Pisgah National Forest, North Carolinawildflowers
Out of season: the next wildflowers season is in 2027.
Right now in Pisgah National Forest · September
- Ranger station open daily · Apr–Nov
- High-meadow wildflowers · Jun–Sep
174days to the next wildflowers seasonMar 21–May 15, The Forest Service's best times for Pisgah's low-cove wildflower areas: late March to mid-May (the high meadows follow from mid-June to late September)
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 6:23 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Pisgah National Forest through the year
- Cove wildflowersMar–May
- Ranger station open dailyNowApr–Nov
- High-meadow wildflowersNowJun–Sep
- Cradle of Forestry closedNov–Apr
- Sunburst Campground closedNov–Mar
Best spots around Pisgah National Forest
- Paint Fork Road covesProtected coves north of the road, which runs along the French Broad River; late March to late April
- Moore Cove Falls trailEasy 0.7 mile to the base of a waterfall, with trilliums and foamflower; mid-April to mid-May
- Flat Laurel Creek Trail2.5-mile loop through high meadows at 5,400 to 5,800 ft; mid-June to late September
- Jacks Branch Trail and River Ridge LoopSteep, grassy south-facing slope from Murray Branch Picnic Area, with a gentler loop; July through September
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Flat Laurel Creek Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, North Carolina seasonal closures (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)
Questions people ask
When is peak wildflowers in Pisgah National Forest in 2027?
The Forest Service's best times for Pisgah's low-cove wildflower areas: late March to mid-May (the high meadows follow from mid-June to late September): Mar 21–May 15. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it blooming in Pisgah National Forest right now?
Not now: the wildflowers season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 174 days (Mar 21–May 15, The Forest Service's best times for Pisgah's low-cove wildflower areas: late March to mid-May (the high meadows follow from mid-June to late September)).
When is the best time to go?
Spring in the low coves (Paint Fork Road late March to late April, Moore Cove Falls mid-April to mid-May), then summer up high: Flat Laurel Creek from mid-June to late September, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop July through September.Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Flat Laurel Creek Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How hard are the trails?
Moore Cove Falls is an easy 0.7 mile each way and Flat Laurel Creek a moderately difficult 2.5-mile loop. Jacks Branch climbs 2.4 miles to the ridge and is for experienced hikers only; River Ridge Loop is a gentler 1.3 miles.Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Flat Laurel Creek Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there restrooms?
Yes at Flat Laurel Creek (no running water) and at Murray Branch Picnic Area by the Jacks Branch trailhead (with drinking water). There are none at Moore Cove Falls.Sources: US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Flat Laurel Creek Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Paint Fork Road, Jacks Branch and River Ridge Loop trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Moore Cove Falls ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Pisgah National Forest?
Paint Fork Road coves: protected coves north of the road, which runs along the French Broad River; late March to late April; Moore Cove Falls trail: easy 0.7 mile to the base of a waterfall, with trilliums and foamflower; mid-April to mid-May; Flat Laurel Creek Trail: 2.5-mile loop through high meadows at 5,400 to 5,800 ft; mid-June to late September; Jacks Branch Trail and River Ridge Loop: steep, grassy south-facing slope from Murray Branch Picnic Area, with a gentler loop; July through September.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Pisgah National Forest?
Cradle of Forestry closed (Nov–Apr); Sunburst Campground closed (Nov–Mar).
What is Pisgah National Forest like through the year?
Ranger station open daily (Apr–Nov), Cradle of Forestry closed (Nov–Apr), Sunburst Campground closed (Nov–Mar), Cove wildflowers (Mar–May) and High-meadow wildflowers (Jun–Sep).