Appearances can be deceiving. Craters of the Moon near Arco, Idaho is famous for its dark and desolate landscape, but look closer and you may be surprised by what you find. Every year, this wildly unique park bursts with color as the wildflower bloom in Idaho reaches its peak. With blooms in just about every color, it makes for a stark contrast to the typically dramatic scenery!

Located in Idaho's Snake River Plain, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve never fails to fill us with awe. Its vast ocean of lava flows and scattered cinder cones may look desolate at first but just wait...
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook
When the wildflowers start to bloom, you'll find that the park is actually full of color and life! Every spring, you can witness a spectacular display of floral beauty all around the park's dramatic landscape.
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Believe it or not, there are more than 700 different types of plants that can be found at the monument. They come into bloom at different times, starting with the arrival of wild onion in late April.
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook

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Peak bloom can typically be observed around mid-June. During this time, you can see the purple blooms of Monkeyflower, the bluish blooms of Larkspur, and the bright orange shades of Indian Paintbrush - and that's just naming a few.
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook
The bloom typically lasts into September, ending with the blossoms of rabbitbrush. All of these flowers are unique in their own way, but they all have one thing in common.
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook
All of these flowers have adapted to growing in this harsh, dry, and hot environment. With meager soil and surface temperatures that can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit, this is definitely an impressive feat!
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook
Craters of the Moon may be most well-known for its rugged and seemingly barren appearance, but look a little closer and you'll see that this park is just brimming with plant life. Make sure to see the wildflower bloom this spring!
Craters of the Moon NPS/Facebook

Idaho has many beautiful places, and each of them can be a wonderful spot to discover wildflowers. Check out some of our favorite places where you can enjoy nature in Idaho:

Have you been to Craters of the Moon during the annual wildflower bloom in Idaho? It’s certainly a sight to be seen. Share your thoughts with us! Then, check out even more wonderful places to enjoy wildflowers in Idaho.

The 7 Best And Most Beautiful Places To See Wildflowers In Idaho This Spring

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Wildflowers In Idaho

Chris Muras | March 19, 2024

Where are the best wildflowers in Idaho?
There is no denying that Idaho has some of the most beautiful natural areas in the country - even if many people are not aware of it yet. Here are some of the best places to find wildflowers in Idaho:

  • Centennial Marsh, Fairfield, ID: The Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh WMA has a very special guest in late May - a vast field of blue and purple camas lilies. This beautiful spring bloom is only enhanced by the stunning mountain ranges in Camus County. When the sun sets over Two Point Mountain with a sea of camas lilies shining bright, it is one of the most incredible sights we have seen. If you are up for a fun spring festival, the town of Fairfield holds its annual Camas Lily Days on the first weekend of June.
  • North-central Idaho canola blooms: While not technically a wildflower since canola plants are a cash crop used for making canola oil, these golden fields in the Palouse region of Idaho are still gorgeous. When seen from a distance, the gently rolling hills of Idaho seem to be covered in a golden blanket of flowers. It is an incredible feeling to stand in the middle of a flowing field of gold.
  • Fox Creek Trail, Sun Valley, ID: One of our favorite wildflower hikes is in the Sun Valley in the Sawtooth National Forest. The Fox Creek Trail is a 5.3-mile loop trail that takes you through an enchanting aspen forest and opens up to gorgeous views of valleys, mountains, and meadows filled with wildflowers in the spring and summer. If you love a good wildflower hike, we think you'll love this one just as much as we do.

There are plenty more wildflower hikes in Idaho. We've covered another nine in this featured article showcasing a few more of our favorite places to find flowers near you in Idaho. Before you lace up your hiking shoes, grab a map or two from AllTrails+.

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Craters of the Moon, Idaho 83213, USA