Wildflower Weekend

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 othe......More

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. All programs are free. No reservations are needed. Adults and children are welcome on all Wildflower Weekend programs. Below is the 2025 Wildflower Weekend program schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.Saturday May 10Book Signing with the Simpsons | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Chat with naturalists and authors Ann and Rob Simpson as they autograph their publications. Ann and Rob are professional photographers biologists educators and authors as well as noted national park experts. Their national park book series with "Falcon Guides" includes "Wildflowers of Shenandoah" and "Nature Guide to Shenandoah" both now in their second edition. Books are for sale in the Shenandoah National Park Association bookstore or bring your own. Meet at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6). Wonders of the Mill Prong | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Look for trillium jack-in-the-pulpit and more along this 2-mile trail that never fails to delight wildflower lovers. Elevation change: about 400 ft. Meet at Milam Gap parking (mile 52.4). Kristin Zimet and Mitzi Fox Guest NaturalistsRose River Fire Road | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Hike 1.2 miles to wildflowers that grow alongside Rose River and discover human histories of the area. Meet at Rose River Fire Road park at Fishers Gap Overlook (mile 49.4). Hannah Peters Park RangerHands-On Discovery: The Flora of Virginia App | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Explore the beautiful world of Virginia’s native plants with the Flora of Virginia Project. Board members and volunteer master naturalists will introduce you to the Flora of Virginia app—a fantastic tool for identifying plants and supporting conservation efforts right from your phone. Whether you're a nature enthusiast a homeowner looking to enhance your landscape or just curious about the plants around you this is a great way to learn and connect. You will start with a guided tour through the Flora of Virginia app then head on a short flora walk to identify local species together. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Andrea Weeks and Sally Anderson Guest NaturalistsTip! Download the app ahead of time at https://floraofvirginia.org/flora-app/. Cell service in the park is not reliable. Wildflower Photography | 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Learn wildflower photography basics surrounded by blooms! No photography background needed. Meet at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (mile 4.6). Bring your own camera or cell phone. The first portion will include a short presentation that will take place inside Dickey Ridge Visitor Center followed by an outdoor portion to practice photographic composition skills. The outdoor portion is weather dependent. Be prepared to sit on the ground or bring a folding chair for the outdoor session. Accessible. Ann and Rob Simpson Guest NaturalistsGravel Springs | 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Explore the rich woods in search of wild ginger bellflower waterleaf and more. Mostly gentle with some short very steep places. ½-mile loop. Meet at Gravel Springs Gap (mile 17.6). Limited parking. Wendy Cass Park Botanist and Jake Hughes Park Invasive Plant and Restoration BiologistArtist in Residence | 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Create a Wildflower Weekend souvenir and learn about the art of feltmaking. Fiber artist and Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Kris Grenier will lead participants on a short nature walk for creative inspiration. Then using the colors and shapes of springtime in Shenandoah participants will create a piece of wool art. No art-making experience required! Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Kris Grenier  Artist-in-ResidenceAppalachian Mountain Club Table | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Join the Appalachian Mountain Club to learn what wilderness stewardship entails within our public lands. Learn the importance of citizen science as you use free apps to become a park naturalist yourself! Meet at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51).Youth Wildflower Art Contest Recognition Ceremony | 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Join us to congratulate the winning artists in the Park’s annual youth art contest. Byrd Visitor Center Auditorium (mile 51).What’s in a Butterfly’s Pantry? | 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.Learn about butterflies and the flowers that they rely on along this easy .25-mile stroll. Meet at Upper Hawksbill Parking (mile 47). Mara Meisel Guest Naturalist Waterfalls and Wildflowers | 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Explore the trail to one of the park's most popular waterfalls looking for flowers along the way. 1.4 miles. Elevation change: 440 ft. Meet at Dark Hollow Falls Parking (mile 51). Peg Barratt Guest NaturalistSnead 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 NaturalistBotanical 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 NaturalistMillers 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 the amphitheater at the top of the hill. Stephen Paull Park Biological Science Technician Sunday May 11Book Signing with the Simpsons | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Chat with naturalists and authors Ann and Rob Simpson as they autograph their publications. Ann and Rob are professional photographers biologists educators and authors as well as noted national park experts. Their national park book series with "Falcon Guides" includes "Wildflowers of Shenandoah" and "Nature Guide to Shenandoah" both now in their second edition. Books are for sale in the Shenandoah National Park Association bookstore or bring your own. Meet outside Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51).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 1-mile stroll. Bring binoculars. Meet at Pocosin Cabin parking (unmarked mile 59.5 east side of Skyline Drive). Limited parking. Alan Williams Park EcologistHiking 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 Hands-On Discovery: The Flora of Virginia App | 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Explore the beautiful world of Virginia’s native plants with the Flora of Virginia Project. Board members and volunteer master naturalists will introduce you to the Flora of Virginia app—a fantastic tool for identifying plants and supporting conservation efforts right from your phone. Whether you're a nature enthusiast a homeowner looking to enhance your landscape or just curious about the plants around you this is a great way to learn and connect.  You will start with a simple guided tour through the Flora of Virginia app then head on a short flora walk to identify local species together. Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51). Caitlin Cyrus and Conley McMullen Guest NaturalistsTip! Make sure to download the app ahead of time at https://floraofvirginia.org/flora-app/. Cell service in the park is not reliable. Superstar Butterflies and Other Tiny Celebrities: Pollinators Spread the Love in Shenandoah | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.As you hike the trails in Shenandoah or enjoy a stroll along the lush paths of Big Meadows around you millions of insects are hard at work. Some of the most noticeable are brilliant butterflies floating past you pausing briefly to land on bright wildflower blooms. Native plants including over 850 species of wildflowers in the park use their unique talents to attract pollinators to pay them a visit. In turn many insects depend on plants as a food source for their young.Ann and Rob Simpson are professional photographers biologists educators and authors as well as noted national park experts. Their national park book series with Falcon Guides includes Wildflowers of Shenandoah and Nature Guide to Shenandoah both now in their second edition. In this presentation they will share with you some of the important pollinators especially the dazzling butterflies that call Shenandoah home. Meet at Byrd Visitor Center Auditorium (mile 51). Ann & Rob Simpson Guest NaturalistsAppalachian Mountain Club Table | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Join the Appalachian Mountain Club to learn what wilderness stewardship entails within our public lands. Learn the importance of citizen science as you use free apps to become a park naturalist yourself! Meet at the Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51).Spring Amphibians | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Experience vernal pond life for the many amphibians of the park. Learn their many adaptations to thrive as they emerge from winter and breed in spring! Meet at Rapidan Road parking for an easy walk (mile 51). Jodi Davis Guest NaturalistMeadow Springs to Marys Rock | 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.View pinxter azaleas and the site of the former Meadow Spring Shelter as well as other spring wildflowers on this trail to the spectacular view from Marys Rock. This moderate trail is 2.9 miles roundtrip with 830 ft. of elevation gain which can be steep at times. Meet at Meadow Spring parking (mile 33.5). Jean Stephens  Guest NaturalistWaterfalls and Wildflowers | 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Explore the trail to one of the park's most popular waterfalls looking for flowers along the way. 1.4 miles. Elevation change: 440 ft. Meet at Dark Hollow Falls Parking (mile 51). Peg Barratt Guest NaturalistBotanical Art Workshop | 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 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