season
- Timing tip: Catherine Creek (WA): Among the best early spring wildflowers in the eastern Gorge
Sources (4)
North Cascades
Local timing: Feb 21–Sep 10
- Closures: State Route 20 closed beyond Ross Lake Trailhead (Nov–Apr)
- Is State Route 20 open all year: No. In an average year snow and avalanches close it beyond the Ross Lake Trailhead from mid-November to April.
- Timing tip: Easy Pass and Fisher Basin: Wide meadows under glacial peaks: wildflowers in spring and early summer, golden larches in autumn
- Top spot: Cascade Pass: Yellow glacier lilies right behind the melting snow, and pink mountain heather; 3.7 miles from the trailhead
Sources (3)
Yosemite
Local timing: Mar 1–Aug 31
- Getting around: Cook's Meadow Loop: Yosemite Valley's popular spring wildflower walk
- Getting around: Wawona Meadow Loop: A lower-elevation spring wildflower loop in Wawona
- Timing tip: Gaylor Lakes and Mono Pass: The top of the park, where snowmelt can hold flowers back until early July
- Top spot: McGurk Meadow (Glacier Point Road): Woodland flowers, then the meadow's flower gardens in under a mile
Sources (1)
- National Park Service, Yosemite: Where to See Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Cuyahoga Valley
Local timing: Mar 21–May 15
- Can I bring my dog, and what are the trails like: Leashed dogs are allowed on park trails (leash 6 feet or shorter). The recommended trails are unpaved and often muddy in spring.
- Timing tip: Busy season (Apr–Oct)
- Timing tip: Plateau Trail at Oak Hill Trailhead: Quieter later in the season; jack-in-the-pulpit and wild geranium in May
- Top spot: Furnace Run Trail near Everett Covered Bridge: The Virginia bluebell spot, from late April
Sources (2)
- National Park Service, Spring wildflowers in Cuyahoga Valley ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley parking ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
Local timing: Mar 21–Apr 30
- Getting around: Rock Bridge Trail: 1.4-mile loop at the southeast corner of Red River Gorge, from pine ridges down to the creek
- Open: Great Meadows Campground open (Apr–Nov)
- Open: Grove Campground open (Apr–Oct)
- Top spot: Sheltowee Trace at Whittleton Branch: 2.4 miles along a creek to Natural Bridge State Resort Park; showy orchis and several trilliums
Sources (4)
George Washington and Jefferson
Local timing: Mar 21–May 31
- Timing tip: Back Creek Gorge Trail (Blowing Springs): Easy, level old railroad bed along Back Creek; trilliums, trout lily and toothwort in early spring
- Open: Beartree campground open (May–Oct)
- Open: Bark Camp campground open (May–Sep)
- Top spot: Roaring Run Wildflower Trail: From a historic iron furnace to Roaring Run Falls; pink lady's slippers and showy orchis in spring
Sources (4)
Spearfish Canyon
Local timing: May 1–Jul 10
- Closures: Timon and Rod & Gun campgrounds closed (Dec–May)
- Timing tip: White Spring Area (Redbird Draw): A Black Hills montane grassland near Newcastle, Wyoming: early flowers May–June, gentians in late August
- Season: Spearfish Canyon campgrounds' peak season (May–Sep)
- Top spot: Crow Peak Trail: 3.2 miles one way near Spearfish, climbing to 5,760 ft; arrowleaf balsamroot in mid-June
Sources (4)
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Local timing: May 21–Sep 30
- Festival: Lotus and Water Lily Festival (Jul)
- Is there a fee, and can I bring my dog: It's free, no entrance pass needed. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
- Getting around: The historic ponds: Lotus and tropical water lilies along a walk of half a mile at most
- Top spot: Display pond behind the visitor center: Manchurian lotus, grown from centuries-old seeds and one of the first to bloom; buds begin forming in mid-June
Sources (5)
Guanella Pass
Local timing: Jun 15–Aug 10
- Closures: Boulder Canyon raptor nesting closures (Feb–Jul)
- Cost and permits: Mount Goliath (Dos Chappell Nature Center): Roadside alpine wildflowers on a garden with only about 40 frost-free days a year
- Open: Brainard Lake gate open (Jun–Oct)
- Top spot: Berthoud Pass Trailhead: On the Continental Divide at 11,307 ft, about 1.5 hours west of Denver
Sources (4)
Wind River
Local timing: Jul 15–Aug 31
- Cost and permits: Lewis River falls area: reservations needed (Jun–Sep)
- Season: Falls Creek Falls trail season (Apr–Nov)
- Season: Mt. Adams climbing pass season (May–Sep)
- Top spot: Tatoosh Ridge: Alpine meadows facing Mt. Rainier after a 4–5 mile hike and about 3,000 ft of climbing
Sources (3)
Lava Beds
Local timing: Mar 1–Sep 30
- Is the park open all year: Yes. In winter snow occasionally closes park roads until they're plowed.
- Timing tip: Thomas-Wright Battlefield Trail: Spectacular wildflowers in late spring and early summer; 1.1 miles one way
- Top spot: Gillem Bluff: Yellow bells, biscuitroot and daggerpod on top, a 550-foot climb
Sources (3)
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi
