North Carolinawildflowers
When do wildflowers bloom in North Carolina?
Wildflowers usually bloom from late April to early May at the one North Carolina place we track. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina: usually Apr 21–May 10, per National Park Service. The next season starts in ~6 months.
Updated Sep 28. Source: National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Places in North Carolina
- Blue Ridge Parkway
Usually Apr 21–May 10 · starts in ~7 months
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Places by state
North Carolina
- Blue Ridge ParkwaySeason over
Usually Apr 21–May 10
- Nantahala National ForestSeason over
Local timing: Mar 15–May 15
- Pisgah National ForestSeason over
Local timing: Mar 21–May 15
Official reports
- Sep 27Park ServiceBlooming late March through October; best time late April-early May; earlier in Virginia and at low elevationsSource (opens National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceCatawba rhododendron from early June at Peaks of Otter to the third week of June at Craggy Gardens; April into May for spring wildflowersSource (opens National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway Showy Blooms in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceCatawba rhododendron at Craggy Gardens typically early to mid-June; others through late July; Milepost 364-367Source (opens National Park Service, See the Rhododendrons Bloom at Craggy Gardens in a new tab)
Show all 15
- Sep 27Park Service1.35-mile trail at Milepost 213 with seasonal wildflowersSource (opens National Park Service, Hike the High Meadow Trail at the Blue Ridge Music Center in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceMost wildflowers mid-March to early May; 2-mile figure-eight loop; fee siteSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest Loop Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSteep 1-mile cove-forest trail; best early to mid AprilSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Whitewater Falls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceLower half mile through a cove of spring wildflowers; best mid-April to early MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Appletree Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceHigh-elevation cove, many herbs on calcium-rich soils; best late April to mid-MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Wasilik Poplar Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceGentle 1-mile loop to a small waterfall; best mid to late AprilSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Rufus Morgan Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceCove wildflowers late March to late April; trails July through SeptemberSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceEasy 0.7-mile trail to a waterfall; best mid-April to mid-MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceHigh meadows at 5,400-5,800 ft; best mid-June to late SeptemberSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Flat Laurel Creek Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceFall color mid to late October; flame azalea in May; Catawba rhododendron in June; no entrance fee; open year-round, sections may closeSource (opens National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway FAQ in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceMost visitor centers open May through OctoberSource (opens National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway visitor centers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceMost trees change color in October, starting early in the month on the highest peaks and moving downSource (opens National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers in North Carolina peak in 2027?
In a typical year Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina peaks Apr 21–May 10. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see wildflowers in North Carolina?
We track 3 places: Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina (usually Apr 21–May 10), Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina and Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina.
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.