Every year nature paints the great outdoors with color thanks to magnificent wildflowers. From coast to coast, vibrant wildflower displays transform deserts, valleys, and mountains. The United States is home to spectacular wildflower scenes. Keep reading to discover the best places to see wildflowers in the U.S.
Montana’s Glacier Country
Montana’s Glacier Country is magnificent—from glacial-carved terrain to wildflower-filled meadows. During the spring and summer months the area’s alpine meadows come alive with the vibrant colors of wildflowers.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is home to nearly 1,000 species of wildflowers. The blooms that you spot will depend on when and where you visit. Glacier Country is a destination to explore and enjoy. During spring and summer visits one of the many activities that you should engage in is stopping and smelling the wildflowers. Keep your eyes and nose out for some of the many trailside flowers including the following:
- Arrowleaf Balsamroot
- Bitterroot (Montana’s State Flower)
- Fireweed
- Glacier Lily
- Indian Paintbrush
- Yellowbell
- Clematis
- Pinesaps
- Purple Asters
Keep in mind when visiting national parks that picking the beautiful wildflowers is not permitted. Additionally, visitors should walk with care to avoid stepping on wildflowers. This ensures that the habitats can continue to flourish and other visitors and animals can enjoy the blooms.
Ready to Run?
Western Montana is a runner’s paradise, with countless scenic trails and challenging terrain. During the summer months, Western Montana communities host a number of races and marathons. These events are a great way to explore Western Montana and enjoy its colorful wildflowers. Some of the upcoming events include the following:
- 4 Miles to Freedom holiday run in Libby
- Herron Half along the expansive Foy’s to Blacktail Trails system in Kalispell’s Herron Park
- Buffalo Run annual family-friendly event in St. Ignatius with views of the Mission Mountains
- Flathead Lake Run along the shores of Flathead Lake with post-race fun
The mountains and wildflowers of Western Montana are calling! Request your free print and downloadable Glacier Country Official Travel Guide today!
New Hampshire’s White Mountains
Are you ready to escape to the White Mountains? The area is one of New England’s most popular destinations and for good reason. The area is home to stunning scenery, unlimited outdoor recreation, and (in the spring and summer months) breathtaking wildflowers.
In July, New Hampshire’s White Mountains come alive with a dazzling array of wildflowers. The mountains are known for their vibrant blooms which vary depending on when and where you hike. Keep an eye out for the following flowers when you visit the White Mountains:
- Pink Lady’s Slippers
- White Lady’s Slippers
- Red Trillium
- Painted Trillium
- White Trillium
- Trout Lilies
- Lupines
- Mountain Laurel
- Sheep Laurel
- Rhodora
Take a Hike
The White Mountains are known for their abundance of hiking trails. The best way to enjoy the area and the wildflowers is to take a hike. Some of the more popular trails include the following:
- The Basin in Franconia Notch State Park includes a glacial pothole 25,000 years in the making.
- The Dells, a small historic park in Littleton, offers big, mature trees, a pond, bustling wildlife, and walkability.
- Diana’s Bath, a walkable trail in North Conway, leads to riffles, pools, and cascades.
- Wildcat Trail and Thompson Falls in Gorham takes hikers along a river to beautiful cascades with plenty of trillium, trout lilies, and lady’s slippers along the way.
- Page Pond Community Forest in Meredith offers peaceful wetlands, beaver ponds, and a large network of trails with ample wildflowers.
The flowers are popping in the White Mountains! Now is the time to request your free print and downloadable White Mountains Travel Guide.
New York State
New York State comes alive in the summer months! Beyond the “Big Apple” there is the hidden gem of captivating wildflowers in Westchester County and the enchantment of the Enchanted Mountains.
Teatown Lake Reservation
Located in Westchester County, Teatown Lake Reservation is a 1,000-acre nature preserve. It is a beautiful destination to visit throughout the year and is especially beautiful from April through September. Visitors are encouraged to stroll and wander its 15 miles of hiking trails, which offer glimpses of birds of prey, native animals, and wildflowers.
If you want to see the best and the brightest wildflowers plan to explore the aptly named Wildflower Island. The hidden gem can be found in the middle of Teatown Lake and is home to over 230 species of wildflowers, including rare and endangered varieties. From April through September, visitors can learn more about the wildflowers and the unique sanctuary by taking a guided tour of the two-acre garden island.
When was the last time you visited a wildflower island? Request your free print and downloadable Westchester County Official Travel Guide today!
Allegany State Park
Allegany State Park is an impressive area with beautiful scenery, lakes, and 18 hiking trails. Some of the top wildflower trails in the area include the following:
- Eastwood Meadows and North Country Trail
- Bear Springs Trail
- Patterson and Sweetwater Trail
- Butterfly Meadow
If you want to learn more about the area while you are exploring, check out the Walks & Talks hosted by the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage. The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage promotes outdoor education in Allegany State Park. Some of its wildflower focused classes, walks, and field trips include the following:
- Five-Mile Nature Hike
- Wildflowers Walk
- Botany & More Along The Blacksnake Mountain Trail
- Allenberg Bog Slog
For even more unique and beautiful destinations throughout New York State, check out all of our free print and downloadable New York Guides.
Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory
Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is a treasure. From the top of 11,245-foot majestic Mt. Hood to the fertile Willamette Valley, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is simply breathtaking. As the summer heats up, it comes alive with a dazzling array of colors from its blooming wildflowers.
Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is vast. It includes Mount Hood National Forest and approximately 1.1 million acres of wilderness areas. The forest also offers more than 1,200 miles of hiking trails and an array of beautiful wildflower species. Depending on when and where you visit you may be able to spot some or all of the following:
- Lupine
- Monkeyflower
- Penstemon
- Columbines
- Spreading Phlox
- Yarrow
- Pussypaws
Top Wildflower Destinations
There are countless hiking trails and destinations to choose from in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory. Some of the top wildflower destinations blooming through late July and early August include those listed below:
- Bald Mountain
- Barrett Spur
- Bonney Meadows & Boulder Lake
- Bottle Prairie
- Camas Prairie
- Lost Lake
- Mirror Lake/Tom Dick & Harry
- Vista Ridge
Wildflower season can stretch into September in Mt. Hood Territory. If you want to see late season blooms, check out some of the following destinations:
- Cathedral Ridge
- Cooper Spur
- Eden Park & Cairn Basin
- Elk Cove
- Elk Meadows
- Lookout Mountain & High Prairie
- McNeil Point
- Mount Hood Meadows
- Paradise Park
- Pinnacle Ridge
- Timberline Lodge
With so much to explore, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory is a destination you will return to again and again. Now is the time to request your free print and downloadable Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory Travel Planner.
Stop and Smell the Wildflowers
The United States is filled with magnificent landscapes full of colorful and fragrant wildflowers. Every destination is unique and offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness super blooms. Now is the time to grab your phone, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to chase the bloom. Plan your trip today with our free print and downloadable travel guides.