Wildflower Weekend

Attend a Wildflower Weekend Program

 

Explore

• Wildflowers in Shenandoah
• Youth Wildflower Art Contest
• Wildflower Calendar
• Wildflower Weekend Brochure
• More Special Events

Spring wildflowers are at the heart of Shenandoah National Park's 37th annual Wildflower Weekend celebration! Guided hikes and programs will focus on the diversity and importance of not only hundreds of species of flowering plants that are protected by the park, but other seasonal changes as well. 

Special features this year focus on art. A botanical art and journaling workshop led by watercolor artist Betty Gatewood. No art experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. Additionally, winning artwork from Shenandoah’s annual Youth Wildflower Art Contest will be recognized during a ceremony at Byrd Visitor Center.

All programs are free. No reservations are needed. Adults and children are welcome on all Wildflower Weekend programs. 2023's list of programs for Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7 can be found below.

Wildflower Weekend is sponsored by Shenandoah National Park Association.

 

Saturday, May 6^th

Bird Song and the Meadow | 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Join our guest artist as we consider and reflect on the ways in which bird song interweaves itself into our daily lives. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen (or any preferred writing device). Meet on the meadow side of Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Sonya Lara, Artist-in-Residence
The Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored by generous donations to Shenandoah National Park Trust.

Passamaquoddy Loop | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Look for moss phlox, trillium and more along the Appalachian Trail to Little Stony Man Cliffs and the Passamaquoddy Trail. Great valley views. Very rocky and steep in places. 3 miles. Elevation change: about 560 ft. Meet at Stony Man Nature Trail parking (mile 41.7, north entrance of Skyland Resort). David Stapleton, Guest Naturalist

Wonders of the Mill Prong | 9:00 a.m. to noon

Look for trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and more along this trail that never fails to delight wildflower lovers. 2 miles. Elevation change: about 400 ft. Meet at Milam Gap parking (mile 52.4). Kristin Zimet and Mitzi Fox, Guest Naturalists

Spring Amphibians | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Experience vernal life for the many amphibians of the Park and learn the adaptations that allow them to thrive as they emerge from winter and breed in spring on this easy walk. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Margo Roseum, Park Ranger

Leaves of Three | 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Learn how to locate and identify poison ivy as this group raises awareness of the three-leaved plant and its prevalence along Virginia trails. Story of the Forest Trailhead (mile 51). Leaves of Three, Guest Group

“Youth Art in the Park” Contest Recognition Ceremony | 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join us to congratulate the winning artists in the Park’s wildflower art contest. Byrd Visitor Center auditorium (mile 51).

Ramble on the “Layton Sisk Plateau” | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

We may find pussytoes, trillium and perhaps a surprise or two in the fields and woods as we take the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail to a former home site. 1 mile. Elevation change: about 150 ft. Meet at Upper Hawksbill parking area (mile 46.7). Mara Meisel, Guest Naturalist

Botanical Art Workshop | 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Learn a few botany basics, pick up tips on observation, composition, and journaling, then sketch and use watercolors to paint what you see. No art or science background is necessary. Meet on the meadow side of Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Rain or shine. Wear walking shoes and long pants. Be prepared to sit on the ground or bring a folding chair. All art supplies will be provided. Betty Gatewood, Artist & Naturalist

Millers Head Hike | 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lyre-leaved rockcress and other uncommon plants might be seen on this hike to a view of the Shenandoah Valley. Very rocky and steep in places, with uphill return. 1.5 miles. Elevation change: about 250 ft. Turn in at south entrance of Skyland Resort (mile 42.5) and follow signs to amphitheater at top of hill. Stephen Paull, Park Biological Science Technician

Snead Farm Loop Hike | 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

See what flowers await on this hike through a former apple orchard and home site. There may be some surprises! 2.6 miles. Elevation change: about 490 ft. Meet at Dickey Ridge picnic area (mile 4.7). Richard Stromberg, Guest Naturalist

