Arizona State Parks: Ranger Cam

These pictures were what the parks looked like in February and early March 2008. This is not what the parks look like now.

2008 Wildflower Ranger Cam

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Monday, March 17th, 2008

Fiddleneck (top left) and Marah (top right) are in bloom this week. A Rhyolite Bush displays white flowers (bottom left). In addition, Poppies continue to bloom (bottom right).

The 45-minute drive on Highway 60 east from Mesa to Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is colorful — this week look for blue roadside "lupine lanes" beside the highway from Gold Canyon to Gonzalez Pass (milepost #218), and abundant chicory, yellow bladderpod, and a few owl's clover. The Arboretum (milepost #223) offers guided wildflower walks every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at noon in March; they're included with daily admission of $7.50 — so plan a visit this week while the Spring Plant Sale event continues.

Park Manager Tracy Hanley tells us that southwest-facing hillsides of Picketpost Mountain near the Arboretum are covered with poppies and sprinkled with an artist's palette of other colors from peppergrass (Lepidium lasiocarpum), desert lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus), A few rhyolite bush (Crossosoma bigelovii) are blooming on the Arboretum trails, too, with abundant fiddlenecks, scorpionweed and bluedicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum, also commonly known as "Papago lily" or "Wild Hyacinth"). During the next two weeks expect you'll see more brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), globemallow and white-flowered four o'clock (Mirabilis bigelovii).

Lost Dutchman State Park, Sunday, March 9th, 2008

Poppies were still in bloom at Lost Dutchman State Park on Sunday. Flowers are nearing peak at this park so visit today.

Oracle State Park, Saturday, March 8th, 2008

On Saturday, this Manzanita was in bloom with white flowers. Some poppies were also blooming at Oracle State Park. Over 20 different species have bloomed so far; most are very small flowers and not in large numbers together: filaree, various mustards, popcorn flower (cryptantha), anemone, wild carrot, wild heliotrope, blue dicks, bajada lupine, and more. We see a lot of greenery indicating the Mariposa Lily is coming, so we're looking forward to more blooms next month.

Picacho Peak State Park, Friday, March 7th, 2008

According to Rangers, the flower season has peaked at Picacho Peak State Park. On Friday, March 7th, Lupine and Brittle Bush (top row) were still blooming. Poppies (bottom left) could be found in washes and were best seen on the Barrett Loop. Brittle Bush, with Saguaros in the background, were photographed during sunset at the Sunset Trail Head (bottom right). This week is most likely the last chance to see wildflowers at this park this season.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Monday, March 3rd, 2008

At Gonzalez Pass, near Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, white Chicory and pink Fairy Duster were blooming on Monday (top row). Poppies framed by Cholla and Saguaro were also in bloom (bottom left). Miner's Lettuce has also appeared (bottom right).

Alamo Lake State Park, Sunday, March 1st, 2008

Yellow Cups (left) and Desert Marigolds (right) were blooming on Sunday at Alamo Lake State Park in western Arizona.

Lost Dutchman State Park, Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Poppies and lupines are blooming at Lost Dutchman State Park, just a short drive east of Phoenix. The weather is perfect for a hike along the trails.

Picacho Peak State Park, Monday, February 25th, 2008

Lost Dutchman State Park, Monday, February 25th, 2008

Poppies are just starting to appear at Lost Dutchman State Park, just a short drive east of Phoenix.

Picacho Peak State Park, Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

A sea of Mexican Gold Poppies cover the desert floor at Picacho Peak State Park. Lupine is also present now, as is purple Scorpion Weed. The trails offer easy access for photographers and flower-lovers to enjoy these magnificent vistas.

Cattail Cove State Park, Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

On the shore of the Colorado River in western Arizona, Cattail Cove State Park had purple Scorpion Weed (Phacelia crenulata) and Yellow Cups (Camissonia Brevipes) in bloom this weekend. Note that purple Scorpion Weed can cause skin irritations, so for your own protection please don't touch or handle it.

Picacho Peak State Park, Monday, February 18th, 2008

Many more flowers are blooming this week. At Picacho Peak State Park, yellow and white Poppies enjoyed a sunny President's Day Holiday.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Sunday, February 17th, 2008

At Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, beautiful purple Goodding's Verbena (left) and the fragrant Kofa Mountain Barberry (Berberis harrisoniana)(right), were in bloom this weekend.

Lost Dutchman State Park, Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

The season is still early so not many wildflowers yet. Check back soon for more Lost Dutchman State Park Ranger Cam photos.

Picacho Peak State Park, Saturday, February 9th, 2008

With the recent rainfall, we expect this year to be a fantastic opportunity to see Arizona wildflowers. Pictured are early Poppies at Picacho Peak State Park.

Press: Read Press Release

Welcome to the Ranger Cam