Wildflower Weekend

Attend a Wildflower Weekend Program!

 

Explore

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

Spring wildflowers are at the heart of Shenandoah National Park's 38th 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. 

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. The 2024 schedule of programs for Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 can be found below, along with this year's program leaders.

Wildflower Weekend is sponsored by Shenandoah National Park Association.

 

Saturday, May 11

Book Signing with the Simpsons | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Chat with naturalists and authors Ann & Rob Simpson as they autograph your books. Books are for sale in the Shenandoah National Park Association bookstore or bring your own. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51).

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

Lewis Mountain to Slaughter Fire Road | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Search for violets, trillium, and a variety of other wildflowers along this relatively flat section of the Appalachian Trail. 2 miles. Elevation change: about 200 ft. Meet at Lewis Mountain picnic grounds (mile 57.5). David Stapleton, Guest Naturalist

Secrets of Shenandoah’s Wildflowers* | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Ann and Rob Simpson are professional photographers, biologists, educators, and authors as well as noted national park experts. Their national park book series with FalconGuides include Wildflowers of Shenandoah and Nature Guide to Shenandoah, both now in their second edition. In this presentation, they will share with you some of their favorite wildflower trails and areas in the park with insights into what you can find during the blooming seasons. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center Auditorium. Maximum capacity 175. Ann and Rob Simpson, 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 after their winter emergence on this easy walk. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Margo Roseum, Park Ranger

Wildflower Talk | 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

A family-friendly introduction to the Park's spring wildflowers currently blooming in the area. Meet outside the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6). Emily Nelson, 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

Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail | 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A variety of wildflowers may be seen leading into a section of the Park’s designated wilderness. 1 mile. Elevation change: about 200 ft. Meet at Fishers Gap Overlook (mile 49.3). Reki Everett, Park Ranger

Lewis Mountain Trail* | 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Explore a seldom used trail that has some of the most common, and some unusual, wildflowers we find in the spring. In addition to wildflowers, we'll explore a couple of topics of historical interest along the way on this slightly less than two mile out and back hike. And at the end of the trail there will be a partial view out to the east from near the peak of Lewis Mountain. Elevation gain is minimal, and the trail is considered easy. Meet at Lewis Mountain picnic grounds (mile 57.5). David Stapleton, 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. Participants should bring their own unlined journal. All other art supplies will be provided. Betty Gatewood, Artist and 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

Ferns, Fungi, Burls, and Boughs | 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Spend time with the often-overlooked spring life from the forest floor to the budding canopy. 1 mile. Elevation change: 200 ft. Meet at north end of Byrd Visitor Center parking lot near Story of the Forest trailhead (mile 51). Karl Rand, Park Ranger

 

Sunday, May 12

Book Signing with the Simpsons | 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Chat with naturalists and authors Ann & Rob Simpson as they autograph your books. Books are for sale in the Shenandoah National Park Association bookstore or bring your own. Meet outside the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6).

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

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 

Hike to the Highest Peak | 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Seek out wood anemone, purple clematis, and more as you hike to the Park's highest summit, Hawksbill Mountain (4,050 ft.), and a great view. 3 miles. Elevation change: 685 ft. Meet at Hawksbill Gap parking - not Upper Hawksbill parking. Karl Rand, Park Ranger

Wildflower Photography Workshop | 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Learn wildflower photography basics surrounded by blooms! No photography background needed. Meet outside Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6). Be prepared to sit on the ground or bring a folding chair. Weather alternate location indoors (maximum capacity 35). Ann and Rob Simpson, Guest Naturalists

Artist-in-Residence | 10:00 a.m. to noon

Connect with the beautiful wildflowers of Shenandoah in a live meditative performance by Artist-in-Residence, Lia Pikus. By performing meditations written in dialogue with various wildflowers in the park earlier in her residency, Lia will soften the perceived boundaries between the audience and the natural world. Bring a blanket or chair to sit back and enjoy the program. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center lawn (mile 51). The Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored by generous donations to Shenandoah National Park Trust. 

Wildflowers and Waterfalls* | 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join a ranger for a loop hike to one of the park’s tallest waterfalls, Lewis Falls. On the way, discover various native and nonnative wildflowers and plants. This is a moderate to difficult hike. Steep 3.3 miles. Elevation change: about 990 ft. Meet at Big Meadows Amphitheater parking area (mile 51). Bailey McInturff, Park Ranger

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 grounds (mile 4.7). Richard Stromberg, 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. Participants should bring their own unlined journal. All other 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, nature journalist, watercolor artist, and Virginia Master Naturalist.  She has provided cover art for the Virginia Native Plant Society’s “Wildflower of the Year” brochures, and has illustrated two children’s books, Salmon Matters (2018) and Milkweed Matters (2017). Over the years, she has exhibited her journals at Staunton Public Library & Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. In 2023 some of her paintings were part of botanical art exhibits at the Washington DC National Cathedral & Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.

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

Mara Meisel retired recently after a 30-year career as a ranger-naturalist with the National Park Service.  For many years, she was the coordinator and a hike leader for Shenandoah National Park's annual Wildflower Weekend, and she initiated the park's Youth Wildflower Art Contest.  Mara is the Big Meadows section leader for the annual Shenandoah National Park-Luray Area Fourth of July Butterfly Count for the North American Butterfly Association.

Lia Pikus is a cellist, composer and multidisciplinary artist whose practice centers around art's ability to cultivate experiences of connection, both within community and in dialogue with the natural world — by drawing upon and reflecting natural processes in her music. Lia seeks to help people make emotional and sensory connections with their environments.

Ann and Rob Simpson are professional photographers, biologists, educators, and authors, and among the most respected naturalists in Virginia. Rob is a retired professor of natural resources and was program head of the nature and outdoor photography curriculum at Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, Va. Ann is currently a professor at the college and teaches anatomy & physiology and has taught biology field courses and nature photography. The Simpsons are authors of numerous books on national parks that include Wildflowers of Shenandoah National Park 2nd Ed. (2022) and Nature Guide to Shenandoah National Park 2nd Ed. (2023).

David Stapleton retired recently after a forty-year park career having worked for Virginia State Parks and at two National Parks including four years at Shenandoah National Park. He has a Degree in Education with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation Resource Management. He has developed and presented programs on natural and cultural history throughout his park career as well as managed interpretive and education programs.

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

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