Slate Mountainwildflowers
National forestAt Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest), the timing for wildflowers is During July; that spot's window for this year has passed. That's one spot's timing, not Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest)'s own peak dates: Meadow flowers along the lower Slate Mountain Trail (31E14), per the U.S. Forest Service.
Checked against 4 official sources · How we check →
About Slate Mountain
- What it is
- A national forest in California
- What you'll see
- Wildflowers · During July (a season)
- Before you go
- Trails: About 4 miles one way with 2,000 feet of climbing, and the meadows are in the lower section.
- Bikes: Motorized bikes and ATVs are not allowed on trails in Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Right now at Slate Mountain
Right now in Slate Mountain · October
- Quaking Aspen Campground (trailhead) open April 15 through October 27, weather permitting · Apr–Oct
Next 7 days at Slate Mountain
Last checked Fri, Oct 2: our daily Weather Service update hasn't come through since. Check weather.gov before you go.
Your guide to the area
Visitor points on this map: Quaking Aspen Group Campground (0.1 mi) · Upper Peppermint Campground (2.9 mi) · Magician (needles) Trailhead (3.6 mi) · Coy Flat Campground (4 mi) · Lewis Camp Trailhead (4.5 mi) · Jerkey Trailhead (4.7 mi) · Johnsondale Bridge River Access (11 mi) · Sherman Pass Vista Observation Site (13.6 mi)
Places on this map (1)
Best spots around Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest)
Lower meadows on the Slate Mountain Trail (31E14)
Best spot
Several meadows in the trail's gently climbing lower section, covered in July with corn lilies, sneezeweed, columbine, rein orchids, leopard lilies and geraniums. The trailhead is near site 23 in Quaking Aspen Campground
Slate Mountain Botanical Area ridge
Best spot
Past the saddle about 2 miles up (the Botanical Area's border), the trail climbs a rocky south-facing ridge where several rare flowers grow; they appear briefly after snowmelt
Around Slate Mountain
Foothill wildflowers in California
30 mi away
Season: Late March through late May
Show all 13 →
Next season here: Wildflowers, During July, at one spot.
The year at Slate Mountain
- Quaking Aspen Campground (trailhead) open April 15 through October 27, weather permittingNowApr–Oct
- Purple mountain parsley on Slate Mountain's rocky ridgeMay–Jun
- Jul: Meadow flowers along the lower Slate Mountain Trail, JulyJul
Questions people ask
When is peak wildflowers in Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) in 2027?
We don't have local timing for Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) yet. Meadow flowers along the lower Slate Mountain Trail (31E14), per the U.S. Forest Service: During July. That's for that one spot, not the whole place.
Is it blooming in Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) right now?
Not now: that spot's wildflowers window for this year has passed. Next time: During July, at one spot.
How long is the Slate Mountain hike?
About 4 miles one way (8 round trip) with 2,000 feet of climbing, from about 7,000 to 9,000 feet. The meadows are in the lower section.Source: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where do you park for the Slate Mountain trail?
The trailhead for Trail 31E14 is near site 23 in Quaking Aspen Campground. You can ask the campground host about parking, or park on the road across from the entrance without blocking traffic.Source: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can you ride a motorbike or ATV on the Slate Mountain trail?
No. Motorized bikes and ATVs are not allowed on trails in Giant Sequoia National Monument.Source: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the nearest services to Slate Mountain?
In Springville, 26 miles west. Highway 190 beyond Springville is a steep, curvy two-lane mountain road, so drive carefully, and carry a map, food, water and extra clothing.Source: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest)?
The best spots are Lower meadows on the Slate Mountain Trail (31E14) and Slate Mountain Botanical Area ridge. Lower meadows on the Slate Mountain Trail (31E14): several meadows in the trail's gently climbing lower section, covered in July with corn lilies, sneezeweed, columbine, rein orchids, leopard lilies and geraniums. The trailhead is near site 23 in Quaking Aspen Campground. Slate Mountain Botanical Area ridge: past the saddle about 2 miles up (the Botanical Area's border), the trail climbs a rocky south-facing ridge where several rare flowers grow; they appear briefly after snowmelt.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest)?
Yes, one thing to plan for. Quaking Aspen Campground (trailhead) open April 15 through October 27, weather permitting (Apr–Oct).
What is Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) like through the year?
Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) has something to see in 3 months of the year. Meadow flowers along the lower Slate Mountain Trail, July: Jul. Quaking Aspen Campground (trailhead) open April 15 through October 27, weather permitting: Apr–Oct. Purple mountain parsley on Slate Mountain's rocky ridge: May–Jun.
How we know · Sources (4)
How we know
US Forest Service, Slate Mountain Botanical Area brochure, 2025 (Sequoia National Forest) (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Slate Mountain Botanical Area (Sequoia National Forest) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · US Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest: Quaking Aspen Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)