In the spring, the desert around Las Vegas can erupt with a riot of colors and forms during the wildflower bloom. Every spring brings at least a few flowers, but in a good year, the desert can be carpeted with flowers. Good and bad years depend on rain, and the best flowers occur during years when there was several inches of rain during the preceding fall. It is always worth getting outdoors during March and April to take a look, but in years when there was good rain during October and November, don't miss it.

The bloom starts at the lowest elevations because that is where it warms up first, then moves up in elevation as the season progresses and daily high temperatures creep up. The best places to look for desert wildflowers around Las Vegas, listed more-or-less by timing (elevation), are Death Valley National Park where the bloom starts below sea level, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mojave National Preserve, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and the Desert National Wildlife Range. If you can't get to these places, get out and look for spring flowers in open fields, city parks, or even urban neighborhoods.

Listed here are species to see in the desert around Las Vegas. These species include ephemeral plants, true annual wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and flowering trees. Click the heading to sort the columns, and click the links for more photos and details about each species.

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate. Thumbs. Names generally follow the USDA database.
; Last updated 240725