Keiffer Prairieswildflowers
At Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest, the timing for wildflowers comes in 2 separate phases, each its own display, neither a peak: Spring wildflowers: pale purple coneflower, prairie bluet, winecup, downy phlox and black-eyed Susan, From March to May, forbs dominate the prairies.; and Fall grasses and composites: bluestems, Indiangrass, goldenrods, blazing stars and asters, In fall, from late September to November, both grasses and forbs are abundant.. No official report yet this season.
- March–MaySpring wildflowers: pale purple coneflower, prairie bluet, winecup, downy phlox and black-eyed SusanFrom March to May, forbs dominate the prairies.
- September–NovemberFall grasses and composites: bluestems, Indiangrass, goldenrods, blazing stars and astersIn fall, from late September to November, both grasses and forbs are abundant.
Your guide to the area
Best spots around Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest
- Coldwater Road PrairieOne of the easier openings to find: it straddles a well-developed road (most of the prairies are hidden in dense woodland)
- Carpenter Road PrairiesOne of them straddles a well-developed road; more can be reached on the Gum Springs Horse Trail
- Gum Springs Horse Trail (Little Rock Creek, Long and Milam Branch prairies)The trail reaches the Little Rock Creek and Long Prairies and the Milam Branch Prairies; its horse camp is 8 miles west of Winnfield on US Hwy 84, at a signed junction, with trailer parking, water and a vault toilet
Nearby
- Big Thicket National Preserve139 milate March and AprilSatShowers And Thunderstorms
- Dahomey Refuge165 miApril
- Trinity River Refuge171 miMay through October
- Noxubee Refuge251 mi5 separate phases, from February
- Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi288 miearly March through May, section by sectionSatShowers And Thunderstorms Likely
- Wheeler Refuge383 miAprilSatShowers And Thunderstorms
The year at Keiffer Prairies
- Wildflowers bloom from early March through DecemberNowMar–Dec
- Spring forbs: pale purple coneflower, winecup, downy phlox, black-eyed SusanMar–May
- Fall grasses and composites from late September: bluestems, goldenrods, blazing stars, astersNowSep–Nov
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers bloom at Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest?
In 2 separate phases: Spring wildflowers: pale purple coneflower, prairie bluet, winecup, downy phlox and black-eyed Susan, From March to May, forbs dominate the prairies. and Fall grasses and composites: bluestems, Indiangrass, goldenrods, blazing stars and asters, In fall, from late September to November, both grasses and forbs are abundant.. They're separate displays, not one long season, and neither is a peak.
Is it blooming in Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
How do I find the prairies?
Most openings are hidden by dense woodland. Coldwater Road Prairie and one of the Carpenter Road Prairies straddle well-developed roads, and the Gum Springs Horse Trail reaches several more. For directions to a specific prairie, ask the Winn Ranger District west of Winnfield on US Hwy 84, (318) 628-4664; the office may be closed because of staffing, so call first.Sources: USDA Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Keiffer Prairies (Kisatchie National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab), USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest: Gum Springs Horse Camp ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I wear and bring?
A hat, sunscreen and plenty of water: the prairies can get very hot, almost unbearably so in summer. Mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers are common, so wear long pants and sturdy shoes (not sandals) and use insect repellent.Source: USDA Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Keiffer Prairies (Kisatchie National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where can I park or camp?
At Gum Springs Horse Camp, open 24 hours: plenty of room for trucks with trailers, primitive camping ($10 a night), water and a vault toilet. Riding the trail is free.Source: USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest: Gum Springs Horse Camp ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Could a prairie be burned when I visit?
Yes: the Forest Service periodically burns the prairies and clears brush to keep them open. Check current conditions with the Winn Ranger District.Source: USDA Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Keiffer Prairies (Kisatchie National Forest) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest?
Coldwater Road Prairie: one of the easier openings to find: it straddles a well-developed road (most of the prairies are hidden in dense woodland); Carpenter Road Prairies: one of them straddles a well-developed road; more can be reached on the Gum Springs Horse Trail; Gum Springs Horse Trail (Little Rock Creek, Long and Milam Branch prairies): the trail reaches the Little Rock Creek and Long Prairies and the Milam Branch Prairies; its horse camp is 8 miles west of Winnfield on US Hwy 84, at a signed junction, with trailer parking, water and a vault toilet.
What is Keiffer Prairies, Kisatchie National Forest like through the year?
Wildflowers bloom from early March through December (Mar–Dec), Spring forbs: pale purple coneflower, winecup, downy phlox, black-eyed Susan (Mar–May) and Fall grasses and composites from late September: bluestems, goldenrods, blazing stars, asters (Sep–Nov).