You are here

Home » Shenandoah National Park Hosts 30th Annual Wildflower Weekend In May

Shenandoah National Park Hosts 30th Annual Wildflower Weekend In May

Share
By NPT Staff - April 28th, 2016
Shenandoah National Park

Visitors can learn about Shenandoah National Park's many plant species during Wildflower Weekend, held for the 30th time this May./NPS

Blooming wildflowers are a sure sign of spring, and Shenandoah National Park will celebrate with hikes, programs, workshops, and art displays during its 30th annual Wildflower Weekend. The two-day event, to be held May 7-8, will focus on the diversity and value of hundreds of species of flowering plants that are protected by the Virginia park. All programs are free, and no reservations are needed.

Some of the winning entries in the annual “Youth Art in the Park” wildflower art contest will be exhibited at Byrd Visitor Center (Mile 51 on Skyline Drive) on Wildflower Weekend (with winning artists recognized in a ceremony at noon May 7), and later at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center (Mile 4.6).

Featured programs on May 7 are “Wild About Shenandoah, From Wildflowers to Wildlife,” with naturalists Ann and Rob Simpson, and “A Change of Habitat,” with park botanist Wendy Cass.  Watercolor artist Betty Gatewood will lead botanical art workshops on both days.

On May 8, biological technician Jake Hughes will give visitors a chance to use their cell phones to help the park map invasive plants. Participants should register beforehand as EDDMaps users and come with an Apple or Android device loaded with the free Mid-Atlantic Early Detection Network (MAEDN) app.

There will also be hikes to waterfalls, peaks and other wildflower trails, bird walks, and a program designed for children ages 7-12. New this year are circuit hikes to Snead Farm, Passamaquoddy/Little Stony Man Cliffs, and the park’s highest peak, Hawksbill Mountain, which is being rehabilitated this spring.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.