The Best Places to see Sunflower Fields in Maryland and Northern Virginia (updated and expanded for 2022!)
The Best Places to see Sunflower Fields in Maryland and Northern Virginia
These are the best (and happiest) places to see sunflower fields in Maryland and Northern Virginia! (updated and expanded for 2022 to include some spots in Southern PA as well!)
Ahhhh, sunflowers.
There is something about sunflowers that just makes you smile, right? Maybe it is their bright, happy yellow-orange faces preening in the sunshine. Maybe it’s the fat bumble bees getting drunk on the nectar.
Perhaps it is because sunflowers represent the transition from the sunny, lazy days of summer to the crisp, mellow harvest time of the year. Regardless, sunflowers are just so happy.
Of course, it is always helpful to know where and when to see sunflowers at peak bloom. I have researched this topic thoroughly and below are your best bets for enjoying these glorious yellow smiley faces this year! These are the best sunflower fields in Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Related: Check out the Kid Friendly Maryland comprehensive resource for parents: Things To Do In Maryland With Kids!
Sunflower Fields in Maryland just make you happy!
1. McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area
These sunflowers are planted in multiple fields and cover an area of over 40 acres. The sunflower fields are primarily planted to attract birds (especially mourning doves) for hunting purposes, but apparently there is no danger from hunters during peak bloom. Here are some more details:
- For 2022: It seems like the 2022 sunflower peak bloom will be mid-late late July. You can check out the website to see recent photos of the field. Peak bloom in is typically projected to be early to mid-July. Based on bloom reports from previous years, your best bet to see sunflowers in peak bloom would be the week after the 4th of July.
- You are not allowed to pick these sunflowers since this is a nature preserve. Also, in years past apparently there have been issues with the sunflower being trampled. So, please just be respectful of the wildlife when you visit!
Address and Directions
- The address/directions for the fields is: Sycamore Landing Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. This isn’t exactly an address you can plug into GPS, so here are better directions:
- (copied from the website) “From the Capital Beltway, take Exit 39 (River Road) west toward Potomac. Proceed for approximately 11 miles to the intersection of River Road and MD 112, Seneca Road. Turn left and continue on River Road for about 2 1/2 miles. McKee-Beshers will be on your left as you head west on River Road.”
- New for 2021! They actually provide the exact GPS coordinates for their sunflower fields! Check them out here:
- #1: 39.075688, -77.402296
- #2: 39.079172, -77.388253
- #3: 39.075627, -77.380313
- #4: 39.075504, -77.422652​
- There are multiple sunflower fields, so if the field you see isn’t in full bloom yet, drive down River Road towards DC. One of the other fields could be in full bloom already.
- A few warnings:
- There are lots of bees. As in, lots of bees. The good news is that they are the lazy, happy bumble bees that are really only concerned with the sunflowers. The bad news is there are lots of bees.
- Bring insect repellent. This is the great outdoors, which means great potential for lots of mosquitoes too.
- If it has been raining, the fields will likely be wet.
- Many photographers bring a step-stool because some of the sunflowers stand 6′ tall!
- I have read a few reviews and most photographers say sunrise or late afternoon/early evening are the best times to photograph the sunflowers.
2. Gold Petal Farms- The Best Sunflower Mazes in Southern Maryland
This is a newer addition to the best sunflower fields in Maryland list.. and why? Because who would have thought that Southern Maryland would be home to the most amazing (see the pun there) Sunflower Mazes in Maryland? Not only that? They actually hold two distinct sunflower mazes! One in late June and another in late summer/early fall!
We visited a few years ago and I was super impressed. You can pick the easy maze (which I did because it was topping 100 degrees outside and my 5 year old was not happy about that) or a more challenging maze.
Just like with corn mazes in the fall, the farmers at Gold Petal Farms take great care to choose the coolest designs. In 2021 the design for their first sunflower maze design is none other than Bob Ross. Love that theme and I can’t wait to see what the 2022 theme will be!
Don’t worry about the bees or the sun too much. You can apply bug spray in the barn before heading out and there is a shaded seating area halfway through the maze. Still– bring plenty of water, wear hats, and apply that sunscreen.
After you finish enjoy a snack in the shade and play a game of corn hole. This is great family fun and totally worth the drive from other parts of Maryland.
- The two sunflower mazes are staggered in order to extend the sunflower happiness over more of the summer. The first maze opens in late June and the second maze typically opens about a month later.
- The 1st Chaptico Maze opened June 22nd, 2022 and will be open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-830pm.
- Location: TBD
- The Chaptico Maze (when open) will run the same days and times.
