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 Currently Blooming section below, which summarizes what's blooming where.

Explore further:

• Wildflower Guide - Unfamiliar with Mount Rainier's wildflowers? Photos and brief descriptions of some of the common wildflower species can be found in the park's online wildflower guide.
• Wildflower photo galleries - Collections of subalpine and forest wildflowers.
• Wildflower video gallery - Preview Mount Rainier's blooming wildflower meadows by watching these short videos.
• The Seasons of Mount Rainier - View short videos of different plants found in various parts of the park.
• Ecological Restoration - Watch short videos about the Ecological Restoration program's work in the park.

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Bear grass near Indian Bar along the Wonderland Trail, 8/23/25.

NPS/F. Merid Photo

Currently Blooming

Last Updated: August 27, 2025
The wildflower season at Mount Rainier is moving past “peak”. However, wildflowers are still blooming on the mountain, particularly at higher elevations. This lovely display of bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax) was found near Indian Bar above 5000 feet on the southeast slopes of Mount Rainier. Bear grass stems can be up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, topped with distinctive globe-like clumps of white flowers. The grass-like leaves have fleshy bases sometimes eaten by bears, giving the plant its name.

Please stay on the trails.

As snow continues to melt away, it may be tempting to skirt remaining patches of snow or mud that are covering trails. However, by going off trail you are walking on and damaging the wildflowers that you may be coming to see! It is better to stay on the trail even if that means crossing snow, particularly in the high-visitation meadows around Paradise and Sunrise. Also, there are plenty of opportunities for the perfect mountain + wildflower photo from the trails! No need to step off trail and crush other flowers in your quest for the perfect shot.

 

Wildflower Reports

Sunrise Area Updated 8/27

Paradise Area Updated 8/27

Past peak bloom, with best wildflowers along Naches Peak Loop Trail. Also blooming: Pasqueflower seedhead Magenta Paintbrush (few) Scarlet Paintbrush (few) Broadleaf Lupine (really good on Naches Peak Loop Trail)  Smooth Mountain Dandelion  Gray’s Lovage  Broadleaf Arnica Subalpine Daisy Cascade Aster Alpine Aster Rosy Spirea (very few still by Tipsoo)  Rainieria (along road to sunrise, mostly done) False Hellebore Pearly Everlasting Harebell (outside visitor center and Silver Forest Trail) Arrowleaf Groundsel (outside visitor center) Fireweed (outside visitor center) Yarrow (outside visitor center and Silver Forest Trail) Mountain Bog Gentian (by Shadow Lake) Sitka Mountain Ash berries

Mostly past peak. Dominate flowers blooming: Pearly Everlasting Arrowleaf Groundsel Cascade Asters Rosy Spirea Also blooming: Alpine Aster American Bistort Bog Gentian Broadleaf Lupine False Hellebore Gray’s Lovage (late) Lewis' Monkeyflower Magenta Paintbrush Mount Rainier Lousewort Partridgefoot Pasqueflower seedhead Scarlet Paintbrush Sitka Valerian (late) Woolly Pussytoes

Longmire Area
Updated 8/27

• Cooley's hedge-nettle (late)
• Foam flower
• Yarrow
• Wall Lettuce
• Cascade Aster

 

Red Columbine Flower

NPS Photo / Filo Merid

Wildflower Photos

The photos featured here are usually taken by park staff and volunteers from all over the park. Share your own wildflower photos in the Mount Rainier Flickr group! Higher resolution versions of wildflower photos are available on Mount Rainier's Flickr page.

Plan Your Visit

Paradise and Sunrise are two of the main visitor center areas at Mount Rainier National Park. Both areas are well known for their impressive wildflower meadows. The park also maintains dozens of trails perfect for wildflower viewing.

 

 

Meadow Preservation Enjoy wildflowers? Stay on trails