Spring is in full swing. Take advantage of this season of renewal by taking a road trip through some of the best wildflower viewing areas in the United States.

You’ll soon discover that travelling in late winter or early Spring is the most enjoyable time to do so. The main reasons are cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and the opportunity to see the amazing scene that comes along with the changing seasons.

Whether you are travelling in an Airstream trailer or a tour coach, your flexibility will allow you to chase wildflower blooms wherever they might be. We’ve created a list with our favorite wildflower locations, including the flower types and best times to go. The tour begins in the southern USA, where warmer temperatures arrive earlier in the season. Travel north, and you will see the signs of the change in seasons.

At some of the best viewing spots, wildflowers are in full bloom. So grab your groceries, pack up the Airstream, and prepare to be amazed by the colourful displays.

• 1. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CAFlower Type: Gold Poppies, Phacelia, Tiny Bell Flowers
• Best Time to Go: Jan-Mar

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in the California desert. This barren, stunning landscape is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours by the vibrant wildflowers that bloom in early Spring. Gold poppies, delicate Phacelia and tiny bellflowers paint the desert in a kaleidoscope.

2. Shenandoah National Park

• Flower type: Bloodroot, trillium, violets, geraniums, pink lady slippers.
• The best time to travel: March

Shenandoah National Park, nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, is a paradise for wildflower lovers. As Spring unfolds, the forest floor is transformed into a beautiful canvas. Violets, pink lady slippers, trilliums, violets, and geraniums are all present.

3. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, CA

• Poppies Flower Type
• The best time to travel From mid-March to late April

This reserve, located in Lancaster’s high desert, transforms into an ocean of orange blossoms that stretches as far as the eyes can see. This awe-inspiring phenomenon is best seen between mid-March and late April when endless fields of poppy sway gently in the breeze.

4. Hill Country, TX

• Flower type: Bluebonnets.
• The best time to travel: April

The rolling hills of Texas Hill Country are alive in April with the bluebonnets. The azure bluebonnets are a beautiful sight as winter ends and Spring begins. They cover the countryside in a carpet of azure flowers, adding a touch of natural beauty to the landscape. They are often accompanied by paintbrush flower splotches that are bright reddish-purple.

5. Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee

• Flower type 1,500 types, including trilliums, lady slipper orchids, and violets.
• The best time to travel: Mid-April-late-April

Spring is a time of floral splendour in the misty valleys that make up Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is transformed into a botanical paradise from mid-to-late April, with over 1,500 wildflower varieties, such as trilliums, lady slipper orchids and violets. Hike along icy creeks and dip your toes in.

6. Sugar Hill, NH

• Lupines Flower Type
• The best time to travel Early July

Sugar Hill, located in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, is known for its stunning fields of lupines. These vibrant purple blooms cover the hillsides as June dawns. It’s a scene that looks like it came straight from a fairytale.

7. Glacier National Park, MT

• Flower type: 1,000 different species, including Indian pipes, purple asters and geraniums.
• When to travel: June-July

Glacier National Park is a rugged wilderness that hides a treasure of wildflowers. From June to July, the park is alive with an array of vibrant colors. Geraniums and buttercups are among the many asters, Indian Pipes, and geraniums.

8. Crested Butte (CO)

• Flower type: Lilies, primrose, honeysuckle, iris, marigolds.
• July is the best time to visit

Crested Butte, Colorado’s “Wildflower Capital,” is a flower lover’s paradise. This charming mountain town is awash in blooms from July to August. Lilies, primroses, honeysuckle bushes, iris and marigolds are among the many flowers that adorn its hillsides and meadows.

9. Fort Pierre National Grassland, SD

• Flower type: Purple prairie clover, bluebell, silver bladderpod.
• When to travel Spring/Summer

Fort Pierre National Grassland is located in the American prairie and offers a rich tapestry of native wildflowers. Purple prairie clovers, bluebells, and silver bladderpods are among the many wildflowers that adorn the landscape from Spring to summer. Discover the beauty and resilience of these prairie flowers that add colour to South Dakota’s vast grasslands.

10. Mount Rainier National Park, WA

• Flower type: Bellflowers, bog orchids, bleeding hearts, cinquefoils.
• When to travel: July-August

In the midst of Mount Rainier’s towering peaks, a botanical haven awaits. The park’s alpine fields burst with colour from mid-July through August. A stunning array of bellflowers and bog orchids adorns them. Hike through the high country of the park, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of snow-capped mountains framed by a colourful carpet of wildflowers. This is a stunning sight that embodies the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

When planning your wildflower road trip, check the websites of National Parks and local authorities for the most up-to-date information about bloom times and locations. Always follow Leave No Trace guidelines to ensure that these natural wonders are preserved for future generations. Let the wildflowers’ vibrant colours guide you through the floral tapestry of nature. So rev your engines and roll down your windows!