- Location: 37260 Manor Road, Chaptico, MD 20621
NOTE: the bridge is out on Maddox Rd. YOU MUST enter Manor Rd. from Hurry Rd. - The Maze is free for kids age 6 and below and $15 for adults and kids 7 and over. There are discounts for military families and groups.
- You can also pick your own sunflowers! They are $1 a stem plus admission cost.
- Here is the Goldpetal Farm website and Facebook page.
3. Maryland Agricultural Resource Council
The Maryland Agricultural Resource Council (MARC) in Cockeysville, MD started planting sunflower fields a few years ago, and they celebrate the occasion with lovely pick your own fields. Here is what you need to know if you decide to go:
- Peak bloom is typically late August through late September; but this timing varies based on weather patterns and when the sunflowers are planted.
- The pick your own cost is $1 per stem and $10 for a dozen stems. Payment is on the honor system.
- Fresh cut sunflowers will be available for purchase.
- If you forget your shears, you can pick up a pair in the MARC office. You should bring your own bucket and water for cut sunflower stems though.
- The address for MARC is: 1114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
- Here is the Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/jRUXhBvwrGw
- Bees. Be careful of the bees.
4. The Sunflower Garden
The Sunflower Garden in Westminster, MD is just about the perfect place for picking your dose of happy, as well as awesome photo opportunities. Here are some of the reasons why folks love visiting year after year:
- At peak bloom sunflowers line both sides of the long driveway to the gardens. Peak bloom is typically the late August. However, the gardens open for picking in early July and picking season lasts until mid-September (as long as there are flowers to pick!).
- A bunch of sunflowers will set you back $12, which apparently is the same price as it was 18 years ago when the Sunflower Garden opened its fields for picking.
- The owners have a reputation for being the nicest people around. They are very helpful and find cute photo props to enhance your sunflower photo taking experience.
- You can feed chickens, pet the bunny rabbit, and buy fresh veggies from the veggie stand while you are there.
- The Sunflower Garden is located at: 2390 Manchester Rd, Westminster, MD 21157
- Here is the Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/3HGH6qKfAbk
5. Rocky Point Creamery
Yep, you read that right. Sunflowers and ice cream. I think I might just die and go to heaven with that combination! Every July and August, the Rocky Point Creamery, located just outside Frederick, MD, hosts a pick-your-own sunflower field, with all the proceeds from the sunflower sales going to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. How cool is that?
If you want to pick your happy and make your mouth happy too, check out these details:
- Based on last year’s photos, peak bloom runs from the last week of July through mid-August.
- I didn’t see information on the website for how much it will set you back to pick sunflowers, but after a little digging I discovered a price quote of $1 per stem. This information is a little dated, but I can’t imagine it has changed much.
- Um, did I mention that the sunflowers are not the star of the show? Nope– you better plan on stopping for some of that ice cream! Rocky Point Creamery is part of the Maryland Ice Cream Trail. So, you know this is the good stuff.
- I am not sure if they are out all season, but apparently you can visit the Holstein cows, whose milk is used to make the ice cream. Talk about farm to table (or whatever that is called).
- Here is their address: 4323A Tuscarora Road; Tuscarora, MD 21790
- Here is the Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/THntXDCqpsv
- They are open from 1130AM-830PM every day except Mondays. They are closed on Mondays.
6. Burnside Farms
The one Virginia-based sunflower field on this list is completely amazing. Burnside Farms really knows how to do pick-your-own flowers. In the spring, they are famous for their tulips and daffodils. However, come mid-July, Burnside Farms transforms into one of the most happy places in the region.
Their Summer of Sunflowers is a fantastic place to pick up some sunflowers, and take amazing photos. Also, in 2018 Burnside Farms added a sunflower maze.. because, you know… picking sunflowers wasn’t awesome enough! (side note: I am totally in love with the entire concept of a sunflower maze. Just sayin’!)
We visited last year and you can read my in-depth review of their sunflower fields by clicking here (or on the photo below).
Note: The sunflower field address changes every year so visit their website or Facebook page for the most up to date address.
7. Broom’s Bloom Dairy
Wait a second. What?! There are multiple creameries in Maryland that also feature a sunflower field? Oh my– I have died and gone to heaven!
Broom’s Bloom Creamery is no joke. Located in Harford County, their ice cream was rated as the 5th best in the nation (!!!) by Trip Advisor. They are also consistently rated as the top ice cream shoppe in Harford County.
Sunflowers and ice cream!
They also happen to have sunflowers. Eep!
Apparently, the owner planted this sunflower field for his wife.. because she likes sunflowers. Sooooo romantic!
I have not visited this sunflower field yet but based on past years, it seems that late August to early September are the best times to go see sunflowers (and eat ice cream!).
