Wildflowers in the Eastern Sierra
Wildflowers bloom abundantly here every year from early March to late September. It is an experience to be enjoyed by the whole family.
What
is the "Super Bloom"
Super bloom in Death Valley National Park
Have you heard of the wildflower “super bloom” that happens periodically in the deserts of the southwest? It’s a pretty special event that occurs in spring when conditions have been just right. And this year might be just right … again!
But! You don’t have to wait for a super bloom to visit the Eastern Sierra to see the magic of wildflowers in this vast, untamed, and natural setting. Wildflowers bloom here abundantly every year and it is an experience that you can enjoy with the whole family any year, anytime from about early March to late September.
Plan your Eastern Sierra wildflower viewing trip now!
When
do Wildflowers Bloom in Death Valley, Owens Valley, and the Eastern Sierra?
March to September - depending on elevation
Wildflowers bloom along Bishop Pass trail in the High Sierra
What sets the Eastern Sierra apart from many other desert wildflower regions is its extremes in elevation combined with a diverse geologic environment. It is also the intersection of three major biotic provinces – the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada – with the result that this region has a wide variety of vegetation communities. Thousands of species occur here and many are unique to the Eastern Sierra. This unique geographic region allows for a long and abundant growing season.
The long blooming season that occurs along the 150 miles of the Eastern Sierra wildflower corridor means that the window of opportunity to see some of the amazing flora of this region is over 6 months long. At the southern end of the Owens Valley, at about 3,300 feet above sea level, large tracts of open land can present carpets of color at the start of the season. In the upper elevations of the Sierra Nevada, with peaks that rise to well over 13,000 feet, the colorful blooms in the canyons and meadows bring the season to a close. The floral display begins at the lower elevations, beyond the Eastern Sierra in places like Mojave and Death Valley National Park, and then appears on the floor of the Owens Valley some weeks later. Thereafter the bloom grows in the foothills of the adjacent mountains and slowly creeps up the canyons and into the hanging valleys and meadows of the upper regions of these mountains.
Where
to see wildflowers in the Eastern Sierra
The floral display begins at the lower elevations, beyond the Eastern Sierra in places like Mojave and Death Valley National Park, and then appears on the floor of the Owens Valley some weeks later. Thereafter the bloom grows in the foothills of the adjacent mountains and slowly creeps up the canyons and into the hanging valleys and meadows of the upper regions of these mountains.
For those visitors from wetter climates it is important to note that many desert flowers are small and fine.
Take the virtual tour below
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1
Bishop, California
Best time: mid-season
Start your wildflower exploration in Bishop, the blooming heart of the Eastern Sierra. Blossoms on the floor of the Owens Valley and nearby volcanic tablelands can pop up anytime from March onward. Blooms at higher elevations begin mid-season, late-April, and continue well into summer the higher the up they are. Stop in at our information center when you come to Bishop to pick up a print copy of the guide to Wildflower Hot Spots of the Eastern Sierra .
We are located at 690 N. Main, in the A frame building in the Bishop City Park.
Take a look at this comprehensive page this page about Wildflowers in the Eastern Sierra we created to get all the info you need on what, why, where, when, who, and how to see the magic of wildflowers in the Eastern Sierra.
2
Fish Slough
Best time: early- to mid-season
This is a riparian wetland and is one of the richest wetland floras in the Great Basin. With over 125 plant species, including eight rare species, Fish Slough will be an extravagant find for flower enthusiasts. The diversity of species will deliver a greater variety of color and size. Blossoms of cream, yellow and magenta will carpet the slopes bordering the slough. This is a protected area designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). It can be accessed via Five Bridges road 2.5 miles north of Bishop on US Highway 6.
3
Warm Springs Rd.
Best time: early- to mid-season
Three miles south of Bishop is Warm Springs Rd. Turn east and head toward the base of the White Mountains. This could be a lovely early morning or late afternoon auto tour that might present some wonderful mid-season blooms.
