Florals in the spring may not be groundbreaking, but they never get old. And nothing proves that quite like wildflower season. From spring blooms to summer meadows and even winter sunflower fields, pretty wildflowers entice visitors from far and wide to visit small towns, national parks, and fan-favorite destinations all over the globe to see mesmerizing mosaics of one of nature’s simplest and headiest wonders. If you want to enjoy the sights and scents of spring, these wildflower gardens will add that perfect dash of color to your next getaway.
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Table of Contents
- 11 Best Places to See Pretty Wildflowers in the US
- 4 Additional Spots Around the Globe to See Pretty Wildflowers
- Explore the Best Places to See Pretty Wildflowers with Next Vacay
11 Best Places to See Pretty Wildflowers in the US
Ready to shake off your winter blues? Warm weather, rain showers, and sunny skies herald the arrival of spring, shoulder season travel, and of course, wildflower season in the US. Prepare to dust off the last snow of the winter season and marvel at the natural beauty of these 11 stunning wildflower destinations in the US.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
What to See: American bistort, aster, avalanche lily, beargrass, broadleaf arnica, cinquefoil, and paintbrush
Few places are as unique or stunning as Mount Rainier for enjoying wildflowers. Mount Rainier might be one of the snowiest places on Earth. But come summer, it begins to look like springtime in the valley. A staggering elevation of 14,410 feet means spring takes a little longer to arrive, but when it does, it does so with a flourish. Hundreds of species of wildflowers create a breathtaking display of subalpine and alpine parks that make summertime a photographer’s paradise.
The aptly named Paradise is a prime wildflower viewing spot in the park, with gorgeous snow-capped mountains creating a stunning backdrop to flower-filled meadows. But this park isn’t short on trails to appreciate the blooming beauties. Mount Rainier offers something for everyone to enjoy, from the family-friendly Sheep Lake to the scenic Alta Vista and the challenging Skyline Trail. And with only a two-hour drive from Seattle, it’s a can’t-miss escape from the big city to enjoy nature and the wildflower season.
When to Go: Mid-July to mid-August
Glacier National Park, Montana
What to See: Arctic lupine, butterwort, fireweed, glacier lily, and mountain heather
Snow squalls from winter to summer, harsh winds, frigid nights, and blazing ultraviolet lights are no match for the stunning flora of Glacier National Park. The wildflowers that grow here have adapted many biological defenses, from fuzzy leaves that retain moisture to fine hairs that trap heat. All these adaptations mean that Glacier National Park is blanketed with nearly a thousand species of wildflowers when summer finally rolls around. Knowing these flowers did the impossible to survive a harsh winter truly makes seeing them all the sweeter. And to do just that, Glacier National Park has countless trails, including the high alpine meadows of Preston Park, the sprawling carpet of wildflowers along the Hidden Lake trail, and so much more.
When to Go: Late June to mid-July
Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, California
What to See: California poppy, California goldfield, cream cup, lupine, Mojave suncup, and owl’s clover
Heavy rainfall in Southern California means the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve’s 1,700 acres become carpeted in a dazzling display of poppies. Though poppies are known to come in a variation of colors that range from white to red, the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve stands out for its unique and eye-catching fields of orange poppies. Poppies are temperamental creatures, from closed and less vivid on cool mornings to sunburned and wilted on a summer-like day. The best time to view the poppies is on a warm day, but not too warm, with plenty of sun. Be sure to slather on the sunscreen; with no shade along the trails, you’ll be soaking up the sunshine right alongside the poppies!
When to Go: Mid-March to early May
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
What to See: Bitterroot, bluebell, Engelmann’s aster, evening primrose, fireweed, glacier lily, and iris
Yellowstone National Park enchants visitors all year round with its beautiful landscapes, from cascading waterfalls to shooting geysers and towering canyon walls. But this stunning park has another less-talked-about highlight that’s an absolute must-see: wildflower season. Thanks to Yellowstone’s diverse habitats, the park is blanketed by a variety of pretty wildflowers in the warmer months, from bitterroot and evening primrose in the northern range, which includes Mammoth and Lamar Valley, to lupine and paintbrush in Dunraven Pass. And while these beauties can be viewed from the road, nothing beats exploring on foot. Some of the best trails to do just that are Beaver Ponds Trail, Trout Lake Trail, and Mount Washburn Trail. Suffice it to say that while you may have your work cut out for you to glimpse a grizzly or loping wolf, the wildflowers in Yellowstone won’t disappoint!