Broom’s Bloom is always closed on Mondays. Their address is: 1700 South Fountain Green Road in Bel Air, Maryland.
Check their Facebook page for the latest details on when the sunflowers are in peak bloom. Here is a link to their website: http://www.bbdairy.com/ and google map directions to their Bel Air location. https://goo.gl/maps/7CN1iyr17Uy
8. Misty Meadows Creamery
One more contender in the ice cream and sunflowers category (yes, there are three of them!) is Misty Meadow Farm Creamery in Smithburg, MD. This creamery is just on the other side of the Pennsylvania border and in addition to great ice cream (it’s on the ice cream trail), they offer plenty of fun activities for kids like animal close-ups and a play area.
They also have a sunflower field. Yippee!
We stumbled upon this lovely sunflower field last July. It was just getting started with peak bloom and it was a perfect combination– sunflowers and ice cream. Summer perfection!
Here is a link to their website: http://www.mistymeadowsfarmcreamery.com/
And Google Map directions to the creamery! https://goo.gl/maps/Ww8M54EszJs
9. Emily’s Produce
This fantastic family run farm in Cambridge, MD has a lot to offer from pick your own fruit and flowers to grass fed beef. In the late summer/early fall they also have pick your own sunflower fields and (I think) a small sunflower maze. How fun is that?
Here is the website for Emily’s Produce for more information.
10. Clear Meadow Farms
This sunflower field may be one of the nicest in the area. Clear Meadow Farms in Jarrettsville, MD (odd years) and Monkton, MD (even years) is easily accessible from the road, and perfect for gorgeous photos of endless sunflower fields. This is not a pick-your-own field. Sunflowers will eventually be harvested for their seeds. However, there are two things that make this sunflower field unique:
Details for when the sunflower fields are in bloom:
- Peak bloom is much later than the other sunflower fields in Maryland and Virginia, usually at the beginning to mid-September.
- These sunflowers are much shorter than some of the other varieties you will encounter (most notably at McKee Beshers WMA). The nice thing about that is you can easily get great photos with your kids.
- Pre-COVID, the sunflower fields rotated every other year. Both sunflower field locations are amazingly gorgeous, but the location on even years is completely iconic (the fields are larger). It is possible post-COVID they will only use the one location.. stay tuned!
- In even years (starting in 2016) Verdant Valley Farm, located adjacent to the Clear Meadow Farm sunflower fields, is the location for the Maryland Sunflower Festival. This festival had their first event in 2016 and will likely hold the festival again in 2018. The farm itself does not run the festival (and fun fact, this is a cannabis farm. ha!).
- Here is the Google Map link to the even year fields: https://goo.gl/maps/dvDWtfUcyKG2
If you would like to read my in-depth review of Clear Meadow Farms, along with a surprising sweet side trip idea, click here (or click on the photo below).
11. Valley View Acres
This fantastic farm in Middletown, MD devotes 5 acres of their farm to a fantastic sunflower field! They also plant wildflowers and visitors can pick flowers to take home! In 2019 they held their first sunflower festival and they plan to carry the tradition on for 2020 and 2021 as well.
For 2021 they expect sunflowers will be in peak bloom around mid-July. You can check out their Facebook page for latest updates. Here is a link to the Google map directions.
12. Butler’s Orchard
Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, MD a fantastic destination for many, many reasons. We always love to visit for their Pumpkin Festival in the fall and Bunnyland in the Spring.
They are an orchard and working farm though, and in addition to tons of pick your own opportunities, Butler’s Orchard also has a lovely sunflower field. The sunflowers are planted a little later than some of the other fields around, so the flowers are in peak bloom in mid to late August. They have pick your own sunflowers through the fall season. So, you could literally enjoy pumpkin picking and sunflower fields at the same time!
Click here for directions to Butler’s Orchard.
13. Kilby Cream
Another fantastic stop on the Maryland Ice Cream Trail, Kilby Cream in Rising Sun, MD has loads of ways to attract visitors. Clearly, their ice cream is amazing. But they also have a lovely little sunflower field that bloom in mid-to-late July as well!
Check their Facebook page for the most update information.
14. Lockbriar Farms
Located in Chestertown, MD, Lockbriar Farms offers everything you could possibly want from a family friendly farm. Their specialties are pick your own fruits and veggies, and an amazing ice cream barn. However, don’t forget to check out their pick our own sunflowers in late summer/early fall as well!
Check out these newer sunflower fields in Maryland!
15. Gaver Farm
Gaver Farm in Mount Airy, MD puts on an amazing fall festival, pick your own apple orchard, and pumpkin patch! In recent years they have also added an amazing sunflower picking experience! It’s free to ride out to the fields and sunflowers cost $2/bloom.
