Shenandoah National Park guide · 1 min read
Spring Wildflowers and Wildflower Weekend
Spring is a strong time to see wildflowers in Shenandoah National Park, which is home to 862 species within its boundaries.
Many people visit in autumn for the foliage, but in spring the trees leaf out and flowers push up through the leaf litter on the forest floor. The season runs from mid-March through the end of May, bringing a steady succession of blooms as the weather warms.
The park's wildflower calendar shows which flowers bloom at which times, so you can plan walks around the blossoms you most want to see. Wildflower Weekend is the park's annual celebration of spring blooms, held on a weekend in May. Its guided hikes and programs look at the flowering plants the park protects, along with other changes that come with the season. Guest naturalists and program leaders take part, and the programs are open to adults and children alike. The weekend also includes a ceremony at Byrd Visitor Center, where winning entries from the Youth Wildflower Art Contest are recognized.
Spring is also a busy time for wildlife. Animals that stayed hidden through winter begin to reappear, and many migratory birds pause in the park while heading north. More than 190 bird species live in the park year-round or pass through, and about half of them nest there. Among the nesting birds are eighteen species of warblers.
Skyline Drive follows the spine of this long, narrow park, and the road gives access to many overlooks, visitor centers, and trailheads. The central section, where the summits climb highest, holds a large share of the overlooks and hiking trails.
