Top 5 Spring Flower Fields in the U.S. | United Airlines

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Pink and red flowers on a mountain covered in trees and green plants.

There are over 20,000 native wildflower species found across the United States. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

The top 5 spring and summer flower fields in the U.S.

Christina WellsMarch 12, 2025

Spring has bloomed and summer is just around the corner, welcoming the beauty and wonder of wildflower season. Stop to smell the roses (and more) on your next trip to these 5 wildflower destinations in the States.

Shenandoah National Park

A sunset over a field with yellow flowers.
Shenandoah is home to one of the largest varieties of wildflowers in the U.S. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Stretching across the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Shenandoah is known for having 800 types of wildflowers that bloom from March to October. The highlight is the scenic Skyline Drive through the park, where delicate bluets, blushing pink azaleas and dozens of other flowers gently sway along the roadside and in meadows. May is when visitors can experience the greatest variety of flowers.

Pro tips:

  • Bring a light jacket for cooler spring days.
  • Depending on weather, the Skyline Drive might close.

Fly to Charlottesville to see a variety of wildflowers.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

People walk on a path through a field covered in bright orange flowers.
Travel to California to see the wild poppy super bloom. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

The Poppy Reserve is defined by fields blanketed in California’s state flower. The vibrant orange poppies create a breathtaking display across the reserve’s 1,700 acres, visible from several trails that run through rolling hills. Peak bloom is mid-April, but flowers can start budding as early as mid-February. Come early to catch their petals fully open in the morning sunlight.

Pro tips:

  • There are paved trails for wheelchairs and strollers.
  • Strong winds are common in the afternoon.

Fly to Burbank to see the brilliant poppies.

Texas Hill Country

A barn house surrounded by trees and a field of blue flowers.
Every year, bluebonnet seeds are planted along highways to enhance the annual bloom. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Spring has arrived when the landscape of Texas Hill Country becomes a dazzling sea of blue. With a late March bloom, April is the perfect time to take a drive on one of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails—a mapped 40-mile route following roads carpeted with Texas’ vibrant blue state flower. Or visit Wildseed Farms, the nation's largest working wildflower farm, for wine tasting and a stunning view of 200 blooming acres.

Pro tips:

  • Rent a car to follow the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails.
  • Expect cool and rainy weather.

Fly to Austin to explore the stunning Hill Country.

Crested Butte

A meadow of purple flowers and a mountain under a cloudy sky.
People come from all over to enjoy the week-long celebration of Colorado’s stunning wildflowers. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Crested Butte is called the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” for good reason. Trails like Rustler Gulch are ideal for spotting summer blooms, including the star-shaped columbine, bright yellow glacier lilies and rose-purple fireweed. Visit late July through early August for peak season or mid-July to attend workshops and take guided hikes at the Wildflower Festival.

Pro tips:

  • Wildflower season is also Colorado’s monsoon season.
  • Use the Crested Butte wildflower trail guide to learn more about hiking difficulty.

Fly to Gunnison for the Wildflower Festival.

Fort Pierre National Grassland

Tall grass bends in a breeze under sunlight.
Fort Pierre’s native grasses can grow up to six feet tall. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

If you’re a fan of flowers and wildlife, the Fort Pierre National Grassland won’t disappoint. Come between May and early June to view antelopes roaming among the waving grass and patches of vibrant flowers. For those who enjoy birdwatching, keep an eye out for the burrowing owls and golden eagles.

Pro tips:

  • Bring your own food, water and other supplies.
  • Be aware of rattlesnakes when walking off trail.

Fly to Sioux Falls to see the wildlife and waving grass.

Start planning your trip now to enjoy wildflower season this spring and summer.

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