The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Minnesota Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure

Wildflower season in Minnesota tends to be a little more protracted than it is in other parts of the country. It starts a little later – usually around late March or early April, when the skunk cabbage starts to poke up through the snow (when there is snow) and it can last well into October, or whenever the first frost hits, with different things blooming at different times. So, if you want enjoy to several types of spring wildflowers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes around the same time, you’ll have to do a bit of traveling. One itinerary to check out in late April or early May is this spring wildflower road trip in Minnesota. If you enjoy wildflowers, we think you’ll like this route.

Google Maps

Tap or click on this map for guidance and to follow along on this spring wildflower road trip in Minnesota.

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In late April and early May, wildflowers start to pop at Carley State Park near Plainview.

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Lorie Shaull/Flickr

Carley is, arguably, the best park in Minnesota for spring wildflowers.

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Lorie Shaull/Flickr

Look for early species like hepatica, blood root, and false rue anemone.

Carley State Park, 50366 Wabasha County Rd 4, Plainview, MN 55964, USA

Lorie Shaull/Flickr

But the real star of the show is the Virginia bluebells. Things do tend to get a little busier in the park when the bluebells are blooming, but there's plenty of room for everyone on the ​​Wildflower Trail.

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Kimberly Burke/Google Reviews

Your next stop on this spring wildflower road trip in Minnesota is ​​Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, 9700 170th St E, Nerstrand, MN 55053, USA

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Although it lacks the Bluff Country topography of Carley, Nerstrand's stand of big woods still nurtures many species of spring flowers, such as Dutchman's breeches and Virginia spring beauties.

jpellgen/Flickr

Your third stop on the road trip - and the final one, as far as flowers are concerned - is ​​Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary at Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Golden Valley.

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You're sure to find several species of wildflowers in bloom at Eloise Butler. Stroll the grounds and see what you can see in this urban wildlife oasis.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA

Trent Jonas/OnlyInYourState

Since the garden is also a bird sanctuary, bring ​​a pair of binoculars - you never know what you'll see when spring migration is in full swing.

Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N #700, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA

jpellgen/Flickr

Finally, reward yourself with a creekside beer on the patio of ​​Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis. It's only a few minutes away from Eloise Butler - and hey, you deserve it!

We hope you enjoy this spring wildflower trip in Minnesota! Be sure to let us know in the comments where your favorite places for spring wildflowers are and what you would add to our itinerary.