Discover Wildflowers
Penstemon wildflowers growing along the road to Sunrise.
NPS Photo
Mount Rainer's renowned wildflowers bloom for a limited amount of time every year. The "peak" bloom for wildflowers is heavily dependent on weather and precipitation patterns, so accurate predictions are difficult. In most years, many flowers will be blooming by mid-July, and by the first of August the meadows should be very impressive. Frost can occur by late August, but even after light frosts the meadows continue to be very beautiful, thanks to changing leaf colors and seed pod development that take the place of colorful blossoms. For a better idea of what the wildflowers are doing this year, please see the Subalpine Wildflowers or Forest Wildflowers tables below, which summarize what's blooming where. Note: Wildflower updates for different park areas/trails can vary dependent on ranger activities and observations. Not all trails will have wildflower updates, or be updated on a regular basis. Major areas of the park, such as Paradise, will have regular updates. Updated: May 14, 2012. Currently the subalpine areas of Mount Rainier are still covered in snow.
A Hover Fly eating pollen from an Avalanche Lily. Hover Flies mimic the bold yellow and black stripes of bees to avoid predators, but unlike bees have no stingers. In subalpine meadows, Hover Flies pollinate more flowers than bees. Photo taken along Skyline Trail in Paradise. September 4, 2011.
NPS, Kristyn Loving
Updated: May 29, 2012.
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Visit Mount Rainier: Paradise
Paradise is famous for its glorious views and wildflower meadows. Read More
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Visit Mount Rainier: Sunrise
Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier Read More
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Day Hikes
Looking for easy and enjoyable trails that the whole family can experience together? Read More
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Subalpine Wildflowers
Preview some of the wildflower species found in Mount Rainier's subalpine meadows. Read More
Did You Know?
In June 1945, President Harry Truman visited Mount Rainier National Park, dined at the Paradise Inn and played a song on the Inn's piano. This piano and other notable items are preserved today in the Paradise Inn, part of an effort to maintain the park's rich historic legacy. More...