The Yosemite area offers a phenomenal variety of wildflowers, including some of the rarest varieties around. It is home to both native California plants and species that have migrated from the Pacific coast, the Great Basin, southern deserts, and northern mountains. Thanks to Yosemite’s varied elevation and terrain, you can see wildflowers in bloom in different parts of the park for nearly six months out of the year. In the lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada foothills, spring blossoms start as early as March. The higher elevations of the park become free of snow only in late June or July, and spring arrives there much later but brings one of the best wildflower shows.
The brightest species that you can see throughout the park include: shooting stars, purple lupines, lilies, yellow monkeyflowers, paintbrushes, poppies (the California state flower), yellow fiddlenecks, redbuds, and columbines. Popular trails for wildflowers watching in the Lower Elevations are: Cook’s Meadow Loop in the Yosemite Valley, Wawona Meadow Loop in Wawona, Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy, as well as Soda Springs and Parson Lodge, Lyell Canyon, and Elizabeth Lake.
Trails in the Higher Elevations include: McGurk Meadow, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, all along the Glacier Point Road, as well as Gaylor Lakes and Mono Pass, both starting near Tuolumne Meadows. The wildflower blossoming season runs from March until the end of August, but the months of May and June are the best time for the most spectacular wildflower show.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Yosemite to see wildflowers?
The wildflower blossoming season in Yosemite starts from March until the end of August. The months of May and June are known for the most spectacular wildflower show. While lower elevations blooming start as early as March, the higher elevations of the park snow-free in late June or July and bring one of the best wildflower shows. Both native California plants and species that have migrated from different regions notably appear all over the park for six months of the year. Show more
Where can I see wildflowers in Yosemite National Park?
Plenty of trails in Yosemite National Park offer opportunities for wildflower watching. You can try Cook’s Meadow Loop, Wawona Meadow Loop, Wapama Falls, Soda Springs, Parson Lodge, Lyell Canyon and Elizabeth Lake for lower elevations; while McGurk Meadow, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, Gaylor Lakes, and Mono Pass along the Glacier Point Road and vicinity of Tuolumne Meadows for higher elevations. These are some of the beautiful spots to get an impressive wildflower display. Show more
What types of wildflowers can I expect to see in Yosemite?
When it comes to wildflowers, Yosemite National Park has a wide range of diverse varieties, including some rarest ones around. Columbines, purple lupines, poppies (California state flower), lilies, redbuds, yellow monkeyflowers, shooting stars, paintbrushes, yellow fiddlenecks are some of them. So, whether you explore the lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada foothills or the higher elevations of the park, you are set to experience an impressive wildflower display. Show more
How long is the wildflower blossoming season in Yosemite?
In Yosemite National Park, the wildflower blossoming season starts from March and ends in August. While lower elevations blooming starts as early as March, the higher elevations of the park become free of snow only in late June or July, which make it one of the best wildflower shows. During this time, native California plants and species, which have migrated from different regions, bloom in various parts of the park, providing an exciting wildflower display for six months of the year. Show more
Are there any guided tours for wildflower watching in Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park provides numerous options for guided tours for wildflower exploration. You can participate in guided ranger walks, wildflower hikes, and tours, where learning fascinating facts about the park's history, geology, geography, and ecosystems is possible. These tours are obtainable from different tour operators and in the wildflower blossoming season from March to August. You can gather detailed information on the National Park Service website concerning all the tours available. Show more
