Before the weather warms up and before the Palo Verde allergy season kicks in, go enjoy springtime in the desert and catch the delicate beauty of some of the wildflowers that are blooming.
Locally there are a couple places that can be recommended. One is Basin Park in El Mirage. There’s no official parking lot so do the best you can to park legally nearby and then walk around the park and enjoy all the wide variety of flowering plants, trees and bushes they have incorporated into the landscaping. The ⅓ mile loop on the south side of the park is very beautiful.
Desert Lupins
The other nearby place to enjoy a longer hike with flowers and also get away from the city is the White Tanks. For families, the Black Rock Trail is a great option and there are two loops so you can decide if you want to take the longer or shorter one. Bathrooms are just across the street as is a really fun playground and some picnic areas. Right now the Brittle Bush plants are in full bloom plus there are little patches of poppies and other small flowers you can enjoy. Not too far from that is the Windmill and Pond. It’s a very short walk but a pretty spot to enjoy the scenery, flowers, and birds that are attracted to the water. (There is a $10 entry fee.)
Brittle Bush
If you feel like going farther out then here are some additional ideas all of which are known to usually have pretty springtime wildflowers:
- Make a loop that includes Jacob’s Crosscut Trail at Lost Dutchman State Park ($20 entry fee)
- Rainbow Valley Trail at Estrella Mountain Regional Park is supposed to be very pretty but that trail is also rated “Difficult” so it may not be the best choice for a family who is not already big on hiking. ($10 entry fee)
- Picacho Peak State Park is another popular choice for people looking for wildflowers and it’s a straight shot down the 10 freeway going towards Tucson. ($20 entry fee)
Orange Globe Mallows (They also come lavender and light orange)
You can always call any of these places to confirm that the flowers are in bloom but even if they are not putting on a fantastic show, they are all still great places to go hiking with the family.
When you go out, remember that wildflowers are very delicate and will not survive being picked and taken home the way garden flowers usually can. It’s best to resist the temptation to pick them and instead to leave them right where they are for the butterflies, bees, and birds who can use them for food!
White Tanks with Brittle Bush in the foreground just starting to put out their yellow daisy like flowers.
