We’re entering a special part of summertime: sunflower season! Sunflowers are blooming and popping up as we cross the threshold into the second half of summer. Thankfully, you can enjoy this time by visiting an entire field of sensational sunflowers only 45 minutes away from D.C., in Poolesville, Maryland at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area.
Unlike various other places in the D.C. area where people can come to cut and bring home their own sunflowers, the flowers at McKee-Beshers are meant to be adored but left untouched for a larger purpose!
Planted each spring so that they flourish into a stunning sea of gold each summer, these magnificent sunflowers act as a food source the park’s wildlife, as well as pollinators like bees and butterflies, so picking or taking the sunflowers is prohibited. These 50 acres of blooming sunflowers spread across four flourishing fields, making a home for a variety of critters, such as mounting doves, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, songbirds, and waterfowl.
Though visitors can’t take home any sunflowers with them, they are welcome to “visit, admire and photograph the sunflowers in bloom.” The McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area even has a cool, helpful tool where you can see the blooming status of the sunflowers so you can plan your visit accordingly!
(Helpful hint: don’t wait too long! The sunflowers only last until early-to-mid August!)
McKee-Beshers is open all daytime and is free to enter (dogs are welcome but must be on-leash!). Just keep an eye out: the fields can also contain poison ivy and unwelcome inhabitants like ticks and mosquitos, so visitors are highly encouraged to wear long pants, socks, and closed shoes to stay protected!
For more information about the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, please visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.