Arizona's best summer wildflower hikes, from ultra easy to a fun workout
For Arizona wildflower enthusiasts, 2023 will not soon be forgotten.
A superbloom spring drenched the desert in a sea of golden poppies along with a supporting cast that included lupine, owl’s clover, paintbrush, globemallow and more. Then in April, just when the delicate poppies began to wilt in the heat, hillsides exploded in brittlebush and paloverde blooms.
If it had ended right there, it would be considered a wildflower show for the ages. Yet here’s the good news: We’re just at halftime. There’s a whole other wave of wildflowers spreading across the high country. The late-season snow melt has triggered a burst of blooms, with more just waiting for the kiss of monsoon storms to awaken them.
So if you didn’t get your wildflower fill in the spring, start planning your summer road trips. Cool off in the high country and enjoy another bounty of blooms with these summer wildflower hikes.
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Where to see wildflowers in Flagstaff
Buffalo Park: Perched atop a mesa not far from downtown Flag, Buffalo Park is a favorite of locals in all seasons. It features an easy 2.2-mile loop trail through big meadows atop a mesa. Along with expansive mountain views, you’ll find a nice assortment of flowers including thistle, globemallow, fleabane and tall leggy sunflowers.
Details: 2400 N. Gemini Road. Free. https://www.flagstaff.com/buffalo-park.
Sandys Canyon Trail: Surprises lurk in this slender gorge just off Lake Mary Road. The trail traces the rim of Walnut Canyon before dropping through mixed forest heavy with underbrush. Upon reaching the canyon floor, it becomes an idyllic stroll through grassy fields beneath walls of towering stone.
Look for spreading four o’clocks, globemallows, goldenrods, deervetch and sunflowers sprinkled among the grasses on the canyon floor. If you’re fortunate, you might even spot the delicate blooms of Rocky Mountain iris. The 1.5-mile pathway ends at a junction with the Arizona Trail, allowing for additional hiking options.
Details: Drive southeast out of Flagstaff 5.5 miles on Lake Mary Road to the signed trailhead on the left. Free. 928-526-0866, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Bismarck Lake Trail: More pond than lake, Bismarck offers a scenic setting and enough soggy ground to nourish a healthy blend of summer wildflowers.
The easy 1.5-mile out-and-back trail off Hart Prairie Road passes through cool forests and broad meadows punctuated with stunning vistas of the San Francisco Peaks before connecting with the Arizona Trail. White Canada violets can be seen amid the shady woods, along with Richardson’s geranium. In sunnier locales are Parry’s bellflower, yarrow, lupine and beardlip penstemon.
Forest roads 151 and 627 to the trailhead are dirt and gravel passable by carefully driven cars. You may be more comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle.
Details: From Flagstaff, drive north on U.S. 180 to Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road) and turn right. At FR 627 turn right again and follow it to the trailhead. Free. 928-526-0866, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Fort Valley flower field: One of Flag’s most dramatic viewing spots requires no hiking at all. Just off of U.S. 180, a grassy meadow explodes with a sunburst of sunflowers prompted by monsoon storms.
Framed by the rising bulk of the San Francisco Peaks this is a quintessential Flagstaff panorama. Sunflowers appear in late July with color usually peaking in mid-August. Most of the field is on private land so please be respectful.
Details: At the intersection of U.S. 180 and Schultz Pass Road north of downtown Flagstaff.
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Where to see wildflowers at Grand Canyon North Rim
Widforss Trail: Because of the heavy winter snowfall, the Grand Canyon’s North Rim opened later than normal this year. But all that slow-melting moisture can only be good for the flower population. You’ll likely enjoy plenty of roadside wildflowers just making the long drive to reach the North Rim perched atop the lonely Kaibab Plateau.
Once you’re in the park, hike the Widforss Trail. Named for Gunnar Widforss, who lived and painted at the canyon nearly a century ago, the trail rambles through shaggy woods dropping in and out of moist drainages where you should find a carpet of lupines. Lupines had an incredible year in the springtime deserts and should fare equally well in mountain meadows.
