Sierra National Forest

About Us - Springtime in the Sierra National Forest

The lower elevations of the Sierra National Forest are brilliant with wildflowers - this year's rains have produced a phenomenal bloom! Currently some of the earliest wildflowers such as popcorn flower and fiddleneck are fading out, yielding to a more colorful mix including bird's eye gilia, purple owl's clover, Indian pink, western wallflower, Chinese houses, goldfields, madia, and many, many more. The major river canyons are great places to go right now:

If you drive up the Kings River along Trimmer Springs Road along the north shore of Pine Flat Reservoir, you'll see bright orange poppies, purple and white lupines, red maids, baby blue eyes, pretty faces, miner's lettuce, as well as a host of other wildflowers. The Big Creek Road (Forest Road 9) is a good place to view flowers, or you can continue eastward to the Bear Wallow Trail (just be aware there will be traffic associated with whitewater rafting permittees along the narrow dirt road).

The San Joaquin River Canyon is gorgeous right now between Auberry and North Fork. Unusually dense stands of purple owl's clover are especially notable. Fiesta flower, Chinese houses, woodland star, and madia are thriving this year. The Horseshoe Bend Trail should be good for hiking and wildflower viewing (access is from Madera County Road 225 - see Forest Recreation Map for trailhead location).

The Merced River Canyon is famous for its spring bloom, especially the Hite Cove Trail along the South Fork Merced River. Bright orange foothill poppies, purple owl's clover, blue dicks, lupine, and baby blue eyes are just a few of the many wildflowers found along this famous trail.

Visit the National Wildflower website!