Wildflower Season in the Poconos

When Do Poconos Wildflowers Bloom?

April

The first green shoots appear in the Pocono Mountains in late March and early April. Search the woodlands for trillium with its three graceful petals, tiny hepatica in white, blue, and purple, and yellow trout lily, which has mottled leaves and curling yellow petals.

May

As the spring progresses and leaves begin to fill out the bare branches, you'll find distinctive spring ephemerals like hooded Jack-in-the-Pulpit and hanging Dutchman's breeches.

June

Pennsylvania's state flower, the mountain laurel, can be found in abundance in the Poconos in June. Mountain laurel leaves look much like rhododendron leaves, but the real rhododendron flowers later in June.

Best Places to See Wildflowers

Trails

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is full of spots to see wildflowers! Visit Hornbecks Creek Trail in the spring to see Dutchman's breeches and Jack-in-the-pulpit or explore the trails at Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) to try to spot trillium and trout lily. Stop by the annual Native Plant Sale at PEEC in early May to purchase some plants to take home for your own garden!

Meadows

The Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary in White Mills has 600 acres of meadows, ponds, and trails to explore. Find early daffodils nodding by the water's edge or admire the magnificent rhododendron outside the Dorflinger Glass Museum to see the displays of magnificent crystal. At the sanctuary, you can catch wildflowers in the spring then catch live music in the summer at the appropriately-named Wildflower Concert Series.

ForEvergreen Nature Preserve in East Stroudsburg has a central meadow as well as a rain garden with flowers to enjoy. With plenty of milkweed, it's a great place to go to see Monarch butterflies as well. Located in Carbon County not far from Jim Thorpe, Lehigh Gap Nature Center has meadows and a Native Sensory Garden Trail with phlox, wild bergamot, Virginia rose, and more.

Overlooks

Head to the summit of Big Pocono State Park to see mountain laurel bushes blooming with a panoramic mountain view stretching into the distance across three states. Mountain laurel can also be found at Hickory Run State Park around the famed Boulder Field overlook.

Resorts

The grounds of historic Skytop Lodge extend across 5,500 acres and encompass many hiking trails and wildflower habitats open exclusively to overnight guests. Book a stay and take a walk with Skytop's naturalist, Thomas Zimmerman, who will show you the best spots to find blooms like bloodroot and violets hiding in the forest. The Lodge at Woodloch also has nature experts on staff as well as a resident beekeeper and an organic farm so you can enjoy wildflower hunting, nature therapy, and forest bathing during your stay.

Photo Tips & Etiquette

Stay on Trail

Remember to leave no trace on the wild areas where you search for wildflowers! Follow all posted instructions and don't disturb the flora or fauna so the next visitors can enjoy the landscape as well!

Composition

Consider bringing a camera with a longer lens so you'll be able to zoom in on tiny blooms in the distance! Fill the frame with petals and color or follow the "rule of thirds" and focus on the flower in one third of the frame while leaving two thirds of the frame empty as a neutral backdrop. Switch your phone camera to portrait mode to blur out the background with a soft, blurry "bokeh."

Lighting

The forest floor where many of these flowers are found is often carpeted in a lattice of shadows and sunlight from the branches above - a beautiful setting but challenging for photography due to the mottled light. Overcast days often provide better lighting for photos than sunny days. If the sun is going to be out, try to take your wildflower hike early in the morning or later in the day means so you can catch "golden hour" when the gentle rising or setting sun creates a beautiful, diffuse golden light.

Native Species to Watch For

See if you can identify these Pocono flowers!

Combine Your Day: Picnic Spots & Nearby Cafés

Wildflowers and Coffee

Make some time to visit delicious Pocono restaurants and cafes during your spring visit - you won't even have to leave the wildflower fields behind. Moka Origins Roastery Cafe and Chocolate Factory is located on the scenic grounds of the Himalayan Institute just outside of Honesdale. Enjoy a coffee and a cookie then step out onto the "Sound of Music" hill just behind the old white barn to find a beautiful meadow of wildflowers.

Wildflowers and Wine

If you'd rather treat yourself to a glass of wine after your Pocono wildflower hike, explore the Ridge Trail at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Saylorsburg then hop next door to Sorrenti Family Estate Winery, Distillery and Pizzeria. Sorrenti is one of many scenic spots along the Pocono Beverage Trail, a free digital guide to the best wineries, breweries, and distilleries in the area.

Scenic Picnic Spots Poconos

Looking for picnic ideas? Many of the state parks in the Poconos have designated picnic areas close to beautiful trails. Hunt for flowers at Camp William Penn in Delaware State Forest then sit under the pavilion at Snow Hill and enjoy your snacks of choice. There are many bakeries and farmers' markets Poconos where you can find fresh food and cross off the items on your picnic checklist. Remember to take any trash away with you and help us keep the Poconos clean and green.

Calling All Pocono Plant Lovers

If you've got a green thumb, Pocono wildflowers are just the beginning of spots you'll want to see in our area! From the massive greenhouses at Pocono Organics and the manicured grounds at Grey Towers National Historic Site to the sweet-smelling fields at Paradise Lavender Farm and the annual Sunflower Festival at Yenser's Tree Farm, there are plenty of blooming gardens and fresh farms to discover.

Take a look at our local farmers markets guide and our list of top quiet trails to explore and spring activities to try. Keep an eye out for spring festivals, nature & education events, and secret garden tours like the one hosted by the Milford Garden Club in Downtown Milford every summer. See if you can check off all the challenges on our Spring Adventure Bucket List. See you in the Poconos!