When to Go: Early June to mid-July
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
What to See: Brittlebush, desert marigold, barrel cactus, Mexican gold poppy, penstemon, and strawberry hedgehog
While deserts are often portrayed as barren wastelands in fiction, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Desert landscapes teem with just as much beauty and life as lush landscapes, and the Saguaro National Park is the perfect example. Located within the Sonoran Desert, the park is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. Plants within the desert are adapted to withstand drought, even going dormant during long periods without water. But when they bloom, they’re a sight to behold. Visitors can enjoy stunning blooms throughout the warmer seasons, from spring flowers, like brittlebush and desert zinnia, to summer cactus flowers, like prickly pear and buckhorn cholla.
When to Go: March to June
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
What to See: Agave, brittlebush, chuparosa, dandelion, evening primrose, fishhook cactus, lavender, ocotillo, and sand verbena
In Southern California, less than 100 miles from San Diego, lies a springtime gem that gets more than just the bees buzzing. Stretching over 600,000 acres, the Anza Borrego Desert is California’s largest state park. With the arrival of spring, this desert oasis turns into a colorful tapestry of wildflowers. The best blooms come after a wet winter and heavy rainfall that feed dormant seeds, which then bloom all across the sprawling sandy flats. Visitors can admire the flowers and glimpse bighorn sheep hiking Borrego Palm Canyon, explore the lush wildflowers and palms of Hellhole Canyon, or delve into the slot canyons surrounding Calcite Mine.
When to Go: March to April
Picacho Peak State Park, Arizona
What to See: Arizona Rosemallow, chuparosa, Coulter’s lupine, fairy duster, marigold, palo verde tree, poppy, and scorpion weed
Another colorful park nestled within the sprawling boundaries of the Sonoran Desert is Picacho Peak State Park. And just like Saguaro, springtime turns these sandy plains into a waking wonderland of wildflowers. While it’s true that April showers bring May flowers in other parts of the country, Picacho Peak sees an earlier spike of spring blooms than elsewhere, with magnificent pops of color sprouting as early as February. The flowers populate the mountain’s base, making for incredibly scenic views with the impressive peak as the backdrop.
When to Go: Late February to April
Hill Country, Texas
What to See: Bluebonnet, buttercup, coneflower, Drummond’s phlox, Firewheel paintbrush, spiderwort, and verbena
The rolling hills and sprawling fields of Texas Hill Country may make for picture-perfect scenery year-round, but little can compare to the beauty of spring. Wildflower season blankets the region in color, from blue bluebonnets to fiery red paintbrushes, turning all the vast and wild expanse of Hill Country into captivating tapestries. Head to Dripping Springs Ranch Park for meandering trails through wildflower fields, or hop in the car for a scenic drive down Highway 290 with fields of bluebonnets as the view. For the perfect spring wildflower drive, the Highland Lakes boasts the views one would expect of a place called the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas. Get lost amid the side roads, enjoy picturesque lake views, and stick around for the Bluebonnet Festival in April.
When to Go: March to May
Crested Butte, Colorado
What to See: Elephant’s head, glacier lily, lupine, orchid, paintbrush, shooting star, and sunflower
Crested Butte isn’t nicknamed the Wildflower Capital of Colorado for nothing! Come summertime, rolling hills are covered in lupine rainbows, gorgeous groves teem with vibrant flowers, and sprawling meadows look more like carpets of aspen sunflowers, columbines, and paintbrushes. Head to the Lupine Trail to experience a sensory explosion of fragrant lupines in every color interspersed with appearances of larkspur and mule ears dotting the journey. From the cascading falls of Rustler Gulch Trail to the rugged beauty and panoramic vistas of Gothic Mountain, Crested Butte doesn’t disappoint as a wildflower paradise.
When to Go: June to mid-July
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
What to See: Balsamroot, Barrett’s beardtongue, Columbia Gorge Daisy, long-beard hawkweed, lupine, and smooth-leaf Douglasia
The beautiful Columbia River Gorge is an 80-mile stretch of land that, come April, is dotted with pretty wildflowers. One particular seven-mile stretch captivates visitors year after year: the Wildflower Corridor. Located between Hood River and the Dalles, the corridor boasts six locations, three in Oregon and three in Washington, that make for stunning locations to see wildflowers. There is no shortage of ways and places to appreciate the beauty of Columbia River Gorge, from hikes that combine Oregon’s pretty wildflowers with its breathtaking falls and scenic drives that wind past flowering hillsides, alpine lakes, and lavender fields.