Just beyond the river, at the junction of Eastside Rd. and pick your path:
Turn left and follow the paved road and take a slow drive along the base of the White Mountains, or
Continue straight onto the graded dirt Black Canyon Rd. that cuts across the alluvial fans that have spread from the canyons above. This route is best done with 4-wheel drive vehicle. This five-mile section of gravelly dirt road cuts a swath through an abundance of exquisite flowers in early season bloom.
Anywhere along these two roads, stop! And take a walk and examine the small petals and soft color.
4
Death Valley Rd.
Best time: early- to late-season
Branching off from US Highway 168 on the west side of the Owens River is a sinuous path to the higher elevations of the Inyo Mountains. Within the first few miles of this quiet mountain road, buds will be blossoming in the washes and ravines in the latter part of mid-season to late-season.
Near the summit the road junctions with the Saline Waucoba road that winds its way along the crest and down into Saline Valley in Death Valley National Park. Beyond the summit the road drops down into Eureka Valley and the Eureka Dunes. The Joshua Trees bloom in the early part of the season here at this lower elevation.
5
Westgard Pass
Best time: mid- to late-season
State Route 168 East over Westgard Pass begins its eastward route from just north of Big Pine. It is a gateway to so much adventure and discovery in the White Mountains that you’ll probably want to travel it often. Flowers may be evident from the road as it crosses the Owens River during the latter part of the early season. Heading up into the White Mountains and over the range into Nevada is a good journey for mid-season and perhaps again during the late flowering season. Near the summit of CA-168 turn northward onto White Mountain Rd. and take trip to see the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest . Spring flowers bloom in many places along this road and among the trees. Stop at the Sierra View Overlook and see one of the most majestic views in all of California -- 100-miles of the Sierra Nevada crest is visible on a clear day.
6
Mazourka Canyon
Best time: early- and mid-season
This hidden canyon is a lovely off-road adventure route that begins near Independence, 40 miles south of Bishop. At the south end of Independence turn east onto Mazourka Canyon Rd and head toward the Inyo Mountains. The route is 20 miles one way with the first 5 miles of the road paved. Thereafter it is a good graded dirt road that climbs to a little over 8,000 feet. Towards the top the canyon is narrow with steep sides and there can be snow on the road at the higher elevations during early season. Lower elevations here will produce early season blooms and higher up will bloom a little later. The views out across the Owens Valley are quite stunning anytime. A note of caution: Avoid this route if there are thunderstorms in the area. The canyon is prone to flash flooding.
7
Division Creek
Best time: mid-season
About 35 miles south of Bishop is Division Creek Rd. A route of about 5-miles from the junction of Goodale Rd. and US Highway 395 west into the base of the Sierra Nevada brings you to a secluded high desert world. Lupin blooms profusely along the creek. The road is paved along Goodale and Tinemaha roads, through Aberdeen, until you reach the Division Creek Powerhouse on Division Creek road. If you catch this right, the bush lupines will be bursting with blooms. Continue along the dirt road – you may need a high clearance 4×4 vehicle further along – and check out Scotty Spring and Spook Canyon. Interesting note: The Division Creek Powerhouse was the first power plant built by the agency that was to become the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The original structure built in 1908 burned down and Unit 2 was built at the site and continues to be operational.
8
Alabama Hills
Best time: early- to mid-season
The Alabama Hills, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada just west of Lone Pine, is one of Hollywood’s favorite filming locations. This monumental landscape provides a myriad of settings for movie backgrounds and evocative scenes. The beautiful rock formations of the hills bordered by a vast open plain rising majestically to the snowcapped mountains beyond has been a prime filming location since the early 1900s. Although only a few miles from the town of Lone Pine this 30,000-acre protected area can give one the feeling of being ‘way out there.’ The stunning rock formations with numerous roads and trails winding through the area are a great place for auto touring, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, trail running, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. And … in spring … this is a magnificent place for wildflower viewing, studying, and photographing. From the heart of Lone Pine go west on Whitney Portal road then, 2.7 miles along, turn right onto Movie Flat road. Many dirt roads and trails intersect with Movie Flat road leading into the hills and among the boulders. Movie Flat road is a graded dirt road maintained for passenger vehicles. Take a look at our Alabama Hills National Scenic Areas overview page for more details about this incredible place.
