Summary
The wildflowers don’t go away when spring turns to summer — you just have to hit the mountains.
One of the perks of long winters is the fields of wildflowers that usher in spring. In the West, the past winter was particularly wet, leading to a wildflower-filled season, especially in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and southern and central California.
However, the fun doesn’t stop once spring gives way to summer. As low-elevation blooms die out, the color spreads to higher elevations, where the wildflower season typically starts in June and runs through August.
“The best flower viewing depends on when and where the snow melts,” Taylore Lowry from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival explains. “Normally, the peak bloom begins in mid-July, but with all the snow this year, we believe the peak will arrive later in the month into early August.”
Albion Basin, Utah
Albion Basin sits at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon near the ski resorts of Alta and Snowbird. Its high elevation and unique wetland make it one of the best places to see wildflowers in the West — especially since Alta Ski Resort saw a 61 percent increase in its average annual snowfall this winter. The Wasatch Wildflower Festival takes place at Snowbird Ski Resort (July 15) and Alta (July 16).
Expected wildflower peak: mid-July to early August
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Northwestern Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort experienced the snowiest winter ever, rewarding wildflower lovers in Grand Teton National Park. The wildflowers start to bloom in May and continue through September, with may variations in dominant flowers. Nonetheless, early to mid-July is generally recognized as peak wildflower season.
Expected wildflower peak: early to mid-July
Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte, recognized as the “wildflower capital,” is an ideal destination for anthophiles. The annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival runs from July 7-16, just before the expected peak bloom period. There are numerous species of flowers that bloom at different times, making the opportunity to enjoy wildflowers almost anytime.
Expected wildflower peak: late July to early August
Beehive Basin, Montana
Just north of Big Sky Resort is the Beehive Basin, considered by some to be the crown jewel of wildflowers. Accessible via a moderate three-mile trail, it hosts a subalpine lake and nearly 300 species of wildflowers from June through August.
Expected wildflower peak: July
Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra, California
While many reference the superblooms in southern and central California, the Eastern Sierras offer their own spectacular displays during summer. Thanks to record snowfall this winter, the wildflowers around Mammoth Lakes are anticipated to be particularly vibrant. The area’s Inyo National Forest botanists host “Wildflower Walks” on select dates in June and July.
Expected wildflower peak: late June to July
San Juan National Forest, Colorado
The San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado covers approximately 1.8 million acres, incorporating the San Juan Mountains and various high alpine lakes. Late July brings fields of colorful wildflowers like columbines and bluebells along high-elevation trails.
Expected wildflower peak: late July
