Wildflowers in Yosemite

Wildflowers vary according to location, time of year and the preceding winter and spring weather. Yosemite Valley never really gets “carpeted" in a display of wildflowers. Perhaps the heavy grazing pressure and soil compaction the Valley meadows received many decades ago has caused this. However, the dogwood tree blossoms in early May are a beautiful display as are the bushy western azalea of late May into mid-June. All summer there are little pockets of flowers scattered throughout Yosemite Valley.

In mid-March into April the foothills outside the park are carpeted in California poppies, baby blue eyes, shooting star, Indian paintbrush and corn lilies, just to name a few. Highway 140 through the Merced River Canyon can have a spectacular display.

From mid-June into August in Yosemite's higher elevations the meadows at Crane Flat and along the Glacier Point and Tioga Roads present beautiful wildflowers. Here you will find cow parsnip, lupine, phlox, penstemon, sulfur flower, columbine, coneflower as well as monkey flower, groundsel and pussy paws. It is truly a beautiful display.