10 Places to See Wildflower Blooms in the Western U.S.

by Christina Garofalo | Updated on Mar 4, 2025

By now, you’ve surely heard of the Antelope Valley poppy fields — or at least, you’ve seen photos of the infamous super bloom that took place there in 2020 that broke the Internet. However, colorful wildflower displays spring up across the West each year — from California to Washington to Utah. And while not every year produces a super bloom (intensity and volume depend on rainfall and other conditions), these 10 destinations promise a glimpse at rare photo-worthy flora. Here’s what to see and when to go.

Antelope Valley, CA / istock / rcview cinematography

Photo: Death Valley, CA / istock / Nature, food, landscape, travel

Death Valley, CA

Death Valley is known for its extreme heat and dry weather. But rare rainstorms in winter cultivate epic wildflower blooms that, about once a decade, transform the desert floor into a sea of gold, purple, pink, and white. On a typical year, you’ll still find colorful pockets of color. Species include desert marigold, evening primrose, paintbrush, and lupine.

When to go: February July, depending on elevation