Plus they have a ton of fun photo props!
16. Clark’s Eliok Farm Sunflowers
We love Clark’s Elioak Farm for so many reasons. Now that they have added a lovely sunflower field, there are even more reasons to go with your kids! Here are the details: Their event is called ‘September Sunflowers Enchanted Hours’ and will run from late August through mid-September. During this time, the farm will be open until 7pm (nice!). So, pack a picnic and come out to see their lovely sunflowers (and get some photos of the Enchanted Forest too!).
17. Sunflowers of Lisbon:
The Sunflowers of Lisbon actually has two separate events at different locations! The Woodbine Sunflower Festival will take place from July 15-31! They will be open 9am-8pm Friday through Sunday and 11am-8pm Monday through Thursday. This Sunfire Festival will have live music, craft vendors and BBQ food truck on the weekends. Ticket prices are $15 per person. With each ticket you are allowed to cut 4 flowers to take home and unlimited hayrides and access to the kids play area!
Then later on August 6th-31st they will open another sunflower field in the Maple Lawn area. Nice!
18. Farm Heritage Conservancy Sunflower September
A great location for fall sunflowers in Southern Maryland. Their September Sunflowers kick off Labor Day weekend with a fun Sunflower Festival and then they will have the sunflower fields open (but no festival). Sounds perfect to me!
19. Clarksville Sunflower Market at Mary’s Land Farm!
This fantastic Sunflower Festival is held at Mary’s Land Farm in Ellicott City. The dates for the 2022 festival are August 6-7, 13-14, and 27-28. For the weekend festival dates, there will be a wagon ride to and from your car, one pick-your-own sunflower, food trucks, live music, animal encounters, and more!
You can also opt for a weekday visit which includes unlimited walking in the sunflower field, taking photos, and one free pick-your-own sunflower in a bag with water. Bathrooms and farm store are open.
20. The Millers Farm
The Millers Farm in White Hall, MD offers a famous sunflower field and picking experience! These sunflowers typically bloom later in the season.. in 2021, they were open in October! When the sunflowers are in bloom they offer hayrides, live music, sno-balls, food and beer trucks, and more!
21. Summers Farm 3rd Annual Sunflower Festival:
This amazing Fall Festival location is started a Sunflower Festival two years ago and it was awesome! Most (not all.. but most) of their fall festival attractions are open, but instead of picking pumpkins you can take the tractor ride out to the sunflower fields and pick all sorts of gorgeous sunflowers! AND new for 2022, Summers Farm is at a new location in Middletown!
Fantastic Sunflower Fields in Southern PA!
22. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Yep! The awesome and amazing Cherry Crest Adventure Farm (read my in-depth review here) now offers sunflower fields and sunflower picking!
Handpick your own sunflowers in their 6 acre sunflower field. They plant over 20 varieties of sunflowers so you are sure to find the perfect bloom. Sold by the stem or bucket full. Flower fields are open Aug 20 – Oct 29
23. Maple Lawn Farms and the Pennsylvania Sunflower Festival
Not to be confused with the Maryland Maple Lawn Farms, this farm in PA is located just 10-15 minutes over the border into Pennsylvania. This is the same location as the Maize Quest Corn Maze.
From the website: “Each ticket includes a wagon ride to the field of sunflowers. Guests spend as much time taking pictures, exploring around the field, and reading informational signs as they like. Each ticket includes one ‘bloom’ or LIVE cut sunflower. Parking is FREE.”
This sunflower festival also offers lots of treats like ice cream, donuts, fudge, pies, and more! The Maple Lawn Winery will also be open and there will be food trucks and live music!
2022 Sunflower Festival weekends will be August 5-7, 12-14, and 19-21!
24. Country Barn Sunflower Festival
This fantastic Sunflower Festival is in Lancaster, PA and is typically held weekends in August plus Labor Day weekend. Admission to the festival includes wagon rides, one cut your own sunflower stem (more available for purchase), live music, a corn maze, loads of animals, pedal carts, pig races, slides, and more!
Regular Admission (ages 3-64): $13
Barnyard Combo Admission: $15 (includes Regular Admission PLUS train ride)
25. Lesher Poultry Farm’s Sunflower Field
This amazing sunflower field in Chambersburg, PA is just absolutely amazing! It is quite possibly the largest sunflower field in the region. The location varies every year because the farm practices crop rotation.
These sunflowers are at peak bloom typically late August through early September. Here is the other cool detail– once the flower fields are in peak bloom, they are FREE to see! If you want to pick sunflowers, the farm charges $1/stem.
Click here for their Sunflower Watch and announcement for the location!
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