Other blooms include beardlip penstemon, Indian paintbrush, yarrow and goldeneye. Trail is 9.6 miles round-trip.
Details: Due to a break in a water pipeline, the North Rim is open with limited food and beverage services. Accommodations at Grand Canyon Lodge won’t be available until late July. The campground is open; reservations are required at https://www.recreation.gov. Park admission is $35 per vehicle, good for seven days. 928-638-7888, https://www.nps.gov/grca.
Mogollon Rim: Payson to Show Low to Greer
Horton Creek Trail: This route chases a silver-tongued stream spilling down the slopes to the base of the Mogollon Rim. The showy yellow flowers of Hooker’s evening primrose brighten up the pine forest. Scarlet gaura, wild geranium and brown-eyed Susan join in the festivities, and tall columbines bloom close to the water. And on this hike in summer, you’re going to want to be close to the water. The moderate trail ends at gushing Horton Spring, 6.4 miles round-trip.
Details: From Payson, drive east on State Route 260 for 17 miles to Tonto Creek Road (Forest Road 289) near Kohls Ranch. Turn left and go 1 mile to the trailhead at Upper Tonto Creek Campground. Free. 928-474-7900, www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.
Woodland Lake Park: The 583-acre park is the lush heart of Pinetop-Lakeside. Spread across meadows and pine forests with a gentle mile-long paved path circling a small lake, it is a great spot for fishing, picnics and wildlife viewing. Summer brings out a range of hues with goldeneyes, pinedrops, lupines, yarrow, sunflowers and the exploded fireworks blooms of scarlet gilia.
Details: 450 Woodland Lake Road, Pinetop-Lakeside. Free. www.pinetoplakesideaz.gov.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area: This sprawling high-country lake just outside of Show Low makes an enticing getaway for anglers, boaters, campers and anyone needing a back-to-nature break.
A 1.5-mile hiking trail runs along the south and west sides of the lake. The path follows the water’s edge and weaves through fields of black-eyed Susans, yarrow, sunflowers, globemallow and prairie coneflowers. Often the meadows are buzzing with dragonflies and butterflies flitting among the blooms.
Details: 1500 N. Fool Hollow Lake, Show Low. $7 per vehicle Mondays-Thursdays; $10 Fridays-Sundays. 928-537-3680, azstateparks.com/fool-hollow.
West Fork Trail: Not to be confused with the popular Oak Creek Canyon adventure of the same name, this hike is near Greer and follows the clear waters of the West Fork of the Little Colorado River.
It travels through a checkerboard of forests and meadows dotted with Queen Anne’s lace, Franciscan bluebells and Mexican hat. If you see some small flowers growing in the stream, those are likely white water buttercups.
The trail gradually climbs to Badger Pond, also known as Trail Springs Tank, surrounded by wild roses and raspberry bushes. After this, it begins a steeper, rockier climb. West Fork Trail continues on into the Mount Baldy Wilderness where it becomes the West Baldy Trail after about 7 miles.
Details: From Eagar, travel west on State Route 260 for 9.6 miles to SR 373. Turn left on SR 373 and go 4.3 miles, then turn right on Osborne Road. The trailhead is on the left. Free. 928-333-6200, www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.
Meet Roger Naylor, get summer travel tips
Roger Naylor will be in metro Phoenix on July 25 to talk about his latest book, "Awesome Arizona: 200 Amazing Facts About the Grand Canyon State." There will be a slide presentation with travel tips, and Naylor will answer questions and sign copies of his book ($16.95). And there will be coffee and pastries.
Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Georgia T. Lord Library, 1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear. Free. https://mcldaz.org/en-US/georgia-t-lord.
Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best wildflower hikes in Arizona this summer: Grand Canyon, Flagstaff