9
Fossil Falls
Best time: early-season
A trip to Fossil Falls, a mere 1.4-miles off Highway 395, could deliver an expansive view of magnificent wildflowers. From US Highway 395 turn east on Cinder Road, 45 miles south of Lone Pine, and follow the signs to Fossil Falls. Plan your trip along this highway to include an hour or so to stop here and see this geologic wonder during wildflower season. Fossil Falls is magnificent example of the forces of nature that shape our world. Technically it’s not a fossil and water no longer falls here in any abundance. This surreal canyon of basaltic black lava rock is now a natural work of art beautifully sculpted by eons of rushing water from a prehistoric age. The chasm is almost unnoticeable in the flat lands of the valley floor until you get quite near to it, then it unfurls below you in folds of glossy, black rock that is both beautiful and strange. The rock is smooth and shiny and distinctly different from the surrounding landscape. During wildflower season the counterpoint of hard, black rock and soft, colorful petals is a reminder of time past and life renewed.
10
Rock Creek
Best time: mid- to late-season
Rock Creek road, about 25 miles north of Bishop along US Highway 395, has been recently upgraded by the US Forest service. It runs for about 9 miles alongside the river in the narrow, steep sided Rock Creek canyon. Within this short distance from the highway, a diverse array of plant communities can be seen. An orchid and tiger lily bloom alongside the road’s edge where water courses down the canyon in small streams.
The wildflower bloom will begin mid-season and continue well into the late season here. If good winter snow and rain falls after a warm summer it could produce a big bloom at the higher elevations along Rock Creek. Once the snows have cleared and hiking season begins, a short walk from Mosquito Flat (where the road ends) will take you over streams and through meadows where subalpine wildflowers flourish.
11
McGee Creek
Best time: late season
The road to the McGee Creek campground and trailhead is narrow and winding. Up here the color that is visible year-round is in the layers of rock strata. In the flowering season though strokes and splashes of white, yellow, red and purple paint the landscape for only a brief period.
The color revolution begins in early summer with a base of green that varies in hue and tint. Plant species range from the large cottonwood trees to groves of quaking aspen to the round sagebrush and elegant paintbrush down to a small white flower on a thin green stem commonly called “rays”.
From the turn off at US Highway 395, just 32 miles north of Bishop, the road is but 2 miles to the campground and 1 mile more to the pack station. At an elevation 7,500 feet the short trip alongside this creek will deliver beautiful views of Crowley Lake to the east and impressive ridges and peaks to the west.
How
to navigate your wildflower tour
Download and print this map to plan your wildflower tour to the Eastern Sierra and visit our comprehensive Wildflower landing page here .
Stop by the Bishop Information Center at 690 N. Main St., the cute A-frame building in the Bishop City Park.
Speak with our friendly, knowledgeable staff and pick up a print copy of this wonderful Wildflower guide or download it here .
When visiting flower locations, please refrain from taking wildflowers home or back to camp with you. Flowers in national parks are protected by law. Please be careful where you tread and don’t disturb the insects, birds and other creatures that depend on this vegetation to live. Wildflower enthusiasts don’t trample flowers, leaving them undisturbed for others to enjoy. Remember that the weather is quite unpredictable, especially in spring. Be prepared by dressing in layers and have a hat and sunscreen with you for hot, sunny days. Wear sturdy shoes and have plenty of water to drink. In addition to a camera and binoculars, you may also want to bring a magnifying glass to study the tiny flowers and their exquisite features more closely. Bring a good field guide along for flower identification.
Did you know? There are so many other wonderful outdoor activities you and your family can do while you’re here. Call us, browse our website , or come into the Visitor Center and let our friendly, knowledgeable staff help you have the best big backyard experience you could imagine!