Local timing: Mar 1–May 31
- Getting around: Chickasaw Village (milepost 261.8): A restored prairie with summer flowers; walk the Natchez Trace Trail through it, most variety near the road
- Timing tip: Cypress Swamp (milepost 122.0): Wetland wildflowers, best in spring and early summer; watch for herons and alligators
Sources (1)
- National Park Service, Natchez Trace Parkway common wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Local timing: Mar 21–May 31
- Open: Chilhowee Campground open (Apr–Oct)
- Open: Backbone Rock Campground open (Apr–Oct)
- Top spot: North River Road (Forest Road 217): Drops from over 4,000 ft at Stratton Gap on the Cherohala Skyway to below 2,000 ft; best displays in the first higher miles
Sources (3)
Catoctin Mountain
Local timing: Apr 1–May 31
- Is there a fee, and when is the park open: Admission is free. The park is open every day from dawn to dusk.
- Open: Owens Creek Campground open (May–Oct)
- Top spot: Brown's Farm Trail: One of the park's recommended places to look for wildflowers
Sources (4)
Deer Flat Refuge
Local timing: Apr 1–May 31
- Is there a fee, and can I bring my dog: There's no charge to visit. Dogs are welcome on a leash of 6 feet or less, and waste must be packed out.
- Getting around: Sagebrush Trail: Short accessible interpretive trail from the visitor center to the Upper Dam
- Top spot: Observation Hill Trail: Through sagebrush uplands to a viewing platform over almost the whole Lake Lowell Unit
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Craters of the Moon
Usually Jun 1–30
- When is the Loop Road open: Usually from mid-April to mid-November, though snowstorms in April and May can close it for a while.
- Timing tip: Cinder flats: Dwarf monkeyflowers every year in early summer
- Top spot: Cinder gardens: The first plants on the cinder cones put on spectacular spring wildflower displays
Sources (3)
Minnesota Valley Refuge
Local timing: Jun 1–Aug 31
- Is there a fee: No, there's no charge to visit. Trailhead parking is limited and gets very busy on weekends.
- Getting around: Louisville Swamp: Hike from the Middle Road Trail parking to a glacial erratic; the Mazomani Trail passes wetlands, upland forest and historic sites
- Top spot: Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center: Near Carver: a wide variety of native flowers bloom in the prairie in summer
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Bombay Hook
Local timing: Apr 1–May 31
- Getting around: Bear Swamp Trail: Quarter-mile accessible trail through forest and freshwater marsh; its 30 ft tower and floating platform aren't accessible
- Top spot: Wildlife Drive: 12 miles by car, bike or on foot past freshwater pools, salt marsh, woods and fields; five walking trails start along it
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
San Joaquin River Refuge
Local timing: Apr 1–30
- When is the Beckwith observation area open: Usually mid-October through mid-March, while wintering geese and cranes are there. The Pelican Nature Trail is open every day of the year.
- Top spot: Pelican Nature Trail: About 4 miles in three linked loops, from a trailhead garden of native trees, shrubs and forbs out to an oxbow of the San Joaquin River
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
San Luis Refuge
Local timing: Apr 1–30
- Open: Kesterson Unit open (on foot) (Feb–Sep)
- Top spot: Wetland nature trail: Short stroll from right outside the visitor center
Sources (1)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Whiskeytown
Local timing: Apr 1–Aug 31
- Timing tip: Coggins Park and Shasta Bally: The high country, where flowers peak later, June to August, after the snow melts
- Top spot: South Shore Drive: Firecracker flowers, Indian pink and, in summer, coyote mint along the road
Sources (1)
- National Park Service, Wildflowers of Whiskeytown ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pictured Rocks
Local timing: Apr 15–Jun 10
- Timing tip: Sand Point Road and the trail to Munising Falls: Dense stands of tall cow-parsnip in early to mid-summer
- Top spot: Grand Sable Dunes: Orchids in sheltered pockets, then hoary puccoon and Lake Huron tansy
Sources (1)
- National Park Service, Pictured Rocks Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Mountain Loop Highway
Local timing: Jul 1–Aug 31
- Open: Road to Artist Point open (Jul–Oct)
- Top spot: Skyline Divide: A 2-mile forest climb to a big flower field facing Mt. Baker's glaciers
Sources (2)
- US Forest Service, Artist Point Trailhead ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Skyline Divide (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Mount Rainier
Usually Jul 21–Aug 10
- Getting around: Paradise: Drive-to subalpine meadows, famous for wildflowers; the meadow trails here are paved
- Top spot: Sunrise: The park's other big meadow area you can drive to
Sources (3)

