Where to Find Wildflowers Near Seattle, Washington
If you’re wondering where to wildflowers near Seattle, Washington, you have to visit Discovery Park. This park in Seattle is where some of the prettiest wildflower blooms are located.
When you think of Seattle, you probably think of the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, or Grey’s Anatomy, not fields of wildflowers. But just outside the city is a 534 acre natural area named Discovery Park. This peaceful escape is the city’s largest park with almost 12 miles of trails with views of Puget Sound and the mountains beyond. This park is free to visit, and you won’t have to pay for parking either!
What Kinds of Wildflowers Will I See?
The wildflowers most seen in Discovery Park are lupines. While we call them wildflowers because of their colorful blooms, they are technically a type of plant in the pea family. These plants grow best in northern climates with cooler summers, making Seattle the perfect place for them to grow. You’ll probably spot some bees and butterflies around the flowers, as they are beneficial to these pollinators.
Where to Find Wildflowers in Discovery Park
Discovery Park is the perfect place to escape the noise and busyness of the city. Venture out on one of the many walking trails, pack a picnic, fly a kite, take some pictures, or simply admire the view. You’ll see other visitors doing the same. But you’re looking for wildflowers, and we’ll tell you just where to find them.
Read More: Visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields
Discovery Park Loop Trail
The Loop Trail is a 2.8 mile loop with beautiful views. You don’t have to walk very far before seeing meadows of lupines. The Loop Trail tends to have the highest concentration of lupine flowers making it the perfect spot for a photo.
Historic District at Fort Lawton
If you enter Discovery Park from the south parking lot, you’ll see the historic district. You’ll see some yellow homes that were officer’s quarters during World War II. Along the paved walkway, you might find some lupine flowers scattered throughout the fields.
When is the Best Time to See Wildflowers Near Seattle, Washington?
The best time to see wildflowers in Discovery Park is in the summer time. Mid-late June through July is when the wildflowers start to pop up.
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Wildflower Etiquette-Tips to Protect Wildflowers
Wildflowers are very fragile. Following a few guidelines will ensure that others can enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers too.
–Stay on established trails. When walking along the Loop Trail, stay on the pathway, so the wildflowers are not trampled. If you find wildflowers in the fields along the bike path, look for patches of grass free of wildflowers to walk through or stand in.
–Do not pick or cut any flowers. Take photos of the wildflowers and leave them for others to enjoy. It is illegal in some states to pick wildflowers in an established park.
How to Take Photos of the Wildflowers
During our time in Seattle, we visited Discovery Park during the day and at sunset. The color of the flowers really pops in the midday sun, but my favorite photos were captured in the dreamy golden hour glow. Here are some tips for photographing the wildflowers in Discovery Park.
-If you want to have a subject in your photo, consider shooting at an angle. This makes it less obvious that your subject is standing on a trail or walkway.
-Use varying apertures to get some bokeh in your images.
-Get level with the flowers instead of shooting from above.
-Shoot through the flowers for more visual interest.
-Consider using an Expodisc or white balance filter to better capture the vibrance of the wildflowers.
Bonus Tip
-Use the clone tool in Lightroom to add more wildflowers to your photos.
Read More: How to Edit Travel Photos in Lightroom
