Flowers in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is not only home to geysers, wildlife, and grand mountain views but also to one of the most enchanting wildflower displays in North America. Across its meadows, forests, river valleys, and even thermal areas, an astonishing diversity of flowers emerges throughout the year. From the first blossoms that push through the snow in early spring to the colorful carpets that blanket valleys in summer, and the subtle tones of autumn blooms, Yellowstone’s flowers add beauty and ecological richness to the landscape. Each color and species tells a story of adaptation, survival, and connection to the park’s animals and climate.

List of Flowers in Yellowstone National Park

Flower Color	Examples	Common Locations	Blooming Period
White	Marsh marigold, Phlox, Yarrow, Wild strawberry, Pussytoes, Bistort	Wet meadows, northern range, open meadows, hillsides	Spring to late summer
Yellow	Arrowleaf balsamroot, Glacier lily, Arnica, Rabbitbrush, Prickly pear cactus, Monkeyflower	Meadows, forest floors, northern range, thermal areas, dry slopes	May through late summer
Red / Pink	Indian paintbrush, Shooting star, Bitterroot, Wild rose, Sticky geranium, Fireweed	Sagebrush flats, northern valleys, moist meadows, high elevations	Early summer to late summer
Blue / Purple	Lupine, Penstemon, Fringed gentian, Harebell, Forget-me-not, Wild iris, Monkshood, Asters	Meadows, geyser basins, dry slopes, moist areas, high valleys	June through fall

White Flowers

The white flowers of Yellowstone add a soft elegance to the park’s landscape, often thriving in meadows, moist soils, and along streams. Species like marsh marigolds brighten wet meadows, while northern bedstraw and white geranium bring delicate blooms to forested and open areas in midsummer. Phlox, a widespread wildflower, paints hillsides with clusters of white in spring, while yarrow endures well into late summer and early fall, prized for its resilience. Other white blooms such as wild strawberry, cow parsnip, and woodland star provide both beauty and food for animals like chipmunks, ground squirrels, and pollinators. From the ephemeral spring beauty to the summer-blooming bistort and ladies’ tresses, these flowers reflect the diversity of Yellowstone’s habitats and remind visitors that even the most delicate blossoms can play a powerful role in the ecosystem.

Yellow Flowers

Yellow is one of the dominant colors in Yellowstone’s wildflower palette, with bright golden tones illuminating meadows, hillsides, and geothermal areas. Glacier lilies and yellow bells are among the first signs of spring, carpeting slopes in brilliant hues as snow melts away. Later in the season, arrowleaf balsamroot and arnica create golden waves across the northern range, while cinquefoil and stonecrop thrive in drier soils. Thermal regions bring forth species such as the yellow monkeyflower, adapted to survive in the unusual conditions near hot springs and geysers. By late summer and early autumn, rabbitbrush and goldenrod provide some of the final splashes of yellow across the park, signaling the seasonal shift. Together, these yellow blooms represent endurance and warmth, their colors echoing the summer sun that sustains Yellowstone’s short but vibrant growing season.

Red & Pink Flowers

Red and pink flowers are among the most striking in Yellowstone, often standing out against the greens and golds of summer meadows. Shooting stars appear in late spring, with their unique star-shaped blossoms gracing moist areas. Prairie smoke, with its feathery pink seed heads, adds texture and charm to open fields, while bitterroot brings a soft pink glow to the northern range. Paintbrush, perhaps one of the most iconic of Yellowstone’s flowers, splashes slopes with vivid reds and oranges throughout summer. Wild roses and sticky geraniums fill meadows with fragrance and beauty, while fireweed thrives after disturbances such as fires, symbolizing renewal and resilience. These flowers not only delight human visitors but also play an important role for pollinators and other wildlife, ensuring that the park’s ecosystems remain in balance.

Blue & Purple Flowers

The blue and purple flowers of Yellowstone provide a soothing contrast to the fiery reds and sunny yellows. Fringed gentians bloom near geyser basins and meadows, offering one of the park’s most spectacular late-summer displays. Lupines dominate vast areas of grasslands, creating waves of indigo that stretch across hillsides, while penstemons add striking purple highlights to meadows. Other species such as harebells, wild flax, and bluebells thrive in open meadows and along streams, their colors reflecting the calm tones of the sky and water. Monkshood and larkspur favor moist environments, while the delicate forget-me-not and phacelia brighten the northern range. Together, these blossoms bring richness and depth to Yellowstone’s floral diversity, ensuring that every visitor finds a spectrum of color woven into the park’s rugged wilderness.