As the cold season ends, hikers and nature lovers look forward to seeing wildflowers in bloom — even in a place like Montana, known for its long, cold winters, short summers, and muddy springs. There’s even a joke favored by locals saying that there are just two seasons in Montana: winter and road construction. Although winter is so long that many mountains in Montana never lose all their snow (there’s even North America’s only summer ski area, near Yellowstone), the state does have a gorgeous, vibrant wildflower season. And it’s actually much longer than you’d think!
The long winters mean that the meadows bloom later in the spring, but Montana makes up for this late start with many flowers that appear well into the fall. Some of Montana’s best blooms happen in the autumn months, especially in September. In addition, some of Montana’s most vibrant flowers bloom at higher altitudes later in the summer. These blooms are harder to reach, but they are always worth the trip. While Yellowstone and Glacier national parks are filled with colorful flowers, you’ll find plenty of viewing opportunities throughout the state, including at the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness between the two.
Where (and when) to see wildflowers in Montana
There are a whole host of mesmerizing places to see flowers in bloom around the world, and Montana should surely make the list. Thanks to the wide variety of terrain, numerous flower species bloom all over the state, usually beginning in early May when the snow has melted (or at least receded) and the sun is beginning to warm the earth. Depending on the elevation and location, some landscapes will see blooms until September.
In May, look for flowers like the glacier lily, a yellow specimen that signals the arrival of spring, as it tends to grow in the path of the melting snow. In mid-May, the arrowleaf balsamroot, a large yellow sunflower-like bloom, appears throughout the state in wide-open fields and forests. Montana’s hearty state flower, the delicate pink bitterroot (so-named because of its edible and bitter-tasting roots), also blooms in May. Look for these pretty flowers in the foothills near cities like Bozeman, Missoula, or the appropriately named Bitterroot Valley.
Starting in June, hike up to recent fire zones in the Rockies to spot fireweed. Fireweed, a tall, boldly violet wildflower, is often the first flower to grow in devastated areas (which explains the name). Also in June (although they’re known to bloom through August), you may spot the bright red indian paintbrush, especially prolific in southwest Montana. In July and August, head to Glacier National Park to see the impressive white beargrass flowers, which can reach up to 8 feet tall. While you’ll see beargrass every year, super blooms do occur every five to 10 years, under ideal conditions. Finally, in September, hiking up to cooler elevations will give glimpses of the (literal) late bloomers, such as certain species of fireweed and alpine forget-me-nots.