When to Go: April to early June
Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
What to See: Lupine
From the gardens to the fields and the farms to the roadsides, Sugar Hill bursts with lupines. It’s no wonder why it’s considered the lupine capital of New Hampshire. Every year, during the second week of June, Sugar Hill hosts the Sugar Hill Lupine Festival. The festival celebrates the gorgeous blooms that bring the city to life with fun, themed events and spectacular lupine views. But you don’t have to stick to the streets or the crowds to enjoy Sugar Hill’s lupines. Lace up your shoes for a walk through Sampler Field, or jump in your car to mosey down to Pearl Lake and loop around to Lovers Lane. And no visit to Sugar Hills would be complete without a stop by St. Matthews Chapel—the stark white, steepled church surrounded by lupines that makes for a can’t-miss photo op.
When to Go: June to July
4 Additional Spots Around the Globe to See Pretty Wildflowers
The US isn’t the only place to see pretty wildflowers. Globetrotters looking to scratch that wildflower itch will delight in these gems that pair sprawling fields of wildflowers with prominent peaks, romantic architecture, and, best of all, breathtaking views.
Umbria, Italy
What to See: Asphodel, clover, cornflower, daisy, poppy, and violet
Nestled between the prominent peaks of Monti Sibillini in Umbria lie the unassuming green plains of the Piano Grande. But come summertime, the Piano Grande is awash with color. Known as la fioritura, the annual flowering of the region unveils a vivid kaleidoscope of colors dancing across the fields to create beautiful mosaics of crimson poppies, blue cornflowers, golden yellow daisies, and more. And interspersed among the beautiful wildflowers are the flavorful Castelluccio lentils farmed by the locals. Between its colorful blooms and earthy lentils, the region is famous for its sensory exploits. One can even mark the lentils’ growth cycle by the wildflower blooms. It’s an exciting and dazzling display that attracts thousands every year to appreciate the blend of cultivation and nature.
When to Go: Mid-May to early July
Madeira, Portugal
What to See: Agapanthus, begonia, bird of paradise, camellia, freesia, jasmine, magnolia, orchid, and viper’s Bugloss
Touted as a living garden, Madeira is a floral paradise that boasts over 3,000 species of flowering plants. Foreign varieties flourish side by side with native species, and thanks to the island’s subtropical climate, stunning blooms are common throughout the year. But nothing hits quite like spring, which offers a floral phenomenon like no other. The annual Madeira Flower Festival is a great place to start, but visitors can’t come to the island without hiking its famous levadas. Levada dos Balcoes is an easy one that pairs mountain views with the island’s gorgeous flora. Another recommended route is Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which boasts green valleys, cascading falls, and an abundance of wildflowers. However one chooses to experience it, the Atlantic garden of Maidera is a spring must-see.
When to Go: April to June
Iceland
What to See: Alaskan lupine, angelica, buttercup, cottongrass, forget-me-not, harebell, and mountain aven
Iceland is famously the land of fire and ice, but it’s not all lava fields and glaciers here. Amid the country’s barren bluffs and black sand beaches, spring and summer unveil a colorful side to the island, one of lush vegetation and blooming wildflowers. In the south, admire fields of lupines surrounding pretty churches like Víkurkirkja and Ingjaldshóll and beautiful mountains like Mount Vestrahorn. But it’s not all fields of lupines. Visitors can admire plenty of other pretty wildflowers in Iceland, from harebells dotting the rocky soils around Lómagnúpur to cottongrass in the wetlands surrounding Landmannalaugar. Though Iceland is undoubtedly known for its dramatic landscapes and heavy-hitting natural wonders, its subtle beauties do their fair share in making this one-of-a-kind destination stand out.
When to Go: June to July
Bua Tong Fields, Thailand
What to See: Cosmos, Marigold, Mexican sunflower
While winter blankets most of the Western world in a white coat, there is a place where it turns the land to gold. In Thailand, yellow flower fields stretch into the distance atop a mountain called Doi Mae Mae Ukho, creating a golden sea and a feast for the eyes. Originally native to Mexico, the Bua Tong flowers carpet the hills around Khun Yuam, creating spectacular scenery of yellow-covered hills stretching into the horizon. The best spot to view the flowers is Thung Bua Tong Forest Park, where viewing platforms tout breathtaking panoramas of the flowers. During this time, the Bua Thong Flower Festival celebrates the floral event with cultural performances, local handicrafts and food, and, of course, floral viewings to appreciate this natural wonder.
When to Go: Late November to December
Explore the Best Places to See Pretty Wildflowers with Next Vacay
Pictures never do the real thing justice. Want to plan a trip to see the pretty wildflowers in person? Then Next Vacay can help. With deals to destinations all over the globe, you can catch a flight to New Hampshire to attend the Sugar Hill Lupine Festival or book your trip to Thailand to see the Bua Tong Fields with your own eyes. Better yet, you can do both. The world and its wildflowers are a click away. Join Next Vacay, and start planning your wildflower getaway today.
