Prairie grassland at Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, with a few yellow flowers (date not given; not a photo of the June bloom). Photo: USFWS · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Crescent Lake Refugewildflowers
Spiderwort, yucca, prickly pear and the endangered blowout penstemon bloom in June, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Waterfowl migration begins in March, peaking in early AprilMar–Apr
- Apr: Grouse dance in mid-AprilApr
- Apr: Giant Canada geese nest, and goslings appear in late AprilApr
- Jun: Spiderwort, yucca, prickly pear and the endangered blowout penstemon bloom in JuneJun
- Aug: Migrating blue-winged teal begin arriving in AugustAug
This week at Crescent Lake Refuge
Right now in Crescent Lake Refuge · September
Next usual wildflowers timingbloom in June, local timing
Today here · Tue, Sep 29
Usual season: bloom in June.
Best spots around Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- Self-guided auto tour routeThe refuge's suggested first stop. Roads here are gravel and one-lane pavement with a 35 mph limit, and the refuge is open sunrise to sunset
- Nature TrailThe 2.07-mile trail on the refuge's trails page; hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public, and two-track mowed trails lead through the refuge
Nearby
- Black Canyon355 miLocal timing: early season (April–June) · starts in ~6 monthsTuMostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers, rain likelyWeRain Showers, rain likelyThSunnyFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoSunny, rain likely
- Arches429 miLocal timing: generally the best months: April and May · starts in ~6 monthsTuMostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeCloudyThSunnyFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoSunny
- Grand Teton446 miLocal timing: May through SeptemberTuSunny, frost (32°F)WeSunnyThSunnyFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoMostly Sunny
- Bandelier463 mi2 separate phases, from can start blooming in March · starts in ~5 monthsTuShowers And Thunderstorms, rain likelyWeShowers And Thunderstorms Likely, rain likelyThSunny, wind to 20 mphFrSunnySaSunnySuSunnyMoSunny
Crescent Lake Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is peak wildflowers in Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge in 2027?
Spiderwort, yucca, prickly pear and the endangered blowout penstemon bloom in June, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: bloom in June. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it blooming in Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildflowers window for this year has passed. Next time: bloom in June, local timing.
Can I drive the refuge roads right now?
Take care: as of September 2026 the refuge warns that after a recent wildfire and extreme dry conditions, its trails and roads may be impassable even with four-wheel drive. Use extreme caution if you leave the county roads.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it open?
The refuge is open sunrise to sunset. The refuge office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I pick the flowers?
No. Collecting plants, animals, antlers, minerals and artifacts is prohibited on the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Rules and Policies ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What is blowout penstemon?
The refuge's only endangered plant, found here in 1987. It fell from 2,058 plants to 329 by 2006; transplanting brought it back to over 3,600 by 2018, and that work is still going on.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How long is the drive in?
Plan on about an hour of driving after you leave the highway from the north or south. From Oshkosh, go north on West Second Street for 28 miles, following refuge signs.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge?
Self-guided auto tour route: the refuge's suggested first stop. Roads here are gravel and one-lane pavement with a 35 mph limit, and the refuge is open sunrise to sunset; Nature Trail: the 2.07-mile trail on the refuge's trails page; hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public, and two-track mowed trails lead through the refuge.
What is Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waterfowl migration begins in March, peaking in early April (Mar–Apr), Grouse dance in mid-April (Apr), Giant Canada geese nest, and goslings appear in late April (Apr), Spiderwort, yucca, prickly pear and the endangered blowout penstemon bloom in June (Jun) and Migrating blue-winged teal begin arriving in August (Aug).
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Rules and Policies (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Activities (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Crescent Lake NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)