One of the most beautiful benefits of hiking in Colorado is the chance to see our stunning wildflowers! You’ll never take the same hike twice if you’re really paying attention. Blooms vary throughout spring and summer months, and some species become even more interesting when they go to seed near the end of the season.
Tips for a successful wildflower viewing adventure:
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When to go: Peak viewing times are typically July to August, but it never hurts to check with park staff before heading out.
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Identifying flowers:
Check with the park staff for bloom lists, trail guides, and other educational documentation.
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Look, but don't touch: picking flowers is damaging to ecosystems as well as illegal.
Wildflower viewing is fun and educational for the entire family!
Stopping to check out nature's colorful artwork means slowing down tougher hikes and teaching children to appreciate Colorado's offerings along the way.
Lory's sprawling meadows and Mueller's delightful outcroppings will lift any hiker's spirits. It's easy to get wrapped up in finishing a hike or focus only on seeing wildlife. Next time you hit the trails, try spotting as many wildflowers as you can, and you're sure to catch a glimpse of something unique.
There are plenty of organized events for flower lovers.
Crested Butte hosts a bustling
wildflower festival each July that promises to be a flower enthusiast's dream come true. Throughout the summer, take part in a guided wildflower hike like the one at
Staunton State Park. Staff and volunteers offer impressive knowledge about every species along the trail. For example, the delicate white flowers above are called yarrow, and they can be used to treat wounds. Who knew?
If you’d rather go solo, create your own bloom search!
Roxborough's Willow Creek Trail is a great place to start.
Vega flaunts expansive and colorful meadows. Parks offer excellent documentation on the wide variety of blooms you might find along their trails. Enjoy the scavenger hunt, and please keep in mind that picking flowers is damaging to ecosystems as well as illegal.
How many can you identify?
Do you know if they can be used for medicine or dye? Are they an invasive species? You'll be surprised at the rich and beautiful history many of our state's wild plants hold.
Species and concentration vary by park and season, so even the same trail is ever-changing. To get the most out of your experience, utilize the excellent park staff and learning materials! Reach out to your specific park for bloom lists, trail guides, and other educational documentation to help you pack plenty of sightings into your wildflower stroll!
The chance to learn is right at the trail’s edge. Don’t pass it by!
