From Lost Dutchman to Lake Pleasant, here’s where you can see desert flowers near Phoenix.
If you ’re Modern around here , the run joke about Phoenix is that it only has two seasons : Christmas and summer . Sure , it ’s lawful that the snapshot from winter to summertime come much faster than we ’d like it to , but it ’s time the fleeting spring season gets the praise it deserves . We ’re all familiar , too conversant , really , with the usual crowd of baseball bros and booze - fueled bachelor girl parties spring land . But this nictitation - and - you’ll - miss - it time of year also bring a H.M.S. Bounty of beautiful flower Arizona wildflowers to every corner of the Valley .
Most years , the Phoenix flower time of year last from belated February to May , so the metre to see wildflowers is , well , now . From Lost Dutchman to Lake Pleasant , here ’s where you could see Arizona wildflowers this spring .
Lost Dutchman State Park
Head east toLost Dutchman State Parkin Apache Junction , about a 50 minute drive from downtown Phoenix , for stunning views of flower - flecked hillside and the Superstition Mountains . pose out on the scenicTreasure Loop Trailfrom the Saguaro day - utilization area where you ’ll instantly be surrounded by a vivacious tapestry of spring colouring material including tangerine California poppy , torrid orange tree globemallow , and yellow brittlebush flower . Extend your park sojourn with acampsite reservationand catch the forenoon sunrise from your collapsible shelter .
South Mountain Park and Preserve
breed more than 16,000 estate and just minutes from downtown , South Mountain Park and Preservein Phoenix is one of the largest city parking area in the country . Accessible from all directions , the democratic preserve consists of three peck ranges ( the Ma Ha Tauk , Gil , and Guadalupe ) and features 50 nautical mile of recreational trails for hiking , biking , and horseback riding . From the due north side , start out out onJavelina Canyon TrailviaBeverly Canyon Trailheadfor epical views of coloured hillside , thanks to the Mexican poppies , brittlebush , and creosote bush flush , as you wind up , down , and around the bouldered terrain . While you ’re here , go to Pima Canyon Trailhead to see the heatedly debated Marcos de Niza petroglyph ( map here ) and even more Arizona wild flower .
Desert Botanical Garden
Keep your Phoenix heyday adventureonthe beat route at theDesert Botanical Garden , located nearbyPapago Park , in Phoenix . The urban garden preserves has one of the earth ’s largest living collections of desert plants , ranging from uncommon and unusual metal money to common plants you might even have on your own patio . Each give , DBG hail alive with colorful flower including prickly pear cactus blossoms , imperial wildflowers , blossom Saguaros , Parry ’s penstemon , yellow palo verde trees , and ruby - flushed cactus flowers . Make a belated lunch occlusive atGertrude’sand order a garden margarita while you check the hummingbird zipper around from the restaurant ’s shaded veranda .
Estrella Mountain Regional Park
AtEstrella Mountain Regional Parkin Goodyear , about 23 miles west of business district , the Phoenix flowers and far - reaching desert vista views are plentiful . HikeRainbow Valley Loop Trailto peep purple scorpion weed , California poppy , Coulter ’s lupin , and flowering yellow cup . Wondering if there ’s really a difference between California poppies and Mexican poppy ? fall in a Texas Ranger - led wild flower hike to learn about the unique ecology of the Sonoran Desert and how to distinguish Arizona wildflowers . Register via the green website .
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Lake Pleasant Regional Parkin Morristown , about 40 miles northerly of business district Phoenix , is a watersports paradise where Arizona wildflowers burst . shut all your hoop on the Pipeline Canyon Trail ( mapped here ) where you ’ll trek over bridges and across narrow-minded passage smother by California poppies , saffron crocus - distort incienso blooms , and befuddled globemallow . For kinsfolk who prefer to scope flowers from the pack of cards of a gravy holder , appropriate a captained sundown cruise or rent your own political party pontoon for a solar day atScorpion Bay Marina .
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
For an Arizona wild flower spotting outing where the journeying is just as important as the destination , guess out toBoyce Thompson Arboretum , in Superior . About an hour drive from central Phoenix , this wild flower wonderland comprises 135 acres of explorablegarden exhibitsand one thousand of diverse works species including leap wild flower like lupines , owl clover , purple bladderpod , savage hyacinth , and California poppy as well as aboriginal shrubs like creosote bush and fairy duster . The Sonoran Desert Exhibit and Curandero Trail , Cactus and Succulent Garden , Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit , and Pollinator Garden , are absolute must - sees . Plan to spend at least a few 60 minutes at the arboretum , there ’s a lot of ground to get over .
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
In North Phoenix , the mostly untouched jolting desert terrain atPhoenix Sonoran Preserve , just 23 knot from the heart of the city , give away a rainbow of color during the spring season . Wildflower seeker can spot brittlebush , apricot mallow , lupin , and California poppy alongApache Wash Loop . Get acquainted with the rest of the 36 - air mile trail system and trek to the top of Apache Vista or Ridgeback Overlook , the first two tiptop of Phoenix ’s grueling and surely blister - inducingSeven Summits Challenge .
Saguaro Lake
Make your direction toSaguaro Lakein Tonto National Forest via Bush Highway , 40 miles from business district , for a gravely scenic desert drive through paint field of operations of graphic yellow and orange blush . Keep an centre out for California poppies , brittlebush , and groundless horses on your style there . HikeButcher Jones Trail , a moderate trek that stretches the shoreline and winds around towering Saguaros , for up secretive glimpses of native wildlife and the desert ’s glorious leap season salad days . livestock a cooler with your favorite charcuterie supplies for a picnic tiffin on the beach or plunge into the lake for a post - hike refresh .
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
TheMcDowell Sonoran Preservemight be surrounded by body politic order and pricy resorts , but do n’t let its metropolitan location mislead you , the North Scottsdale recreation terminus is your gateway to Arizona wildflowers in spring . begin your escapade fromLost Dog Wash Trailheadand scout bright yellow prickly pear flowers , pops of pink cane Opuntia cholla prime , California poppies , blooming ocotillo , and spray of golden brittlebush while you cautiously voyage the rugged landscape . Look out for the aboriginal wildlife ; javelinas , tree lizards , desert cottontail , Gila woodpeckers , and coyotes all make a home of the preserve .
Spring Brittlebush blossoms in the Tonto National Forest|Getty Images, Ron and Patty Thomas
California poppies bloom amongst a stand of Teddy Bear Cholla cacti in South Mountain Community Park 3 March 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. Wildflowers like the poppies are blooming in abundance this year thanks to heavier than normal rainfall with estimates of the colorful show lasting through mid-April.|Photo by Jeff Topping/Getty Images
Courtesy Boyce Thompson Arboretum
