PHOENIX — You'll know spring has sprung in Arizona by the runny noses, watery eyes and near-constant sneezing.
But all the pollen in the air is worth it once you stop to take a look at a breathtaking view on one of Arizona's trails.
This year's wildflower season is highly anticipated due to the above average rain totals from the fall and winter.
Wildflower season usually starts around late February, early March, according to state park officials. Flowers at higher elevations will bloom later around May and last well into the summer.
State parks are some of the best places to see the spring yellow, red, orange, blue, or purple desert blooms. Here's where you'll find which flowers:
Lost Dutchman State Park
According to the Arizona State Parks website, Lost Dutchman State Park is covered in a variety of wildflowers in the springtime. Those blooms include but are not limited to:
- Poppies
- Fiddlenecks
- Globemallow
- Brittlebush
- Desert evening primrose
- Blue dicks
- Lupine
- Ocotillo
- Chicory
- Scorpionweed (Phacelia)
- Skeleton weed
- Jojoba
- Mormon tea
- Bluebell
Lost Dutchman State Park is located east of the Valley in Apache Junction off of AZ-88.
Picacho Peak State Park
If you like the color yellow, you must visit Picacho Peak State Park this spring. Golden Mexican poppies surround the base of the mountain and campgrounds, the State Parks website says.
Picacho Peak State Park is located off Interstate 10 south of Casa Grande but north of Tucson.
Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park, like Lost Dutchman State Park, also sees a variety of wildflowers. According to the State Parks website, Catalina State Park's flowers will bloom slightly late than other Sonoran Desert parks. Some of the flowers you'll find in this southern Arizona park are:
- Silverpuffs
- Ocotillo
- Prickly pear cactus
- Mariposa lily
- Desert honeysuckle
- Bristly nama or sand bells
- New Mexico thistle
- Yellow spiny daisy
- Owl clover
- Desert evening primrose
- Mexican gold poppies
- Wild hyacinth (blue dicks)
- Desert chicory
- Blue phacelia
- Chia or desert pincushion
The park uploads photos of its wildflowers on its Facebook page.
Catalina State Park is located in Tucson along AZ-77.
Alamo Lake State Park
Head to this high desert park in late March or early April to see it covered in brittlebush flowers along the shorelines and blankets of bright yellow starbursts, the parks' website says.
Located in Wenden, Alamo Lake State Park is off US 93.
Red Rock State Park
Is there a time of year when Sedona doesn't look gorgeous? No.
The wildflowers in Red Rock State Park begin to sprout in May and continue through mid-June due to the higher elevation, the State Parks website says.
Lots of yellow and purple flowers grow in the Sedona area, including:
- Purple yarrow
- Hooker’s onion
- Blue dicks
- Rockcress
- Mariposa lily
- New Mexico thistle
- Whipple cholla
- Shrubby cinquefoil
- A variety of lupines
- A variety of sunflowers
Red Rock State Park is in Sedona which can be reached by AZ-179 from Interstate 17.