Wildflower Viewing

There are 393 documented plant species at Jewel Cave National Monument. Bright splashes of color from the most common wildflowers can be seen in bloom along all of the surface trails, near the Visitor Center, and at the Historic Area. Hike the Canyons Trail to see the most variety of wildflowers on your hike. This 3.5 mile (5.6 km) trail takes you through the Ponderosa pine forest, the prairie grassland, and back into the forest. Hiking through the different habitats will allow you to see wildflowers that may only grow in open grassland as well as wildflowers that prefer the shade of the forest. Visit at different times of year, as some of the flowers bloom as early as March, while others can bloom as late as October. Remember, everything in the national monument is protected. Enjoy the flowers - look at them, smell them, compare them, sketch them, photograph them - but please do not pick or otherwise disturb them!