Pollinators: Form Flowers Function | 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Do pollinators influence flower evolution? Do flowers change pollinator adaptations? Do both groups equally affect the other? Follow along as we discover the unique methods by which both flowers and pollinators charm the other to survive and thrive. PowerPoint program. Byrd Visitor Center auditorium (mile 51). Karl Rand, Park Ranger

 

Sunday, May 7^th

Spring Birds of Pocosin | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Listen and look for cerulean warblers, scarlet tanagers, and other migrants near the spring and surrounding woods. You might discover a few wildflowers along the way. Easy ½-1-mile stroll. Bring binoculars. Meet at Pocosin Cabin parking (unmarked, mile 59.5, east side of Skyline Drive). Limited parking. Alan Williams, Park Ecologist

Milam Gap to Tanner’s Ridge | 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Discover a variety of native and nonnative flowers, as well as cultural connections, along this gentle section of the Appalachian Trail to a fire road. 2 miles. Elevation change: about 175 ft. Meet at Milam Gap parking (mile 52.4). Dani Goodman, Park Ranger

Hiking the Hightop | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hike the Appalachian Trail through patches of trillium and other wildflowers to the summit of Hightop Mountain and a terrific view. 3 miles. Elevation change: about 935 ft. Meet at Hightop Mountain parking (mile 66.7). Limited Parking. Mara Meisel, Guest Naturalist

Spring Amphibians | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Experience vernal life for the many amphibians of the Park and learn the adaptations that allow them to thrive as they emerge from winter and breed in spring on this easy walk. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Jodi Davis, Park Ranger

South River Falls Hike | 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Look for early saxifrage, wild geranium and more flowers on this trail to a viewpoint overlooking an 83-ft. waterfall. Steep 3.3 miles. Elevation change: about 900 ft. Meet at trailhead in South River Falls picnic area (mile 62.5). Jean Stephens, Guest Naturalist

Botanical Art Workshop | 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Learn a few botany basics, pick up tips on observation, composition, and journaling, then sketch and use watercolors to paint what you see. No art or science background is necessary. Meet on the meadow side of Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Rain or shine. Wear walking shoes and long pants. Be prepared to sit on the ground or bring a folding chair. All art supplies will be provided. Betty Gatewood, Artist & Naturalist

 

Meet Our Guest Naturalists and Program Leaders

Mitzi Fox is a Virginia Master Naturalist and the president of the Virginia Native Plant Society’s Piedmont chapter.

Betty Gatewood is a retired middle school teacher, watercolor artist, and Virginia Master Naturalist. She has provided cover art for the Virginia Native Plant Society’s Wildflower of the Year brochures, as well as illustrating two children’s books, Milkweed Matters (2017) and Salmon Matters (2018).

Sonya Lara is a poet and essayist. She received her BA in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MFA in Poetry from Virginia Tech. Her work has appeared in The Pinch, X-R-A-Y Lit, Shenandoah, Ninth Letter, AGNI, The Los Angeles Review, The Acentos Review, and elsewhere.

Mara Meisel is a retired National Park Service ranger-naturalist. She was the long-time coordinator for Shenandoah National Park’s Wildflower Weekend, along with the Youth Wildflower Art Contest. Mara is the Big Meadows section leader for the annual Shenandoah National Park-Luray Fourth of July butterfly count for the North American Butterfly Association.

David Stapleton is a retired Virginia State Park and National Park Service ranger-naturalist. In his park career, he developed and presented interpretive programs on natural and cultural history.

Jean Stephens is a Virginia Master Naturalist and president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club’s Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter. As a Park volunteer, she works on projects aimed at invasive plants and insects.

Leaves of Three is a student-based group whose goal is to teach the identification of and protection methods from poison ivy while hiking.

Richard Stromberg is a Virginia Master Naturalist and newsletter editor for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. He is also an editor, walk leader, and board member of the Virginia Native Plant Society Piedmont Chapter.

Kristin Zimet worked as a nature guide for Clarke County Parks and Recreation and Smithsonian Journeys. She is a docent for the State Arboretum of Virginia, a Virginia Master Naturalist, and board member of the Virginia Native Plant Society Piedmont Chapter.