| Wildflower Destinations > Central Washington |
Basalt Gardens/Wanapum Dunes
Grant County, Washington
Bureau of Reclamation
Fees: none
Activity: hiking
Elevation: 815'-990'
Current status (as of 11/17/24): not blooming
Notes: This funky little patch of public land, known variously as "Basalt Gardens" or "Wanapum Dunes," is an interesting mix of sand dunes and columnar basalt. It has no signage or formal trails, but there are lots of boot paths and game trails to explore. (The map on this page is only there to give you an idea of the extent of the Bureau of Reclamation land; walk wherever you want.)
Peak wildflower bloom at Basalt Gardens/Wanapum Dunes is typically from late March through April into late May, but there may be some flowers blooming from early March until early June.*
Typical year: 
Featured plants: Abronia mellifera, Oreocarya leucophaea, Eremogone franklinii
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* The dates given on this Web site for each location's blooming season are only estimates and can vary from year to year. Weather conditions in the winter and spring can shift these dates by up to a month, especially in the mountains. For the latest updates, check the Oregon Wildflowers or PortlandHikers Facebook groups, or browse the most recent postings to iNaturalist or Instagram.
