Click This Link for: The Death Valley Wildflower Update

Will the flowers be good this year? Where can we go to see them? What kinds/colors will there be? When will the peak bloom be?

These questions are often asked by people planning spring visits to Death Valley. Although there are many variables involved in the desert wildflower shows, there are a few guidelines you can use to find answers to these questions.

Some years the desert is spectacular with wildflowers; other years the blossoms are almost nonexistent (but never totally absent). A good wildflower year depends on at least three things:

There are over 1000 plant species in Death Valley National Park, including 13 species of cactus and 23 endemics (plants that are known to grow only in the Death Valley region). Most of the "showy" plants are desert annuals, also referred to as ephemerals (short-lived). Colors range from white and yellow to purple, blue, red and bright magenta.

The best time to see a spring floral display is in years when rainfall has been several times the Death Valley annual average of about 1.9 inches. In general, heavy rains in late October with no more rain through the winter months, will not bring out the flowers as well as rains that are evenly-spaced throughout the winter and into the spring.

Peak Blooming Periods for Death Valley are usually...

Mid February - Mid April at lower elevations (valley floor and alluvial fans)

Early April - Early May at 2,000 to 4,000 ft. elevations

Late April - Early June above 4,000 ft. elevations

Happy Hunting...
Please remember, you are in a National Park. Regulations prohibit picking of wildflowers so that they may be enjoyed by everyone.

 White

 Orange / Red

 Yellow

 Pink / Lavender

 Blue / Purple

 Green / Brown

White

Orange/Red

Yellow

Pink/Lavender

Blue/Purple

Green/Brown

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