Activities - Wildflower Viewing

Ashford Mill & Jubilee Pass     Wildrose Canyons Mud Canyon, Titus and Echo Canyons     Upper Elevations      Hwys. 178/372, Pahrump to Shoshone

Without a doubt the most spectacular time to be in Death Valley is during the springtime wildflower months. The tricky part is that no one can predict exactly what kind of blooms will come each year. A good wildflower seasons is dependent on the following conditions: Rainfall during the winter and early spring months Warmth from the sun-- but not too much No high winds to dry out the plants      If conditions are perfect flowers will begin on the valley floor in mid February through mid April. At elevations from 2,000-4,000 feet early April through early May are the times to look for wildflowers. In the higher elevations late April through early June are the best months. These months are subject to change--if the rains come later, the season will be pushed back unless heat destroys the plants. Some years when there is no rainfall, the wildflower season produces some blooms, but no fields of flowers. In this section we have listed some good wildflower blooming areas. It is illegal to pick the wildflowers in Death Valley. Please leave them for everyone to enjoy. Ashford Mill & Jubilee Pass      Coming into Death Valley from the southeast via Hwy. 178 you will go through Jubilee Pass and Ashford Mill. These are early spots for wildflower blooming and one can find an array of flowers at Ashford Mill including phacelias, desert five spot, verbena, brown eyed and golden evening primrose and desert gold.

Wildrose Canyon      Wildrose Canyon is the location of the beautiful Panamint daisy, a flower only found in Death Valley in this area. It is much larger than a normal daisy and normal blooming time is early April to early May. Remember--it is illegal to pick flowers in Death Valley.

Mud Canyon, Titus & Echo Canyons      During a good wildflower season you will find fields of flowers growing all along Hwy. 190 and in the roads going to Scotty's Castle and Beatty. Another early viewing spot is Mud Canyon, which is off of the road going to Scotty's on the route to Beatty and before Hell's Gate. Here one can also find an array of flowers like phacelia, desert five spot and primrose. The narrows of Titus Canyon and Echo Canyon are good viewing places too.

Upper Elevations      As the season progresses into April, May and June, you will find flowers blooming in the higher elevations along Emigrant and Wildrose Canyons, higher elevations of Hwy. 190, Scotty's Castle and in the upper canyons and mountain slopes of the backcountry. The scarlet of the Indian Paintbrush stands out vividly against the terrain.

Hwys. 178/372, Pahrump to Shoshone      Clinging tenaciously to life, this little flower is growing in the mud cracks along the highway from Pahrump to Shoshone--Hwy. 372 in Pahrump and Hwy. 178 in California. Throughout the drives in Tecopa, Shoshone and Hwy. 127 you will find beautiful fields of flowers blooming during a good wildflower season.