Event
Wildflower Weekend
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Type of Event
Description
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 2024 Wildflower Weekend program schedule for both Saturday and Sunday:
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
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
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Sunday, May 12
Book Signing with the Simpsons | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Chat with naturalists & 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 and Naturalist