What is the state flower of Yellowstone?

Many visitors search for the “state flower of Yellowstone,” expecting the park to have an official flower of its own. The truth is that Yellowstone National Park does not have a designated state flower, because it is not a state—it is a federally protected national park that spans across three different U.S. states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Each of these states has its own official state flower, and all three species are found within or near regions of the park. Therefore, when people refer to the “state flower of Yellowstone,” they are usually referring to the state flowers of the states the park occupies, especially Wyoming, where the largest portion of the park lies.

Quick Reference: State Flowers Connected to Yellowstone

State	State Flower	Relevance to Yellowstone
Wyoming	Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.)	Most associated with the park; widely seen in Yellowstone’s meadows and slopes.
Montana	Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)	Found mostly near the park’s northern edges; symbol of Montana’s rugged landscapes.
Idaho	Syringa / Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)	Grows at lower elevations outside Yellowstone’s high plateau; symbolic of Idaho.

The state flower most closely associated with Yellowstone is the Indian Paintbrush, the official flower of Wyoming. This vibrant wildflower is known for its striking red, orange, or sometimes bright-pink “bracts” that look like they’ve been dipped in paint. Indian Paintbrush grows throughout Yellowstone’s meadows, river valleys, and high-elevation slopes during late spring and summer, making it one of the most photographed and celebrated flowers in the park. Its bold color stands out dramatically against green meadows, charred forest floors recovering after fire, and even along geyser basin boardwalks where other vegetation is sparse. Because the majority of Yellowstone sits within Wyoming, many visitors naturally associate Indian Paintbrush with the park’s identity.

Montana, which covers the park’s northern and western sections, has a different state flower—the Bitterroot. This low-growing, pink, star-shaped plant is known for thriving in harsh, dry, rocky soils. Although it is not as commonly seen inside Yellowstone as Indian Paintbrush, it remains an iconic symbol of Montana’s rugged terrain and botanical heritage. Its blossoms, which open close to the ground, were historically important to Indigenous peoples and early settlers because the roots were harvested as food. In areas near Yellowstone’s northern border, especially around Gardiner and Paradise Valley, Bitterroot blooms add a delicate touch to the region’s meadowlands in early summer.

Idaho, which includes the park’s small southwestern corner, has the Syringa, also called Mock Orange, as its state flower. This shrub produces clusters of white, fragrant blossoms and is more common at lower elevations than in Yellowstone’s high, cold plateaus. While visitors are less likely to see large stands of Syringa within the park boundaries, the flower remains important culturally as the emblem of Idaho’s natural landscapes and is occasionally spotted in the warm, dry foothills not far from Yellowstone’s edge.

In practice, when someone asks “What is the state flower of Yellowstone?”, the answer depends on which part of the park they’re referring to. Wyoming’s Indian Paintbrush is the most widely connected to Yellowstone simply because the park is primarily located within Wyoming. But Montana’s Bitterroot and Idaho’s Syringa also play a meaningful role in defining the broader region’s botanical identity.