Mercer County’s wildflowers transform the landscape with bursts of color throughout the spring and summer. Whether you’re strolling through a state park, exploring a city trail or hiking in a nature preserve, vibrant blooms are waiting to be discovered. Here are some of the best spots to find wildflowers in Mercer County.
Pinnacle Rock State Park
While Pinnacle Rock State Park is best known for its towering rock formation, don’t forget to look down — wildflowers thrive along the forest floor! The park’s rocky ridges and dry upland forests provide the perfect conditions for these stunning blooms:
- Mountain Laurel – A relative of the West Virginia state flower, rhododendron, this broadleaf evergreen shrub produces clusters of pink or white flowers.
- Flame Azalea – A brilliant orange wild azalea, common along dry ridges.
- Sourwood – Delicate, bell-shaped white flowers that appear in summer, and are especially loved by honeybees.
- Pipsissewa – A small evergreen ground cover with nodding pink flowers.
- Wild Blue Phlox – Dainty blue or violet flowers that appear in spring.
Camp Creek State Park
What pairs better with wildflowers than waterfalls? At Camp Creek State Park, you’ll find both. The park’s 35 miles of trails wind through 6,000 acres of diverse forest terrain, showcasing a variety of native wildflowers, including:
- Trillium (Various Species) – A telltale spring wildflower with three petals in shades of white, red or pink.
- Jack-in-the-Pulpit – A unique green and purple-striped flower with a hooded structure, also called “Parson-in-the-Pulpit” for its resemblance to a minister standing at a pulpit.
- Wild Ginger – Heart-shaped leaves that conceal small maroon flowers hidden at ground level.
- Yellow Lady’s Slipper Orchid – A rare woodland orchid with a striking yellow pouch-like bloom.
- Cardinal Flower – A bright red flower that thrives near streams and wetlands, attracting hummingbirds.
Brush Creek Preserve
Protected by The Nature Conservancy, Brush Creek Preserve is home to an incredible variety of wildflowers and rare plant species. As you hike toward Brush Creek Falls, try to spot:
- Virginia Bluebells – Clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers that bloom in early spring near water sources.
- Dutchman’s Breeches – Named for their resemblance to tiny white pants hanging on a line, these flowers bloom in early spring.
- Foamflower – Delicate white flower spikes that thrive in the moist woodland understory.
- Jewelweed – Bright orange, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and are commonly found along the water’s edge.
Bluefield City Park
With 14 miles of trails winding through 440 acres of wooded terrain, Bluefield City Park offers plenty of opportunities to spot wildflowers. Spring and summer bring a colorful mix of blooms, including:
- Black-eyed Susan – A cheerful yellow wildflower with a dark center, commonly found in open areas.
- Butterfly Weed – A bright orange flower that attracts butterflies, especially monarchs.
- Eastern Redbud – A tree that bursts with pink blooms in early spring.
- Common Milkweed – An essential plant for monarch butterflies, producing fragrant pink flower clusters.
- Daylilies – Often planted along roadsides and in urban parks, daylilies bloom in many colors.
Princeton City Park
Princeton City Park is home to a scenic two-mile walking loop as well as a dedicated Pollinator Garden — making it an ideal place to slow down and appreciate the flowers. Look for:
- Daisy Fleabane – Tiny daisy-like wildflowers growing in grassy areas.
- Goldenrod – A tall, yellow wildflower that blooms in late summer, crucial for pollinators.
- Wild Violets – Small purple-blue flowers that bloom in early spring, often found along the edge of wooded areas.
- Hosta – A shade-loving plant with purple or white flowers, frequently used in landscaping.
- Lamb’s Ear – A flower that is recognizable by its soft, fuzzy leaves, and often found in garden beds.
Pipestem Resort State Park
With its varied landscapes, Pipestem Resort State Park offers a rich assortment of wildflowers. Throughout the park, you’ll find:
- Rhododendron (West Virginia State Flower) – A large evergreen shrub with pinkish-white summer blooms, commonly found along gorges and shady slopes.
- Wild Columbine – A red and yellow bell-shaped flower that attracts hummingbirds, blooming from April through June.
- Turk’s Cap Lily – A tall, striking orange lily with downward-facing petals, found in meadows and open woods.
- Bloodroot – A delicate early spring wildflower with small white blooms and a yellow center, named for its red sap, which was historically used as a dye.
- Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) – Lavender-colored flowers that are a favorite of bees and hummingbirds.
On your next warm-weather outing, take a moment to admire the wildflowers dotting the trails, meadows and woodlands of Mercer County. Request a free travel guide to learn more about the area and plan your visit!