Questions people ask

When do wildflowers peak in 2027?

It depends on the place. In a typical year it comes first to Pinnacles (Mar 1–May 31) and last to Escudilla Mountain (Jul 1–Aug 31). Each place page has its own dates.

Where can I see wildflowers?

We track 42 places: Pinnacles (usually Mar 1–May 31), Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (usually Apr 11–30), Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina (usually Apr 21–May 10), Turnbull Refuge (usually May 11–20), Craters of the Moon (usually Jun 1–30), Escudilla Mountain (usually Jul 1–Aug 31), Mount Rainier (usually Jul 21–Aug 10), Bombay Hook, Catoctin Mountain, Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, Cuyahoga Valley, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, Deer Flat Refuge, George Washington and Jefferson, Glacier, Grand Teton, Guanella Pass, Hanford Reach, John Day Fossil Beds, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Lassen Volcanic, Lava Beds, Long Lake Refuge, Mammoth Cave, Minnesota Valley Refuge, Mountain Loop Highway, Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina, Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, North Cascades, Pictured Rocks, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, Point Reyes, Rocky Mountain, San Joaquin River Refuge, San Luis Refuge, Shenandoah, Spearfish Canyon, Whiskeytown, Wind River, Yellowstone and Yosemite.

How long does the wildflower season last?

Across the places we track, from about Mar 1 (Pinnacles) to Aug 31 (Escudilla Mountain). Each place's own window is shorter.

How do you track wildflowers?

Each place moves through 5 stages: Not yet, Early, Good, Peak and Fading. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.

Wildflowerspeak tracker 2027

Where are wildflowers peaking right now?

Places by state

California

District of Columbia

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Oregon

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Delaware

Idaho

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See two in one trip

Great Smoky Mountains + Blue Ridge Parkway

Know before you go

Questions people ask