Cherry Blossom in Colorado 2025

Colorado is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of blossoming cherry trees. The state is more known for its flowering crabapples, which can seem like cherries from a distance due to similarly pink flowers. However, there are a few spots in the mountainous state where it's possible also to see beautiful cherries dressed in pink and white.

Cherry Blossom Season

Late March to early April is the peak time to view cherry blossoms in Denver. At this time, you can find hundreds of cherry trees in Denver and around the state displaying their glorious pink and white shades.

Denver

Denver’s cherry trees, originally planted after World War II, continue to thrive, filling the streets and paths with soft pink blossoms each spring. Wandering through these areas, like the Cherry Creek Neighborhood or Speer Boulevard, offers a peaceful way to enjoy the beauty of the season. Town Center Park at Green Valley Ranch, with over 200 cherry trees, is another excellent spot to experience this natural spectacle. For those looking for a broader selection of plants and trees, the Denver Botanic Gardens is always a great starting point.

Cherry Creek Neighbourhood

The Cherry Creek Neighborhood in central Denver is one of the best places in Colorado to admire the annual cherry blossoms. Hundreds of trees planted in the late 1940s transformed the area into a pink-and-white paradise each year, with peak bloom occurring in late March or early April. This residential and shopping district is perfect for a leisurely spring walk, with the beautiful blossoms filling the streets.

For those seeking a different way to experience the cherry blossoms, the Cherry Creek Bike Path offers an exciting option. Stretching 22 miles across Denver, this path provides incredible views of the cherry trees and is considered one of the most scenic biking routes in the city. Whether walking or biking, Cherry Creek is a fantastic destination to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

The University of Colorado Campus in Boulder

The University of Colorado campus in Boulder is a beautiful location with an abundant collection of over 4,000 trees from more than 100 species. In April, the campus comes alive with the blooming of cherry and flowering crabapple trees, creating a vibrant spring display. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of trees, including Ginkgo, flowering dogwoods, redbuds, oaks, and aspens. The campus offers stunning views from the vibrant redbuds in spring and summer to the golden hues of oak and aspen trees in the fall, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival, or Sakura Matsuri, in Denver is a two-day celebration of Japanese culture held annually in late June at Sakura Square in downtown Denver. The festival features a vibrant mix of martial arts demonstrations, folk dance, taiko drumming, traditional Japanese food, and an art marketplace. Visitors can enjoy various performances, including Hawaiian slack-key guitar, Japanese sword etiquette, and karate sword demonstrations. The event is free to attend and also includes a marketplace selling Japanese-inspired jewelry, pottery, and apparel. Proceeds benefit the Sakura Foundation and the Buddhist Temple.

Grand Junction

Grand Junction, Colorado, showcases its stunning cherry, peach, and apricot blossoms. As Colorado's fruit capital, the region offers a picturesque backdrop with its mountains. The fruit blossom season begins in April, starting with apricots, peaches, and cherries. Peach blossoms are soft pink, while both cherry and apricot blossoms are pure white. These trees typically bloom in mid-to-late April, continuing through the first week of May, depending on the winter snowfall and spring temperatures. The blend of pastel pink and white blooms creates a breathtaking scene, making Grand Junction a must-visit destination during spring.