Prepare your pockets for posies, because wildflower season is still going strong. In May, Shenandoah National Park will celebrate its 37th annual Wildflower Weekend. This year, on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, park guests can participate in free events highlighting the region’s seasonal blooms. Here’s what visitors can expect from the festivities.
People of all ages and backgrounds can join in art, hiking, journaling, and informational workshop activities during Wildflower Week. No reservations are required, and all of the programs are free. Visitors will still need to pay the park entrance fee, which costs $30 and allows unlimited entry for seven consecutive days.
Guests joining the park for Wildflower Week can participate in tons of free events. Hikers can join naturalists like David Stapleton and Mitzi Fox as they lead hikes along flower-filled trails. At Shenandoah National Park’s Byrd Visitor Center, visitors can show their creative side during the Botanical Art Workshop. Even animal lovers will find fun activities like the Spring Amphibians walk led by park rangers or the Spring Birds of Pocosin hike led by park ecologist Alan Williams.
The Byrd Visitor Center auditorium will also serve as a hotspot for artwork commemorating wildflower season. On May 6, a recognition ceremony will congratulate artists who won the park’s “Youth Art in the Park” contest. Artsy folks can also join the Botanical Art Workshop events hosted on the meadow side of the center. The park will provide all art supplies, and local artists and naturalists will help guide activities.
Want to enjoy Shenandoah National Park’s spring wildflowers without getting involved in group activities? Hikers who prefer solitary adventures can find the best blooms on a few specific trails. Stroll along the Passamaquoddy Trail for trillium and moss phlox. Spot wild geranium on the trails near the South River Falls picnic area.
Keep the Shenandoah Wildflower Calendar handy to guide your journey. And whether you want to avoid crowds or get involved in the fun, the Wildflower Weekend schedule will be a helpful resource for guests visiting the park on May 6-7.