Washingtonwildflowers
When do wildflowers bloom in Washington?
Wildflowers usually bloom from mid-May to early August across the 2 Washington places we track. Turnbull Refuge usually May 11–20, per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mount Rainier usually Jul 21–Aug 10, per National Park Service. The next season starts in ~5 months.
Updated Sep 28. Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Places in Washington
- Turnbull Refuge
Usually May 11–20 · starts in ~7 months
- Mount Rainier
Usually Jul 21–Aug 10 · starts in ~10 months
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Places by state
Washington
- Hanford ReachSeason over
Local timing: Apr 1–May 15
- Mount RainierSeason over
Usually Jul 21–Aug 10
- Mountain Loop HighwaySeason over
Local timing: Jul 1–Aug 31
- North CascadesSeason over
Local timing: Feb 21–Sep 10
- Turnbull RefugeSeason over
Usually May 11–20
- Wind RiverSeason over
Local timing: Jul 15–Aug 31
Official reports
- Sep 28Park ServiceBest visit in spring when wildflowers bloom (April and early May) and in fall for rabbitbrush; few facilitiesSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hanford Reach National Monument: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceNo maintained trails; social trail from the White Bluffs Boat Launch to dunes atop the White Bluffs; listed trailsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hanford Reach National Monument: Trails in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceWildflowers peak in mid-May; trails, auto tour route, stay-on-trail season and visitor contact station hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us in a new tab)
Show all 22
- Sep 27Park ServiceBrief alpine bloom, generally mid-July to mid-AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Mt. Adams Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail, Adams Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceAlpine meadows in bloom in late July and AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Tatoosh Ridge (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceA suspension bridge over a rock gorge and a waterfall; season April 1 to December 1; low trails melt out by mid-MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Trail #152A Falls Creek Falls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceElevations from 1,200 ft at Wind River to 12,276 ft on Mt. Adams; climbing pass May 1 to September 30; Lewis River reservations June 15 to September 30Source (opens US Forest Service, Mt. Adams area in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSubalpine meadows from about 4,500 to 6,500 feet; snow can linger into June or JulySource (opens National Park Service, Wildflowers of Mount Rainier in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceDrive-to meadows at Paradise, Sunrise and Tipsoo Lake; hike-in meadows; no off-trail travelSource (opens National Park Service, Photograph Wildflowers in the Subalpine Meadows (Mount Rainier) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServicePeak wildflower season July and AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Skyline Divide (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSubalpine wildflower meadows at the end of the Mount Baker Scenic BywaySource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Heather Meadows (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceA 400-foot fall, best in April or MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Snoquera Falls Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceRoad open about July to October; chains November to AprilSource (opens US Forest Service, Artist Point Trailhead in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceFlowering from late February in low forests to early September in the alpineSource (opens National Park Service, North Cascades wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceGlacier lilies follow the melting snow; Cascade River Road usually open to the trailhead by the end of JuneSource (opens National Park Service, Cascade Pass Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceExtensive meadows; wildflowers in spring and early summer, golden larches in autumnSource (opens National Park Service, Easy Pass Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceBest weather mid-June to late September; SR 20 closed mid-November to AprilSource (opens National Park Service, North Cascades weather in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceAvalanche and flower meadows of cow parsnip, false hellebore and fireweedSource (opens National Park Service, Hidden Lake Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceIn September, meadows start to turn red, orange and yellowSource (opens National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceMany flowers blooming by mid-July; meadows impressive by AugustSource (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier wildflower status in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceVisitation peaks July and August; enter before 10 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m.Source (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier hours in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceTire chains required Nov 1 – May 1Source (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier FAQ in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers in Washington peak in 2027?
It depends on the place. In a typical year: Turnbull Refuge, May 11–20 and Mount Rainier, Jul 21–Aug 10. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see wildflowers in Washington?
We track 6 places: Turnbull Refuge (usually May 11–20), Mount Rainier (usually Jul 21–Aug 10), Hanford Reach, Mountain Loop Highway, North Cascades and Wind River.
How long does the wildflower season last in Washington?
Across the places we track, from about May 11 (Turnbull Refuge) to Aug 10 (Mount Rainier). Each place's own window is shorter.
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.