Best Places to See Wildflowers in Minnesota (2025 Guide)
Minnesota has some of the best views, and every spring the trails come alive with amazing wildflowers across the state. One of the reasons I love Minnesota is the wildflowers that bloom from spring into late summer.
From vibrant purple lupines to delicate pink lady’s slipper, Minnesota is home to a variety of native wildflowers.
Whether you’re an outdoor junkie like me, a photographer, or just looking to see something new, here are the top places to see wildflowers in Minnesota.
What are the best places to see wildflowers in Minnesota?
Minnesota is home to many beautiful landscapes, including wildflower-rich prairies, forests, and wetlands. Here are some top places to see wildflowers in Minnesota:
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden | Minneapolis
The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis is the oldest public wildflower garden in the U.S. It’s home to a wide variety of native wildflowers. This 15-acre site in Theodore Wirth Park is a great place to view spring and summer blooms.
North Shore Scenic Drive (Hwy 61)
The North Shore Scenic Drive, which runs along Lake Superior, comes alive in early summer.
Every June the roadside fills with lupines. If you get out of the car to explore, you can even spot the showy pink lady’s slipper in select habitats. Please stay on trails and avoid pulling over where parking is unsafe.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | Chaska
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska has a wildflower garden that features hundreds of native species.
The Arboretum spans over 1,200 acres with trails, gardens, and a 3-mile drive. It’s one of the best places in the state to see wildflowers from May through August.
Whitewater State Park
Whitewater State Park in southeastern Minnesota has a diverse range of spring ephemerals like trillium, wild ginger, and bloodroot.
Its limestone bluffs, restored prairie, and hardwood forest make it a great spot for blooms from April into June.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has excellent wildflower viewing across units like Louisville Swamp, Wilkie, and Bass Ponds.
Look for prairie smoke, wild columbine, butterfly weed, and shooting star in May and June, with coneflowers and bergamot later in summer.
Wild River State Park
Wild River State Park shines in late spring and early summer.
Common flowers here include wild geranium, spiderwort, wood lily, and goldenrod. The prairie loop trails are especially good in June and July.
Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche State Park has meadows and rocky shorelines that bloom from late spring to early summer.
Look for wild rose, wild columbine, harebell, and purple coneflower in sunnier areas; in shady spots you may find bluebead lily and bunchberry.
Maplewood State Park
At Maplewood State Park, wildflowers grow in oak savannas, prairies, and hardwood forests.
Keep an eye out for wild geranium, bluebells, jack-in-the-pulpit, and wild lupine in late spring; prairie blooms peak mid to late summer.
Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park features tallgrass prairie restorations and wetlands with excellent bloom diversity.
Look for black-eyed Susan, swamp milkweed, rattlesnake master, and wild bergamot. It’s one of my favorite places to find wildflowers in Minnesota.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is famous for its spring wildflower carpet from April to May.
Watch for Virginia bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, wild columbine, and bloodroot along woodland trails.
Quarry Hill Nature Center | Rochester
Quarry Hill Nature Center offers prairie and woodland trails that pop with blooms in late spring and summer, including the Prairie Loop and Pine Loop.
Look for prairie smoke, wild sunflowers, butterfly milkweed, and blue flag iris.
What are some of the most common types of wildflowers found in Minnesota?
Minnesota has many native wildflowers. Some of the most common ones include:
Minnesota’s State Flower: Showy Lady’s Slipper (late June to early July)
Minnesota’s state flower is the showy lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae). It is a native orchid that grows in swamps, bogs, and damp woodlands.
The best time to see it in bloom is typically late June to early July, sometimes earlier in southern Minnesota and later on the North Shore.
Popular places to spot them include Tamarack Nature Center, Chippewa National Forest, and Itasca State Park. Never pick or disturb orchids.
Wild Lupine (late May to June)
Wild lupine blooms in late May and June. The flowers are usually blue to purple on tall spikes. Leaves are palmate with leaflets radiating from a center point.
Lupines like sunny, sandy soils and can reach about three feet tall. They support many pollinators and are a host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly.
Prairie Smoke (May to June)
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) is a spring favorite with nodding pink blooms and feathery seed heads that persist into summer and fall.
Look for it in dry prairies and restored grasslands in May and June.
Wild Bergamot (June to July)
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a lavender-pink summer bloomer with a minty fragrance.
It’s loved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and often peaks in July.
Black-eyed Susan (July to August)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) adds bright yellow color to prairies and roadsides in midsummer.
It attracts pollinators and often blooms through August and into early September.
Butterfly Weed (July to August)
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) produces striking orange blooms and supports monarchs and other pollinators.
Find it in sunny prairies and roadsides in midsummer.
Shooting Star (May to June)
Shooting star has pink to purple nodding blooms in late spring.
It attracts bees and is a favorite in open woodlands and prairies.
When is the best time to see wildflower bloom in Minnesota?
Bloom times vary by species and region, but generally run from April through August. Southern Minnesota blooms first, then central, with the North Shore peaking later due to cooler lake air.
For the most up-to-date timing, check park wildflower reports, visitor centers, or local nature groups before you go.
Are there any restrictions or permits required for picking or harvesting wildflowers in Minnesota?
Do not pick wildflowers in State Parks, Scientific and Natural Areas, National Wildlife Refuges, or most nature preserves. Many species are protected, including orchids.
On private land you need landowner permission. On many public lands, picking is prohibited; when in doubt, leave no trace and take photos only.
How can I identify different types of wildflowers found in Minnesota?
Bring a field guide, use plant ID apps, and cross-check with local resources. A handy guide is the Wildflowers of Minnesota Field Guide. Apps like iNaturalist or Google Lens can help, but verify with multiple sources.
Photography tips for capturing wildflowers
Here are simple tips for stunning wildflower photos:
- Shoot during golden hour for soft, warm light.
- Try different angles and distances for depth and interest.
- Use a tripod for sharp photos in low light or wind.
- Use a macro for close-ups; use a wide-angle to show flowers in the landscape.
- Be patient. Wait for calm air and good light.
Great shots include close-ups with blurred backgrounds and wide angles of fields with a scenic backdrop.
Practice, review your results, and adjust settings to match light and wind.
Start planning your next adventure
Minnesota is full of prairies, forests, and wetlands that burst with color every spring and summer.
Whether you want photos or a peaceful hike, these spots will deliver. From showy lady’s slipper to wild lupine, each bloom has its own charm.
Pack your camera, stay on trails, and enjoy the best of Minnesota’s wildflower season.
