There are few more beautiful emblems of spring than cherry blossoms. The delicate pink and white flowers have a short blooming period, usually peaking between late March and late April, depending on the location. This spring, camp at a park that has cherry trees or is close to a cherry blossom festival, and revel in the allure of this special spring blossom.
Recommended: Preparing for Spring Camping
1. A Top Place to See Cherry Blossoms in PA: Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
Cherry Springs State Park is a remote and wild park named for its large indigenous cherry trees – and is a fantastic place to see cherry blossoms in PA. The park’s black cherry trees bloom as showy and fragrant white flowers in cone-shaped pendulous clusters in early spring, making for fantastic sights and smells. The park is also a draw for astronomy lovers thanks to the exceptionally dark skies above. In fact, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing and astronomical study. Additionally, there are miles of backpacking and hiking within the park and the adjacent Susquehannock State Forest. The park has 29 rustic campsites for rent.
2. Where to See Cherry Blossoms near DC? Pohick Bay Regional Park, Virginia
Pohick Bay Regional Park is just a 30 minute drive from Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin, considered by many to be the nation’s star place to see cherry tree blossoms. In early spring, thousands of cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin, a reservoir adjacent to the Thomas Jefferson and FDR memorials, burst with pink and white Japanese cherry trees. The trees were originally planted as a gift from the people of Japan in 1912 and its flowers have become an attraction for tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a two-week-long celebration from late March through early April when the trees are in full bloom.
Besides the proximity to D.C., Pohick Bay Regional Park has a network of trails along the waterfront, as well as boat rentals and a Pirate’s Cove waterpark. There are 150 campsites to camp overnight.
Recommended: Preparing for Spring Hunting Season
3. What’s a Great Place to See Cherry Blossoms in GA? High Falls State Park, Georgia
If there’s one place that can give D.C. a run for its money as the best place in the nation to see cherry blossoms, then it is Macon, Georgia. The city claims the title as the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.” With over 350,000 cherry trees, Macon has about 90 times more cherry trees than our nation’s capital. Each spring, Macon hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival in late March showcasing its Yoshino cherry trees, most of which you can find at Central City Park.
Located northwest of Macon, just a 40 minute drive from downtown Macon, High Falls State Park is named for tumbling cascades on the Towaliga River. Visitors can hike along the river and through forested hills, or camp at this popular camping destination with 120 campsites, including 6 yurts open year-round.
4. Great Place to See Cherry Blossoms in CO: Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado
As you might have guessed, Denver’s Cherry Creek State Park is a fantastic spot to stay just nine miles from the Cherry Creek neighborhood to enjoy blooming cherry trees. The trees, which burst with soft pink petals in early spring, are planted along winding paths. Besides marveling at the trees, Cherry Creek State Park is abundant with outdoor opportunities. The park is anchored around a large reservoir and set amidst a natural prairie environment of gentle, rolling hills. Boat, paddle, or fish the reservoir, or take advantage of facilities for radio-controlled aircraft, picnicking, or shooting at the range. There are 142 campsites with modern facilities.
Recommended: Gulf Coast Road Trip
5. A Top Place to See Cherry Blossoms in NY: Four Mile Creek State Park, New York
The Japanese Garden in Delaware Park in Buffalo hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of April. The festival brings awareness to its treasured Cherry Tree Grove, and aims to encourage and expand the planting of cherry trees in Buffalo so that spring can become a ‘blizzard of blossoms’ to follow the area’s famous winter blizzards. Four Mile Creek State Park is just a 30 minute drive to Buffalo and is located on the shore of Lake Ontario, about 15 minutes north of Niagara Falls. Considered a flagship park with top-notch facilities, visitors can enjoy biking, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping in one of 253 campsites.
6. Catch This Place to See Cherry Blossoms in OR: Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Salem, Oregon hosts the Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol to celebrate the city’s stunning cherry blossoms, as well as important cultural contributions the Japanese have had on the local community. Festivities occur in mid-March, although you can see cherry blossoms here as early as late February. The best place to see the trees is The Capitol Mall, where cherry trees line the pathways leading to capitol.
About a 20 minute drive to Salem is Silver Falls State Park. Dubbed the ‘crown jewel’ of the Oregon State Parks system, Silver Falls State Park is a standout scenic treasure nestled in the foothills of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, with plenty of recreational opportunities including camping with 121 campsites for rent.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.