Photo of a couple in a poppy field at Wildflower Lookout in Lancaster County, PA
Summer Wildflower Locations in Lancaster, PA
If you love color, whimsy and romance and are a flower child at heart, a summer photo session in the wildflowers might be the perfect fit for you. The locations below range from public parks to paid wildflower fields to pick-your-own flower farms that allow photo sessions.
Timing is key! Wildflowers bloom June-September but as you can imagine, different flowers bloom at different times.
A few things to keep in mind:
Summer sunsets are late (close to 8:45 p.m. on summer solstice!) and most wildflower fields are out in the wide open sun with no shade so for best light, you’ll need to start your photo session somewhere between 6:30-7:45 p.m.
There will be insects: Lots of flowers also means happy pollinators buzzing about so if you or your kids are afraid of bees or allergic to bees, you might want to choose a wildflower location that has designated paths or areas where you aren’t completely immersed in wildflowers. Ticks are also an issue in long grasses and something to be mindful about. I always recommend a tick check after your photo session and repellent if you desire.
Props: I think a good throw blanket is a great prop for a wildflower session. It allows you to get low in the flowers and take photos from multiple perspectives. Set up a little picnic, read a story to your kids, or take turns blowing bubbles are some of my favorite activities.
Wildflower Lookout
Wildflower Lookout is my top recommendation for guaranteed wildflowers that last all summer long (end of May through August). This field is carefully planned and maintained up on a hill in eastern Lancaster County. There is a per person fee to enter the field, paid in cash upon arrival OR you can pay to rent a private field in advance. There are mowed walkways between the flowers. My favorite time to go to Wildflower Lookout is in June when the poppies and daisies are blooming, but near the end of summer the sunflowers and cosmos are beautiful too. This location is popular and does get very crowded on summer evenings. I would not recommend doing a large family group photo there unless you rent a private field. You can view more information on their website here.
A mother and father hold their daughter in a sunflower field at Wildflower Lookout in Lancaster County, PA
A family of four walks through a field of purple wildflowers at Wildflower Lookout.
Longs Park
Longs Park has recently added a wetlands area with wooden walkways going over ponds and has sloped hills of wildflowers on either side. It can be tricky to work the angles but it can be done with the right eye. The best time for these flowers is June.
A family stands in a field of yellow wildflowers at Longs Park in Lancaster, PA
A variety of blue, yellow and orange wildflowers grow alongside the wetlands area at Longs Park in Lancaster, PA
Overlook Park
Overlook Park has a very small patch of native wildflowers that blooms nicely during July. Colors are mostly yellow, purple and white. This location works beautifully for small family groups and couples or senior portraits.
A family plays in the wildflower patch at Overlook Park in Lancaster, PA
Oregon Dairy Sunflower Patch
Almost every year in August, Oregon Dairy has a sunflower patch where you can take photos for a fee as well as pick-your-own sunflowers.
A couple plays with their daughter in a sunflower patch at Oregon Dairy in Lancaster, PA.
Buchanan Park
Not exactly wildflowers, but if you like roses, Buchanan Park has a beautifully maintained rose garden that blooms all throughout summer into September; however the best time to go in my opinion is June.
A mother and son stand in a rose garden in Buchanan Park in Lancaster, PA
Greenfield Park Wildflower Trail
Another newer location for colorful yellow wildflowers is found along the paved bike trail near Greenfield Park. If you want to find parking, just Google “Greater Lancaster Heritage Parkway” and you’ll find it. These yellow flowers bloom in June and are mostly done by July so their window is pretty short.
A family stands in a yellow wildflower field near Greenfield Park in Lancaster, PA
A boy walks along a paved biking and walking trail near Greenfield Park in Lancaster, PA
Marietta Rail Trail Wildflower Field
A 20 minute drive from Lancaster City is the Marietta Rail Trail that goes through Columbia along the Susquehanna River. Here you will find a field of yellow wildflowers growing quite tall (over 6 ft) in July and beyond along with purple coneflower and some other wildflower varieties. To find this particular spot, I recommend putting Musselman Vesta Furnace into your GPS.
A family walks through a yellow wildflower field in Marietta, PA
Samuel Lewis State Park
This location is actually in York but it’s also another beautiful option for wildflowers during the summer months. If you take a drive around the park you are sure to see several fields of wildflowers. As a bonus, this location has some really large boulders in the forest that make for some neat backdrops.
A family stands in a wildflower field at Samuel Lewis State Park in York, PA
Pick-Your-Own Flower Locations
If you’re looking for a colorful spot to take photos that has pick-your-own flowers, here are a list of places to check out along with links to their website. Not all of them are in Lancaster County, but all are within a 30-40 minute radius. All of these locations charge a fee to take photographs.
Royal Oaks Farm (located in Lebanon)
Flinchbaugh’s Orchard (located in York area)
Melissa Engle Photography offers portrait, family, maternity, newborn and lifestyle photography in Lancaster, PA and beyond. Please contact me if you would like to make some photo magic together!
