It’s never too early to dream of spring flowers peeking out of the ground and scattering color on a gray winter landscape, especially if you want to plan a trip to view wildflowers. For an unforgettable display, plan ahead and pitch your tent at one of these eight campgrounds, where you can see a variety of colorful plants, both in the park and nearby.
Plan the perfect spring wildflower camping trip at these state parks.
Rockhound State Park, New Mexico
Look for: Poppies, juniper and pricklypear
The rugged slopes of the Little Florida Mountains provide the perfect setting for Rockhound State Park, which boasts unique trails, geology, wildflower displays, and a peaceful campground. The stunning scenery of the Spring Canyon unit of the park offers a peaceful area for hiking or picnicking.
Raccoon Creek State Park, Pennsylvania
Look for: White trillium, fire pinks and bluebells
Just 30 miles west of Pittsburgh more than 500 species of native plants, many of them blooming in spring reside at Raccoon Creek State Park. With over 7,500 acres the park offers a lot to do with multiple hiking trails and a large campground. Be sure to check out the Wildflower Reserve for an immersive wildflower experience.
October Mountain State Forest, Massachusetts
Look for: Azaleas, rhododendrons and mountain laurel
October Mountain is the largest state forest in Massachusetts. Featuring one of the most scenic trails through Schermerhorn Gorge, wildflowers, brooks, flowering shrubs are plentiful throughout the varied terrain of this vast forest.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Kentucky
Look for: Rue violet, Kentucky bluets and pawpaw
Come in late April to get the best view of spring wildflowers and take part in Wildflower Weekend. Not only will you camp for a discounted rate, but you can also take guided wildflower walks through the park and learn about what you’re seeing.
Valley of the Rogue State Park, Oregon
Look for: Rockslide yellow fleabane, twinflower sandwort and dwarf clover
Head to the Valley of the Rogue for a scenic walk along the Rogue River with trails lined with late spring flowers, standing tall in the afternoon sunshine. Enjoy an evening program, guided walk, or just relaxing in the beautiful scenery surrounding the park.
Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia
Look for: Hepaticas, violets and foam flower
Come to the Blue Ridge Mountains for wildflower viewing, considered to be some of the best in the east. Black Rock Mountain is the highest elevation state park in Georgia and showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with overlooks providing spectacular 80-mile vistas. Late spring flowers, such as umbrella leaf and rue anemone, bloom at higher elevations.
Deer Creek State Park, Utah
Look for: Sand Sage, narrow leaf yucca and blackbrush
The campground is located within 30 minutes of Provo and an hour from Salt Lake City, which is known for its abundance of wildflowers in the spring. Hike the 0.8-mile Cascade Springs Interpretive Trail or 2.1-mile Trail 159 to pass through a series of meadows filled with wildflowers in the spring.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas
Look for: Lavender cenio blossoms, ocotillo ruby and bluebonnets
This large Texas park is home to a variety of spring wildflowers that brighten up the drab desert landscape. Come between February and May, and cruise along the Maxwell Scenic Drive for the best views.
Brown County State Park, Indiana
Look for: Lady-fern, adder’s-tongue and spleenwort
Come to Brown County in late April to enjoy the Wildflower explosion. Take part in a number of hikes, walks, birding adventures and more with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
