Every Summer, North Carolina bursts into a colorful sea of yellow with the best sunflower fields. There are many other benefits to growing sunflowers besides the beautiful bloom. They are used to produce oil, bio-diesel, and its seeds are delicious and feed a variety of wildlife.
In this article we are sharing a list of the best sunflower fields in NC to help you plan your next summer adventure. Each sunflower field is different in design and its rules, so make sure to read the rules of each farm before visiting them. Make sure to visit a sunflower fields in North Carolina this summer!
When is the Best Time to Visit Sunflower Fields in NC?
Sunflower harvest season normally starts in late June and it goes until late August. The best time to visit the sunflowers fields in North Carolina is in July as it is peak season, which normally it last about two weeks and it happens between early to mid-July. Make sure to check back after Memorial Day weekend for updates from each farm. North Carolina offers some of the most beautiful flower farms in the US including tulips and lavender.
Things to know before visiting a Sunflower field in NC:
It is very important to know that each sunflower field in NC has its own set of rules and that you should check out their website or Facebook page before visiting them.
- Only visit sunflower fields in NC when they are open.
- Smoking is not allowed in the fields.
- Some of these fields are not pet friendly and the ones that are you must keep your dog on a leash and pick up after them.
- If it is allowed to cut your own sunflowers make sure to bring your own bucket and scissors.
- Do not step on the sunflowers and stay at the designated paths.
- Wear comfortable shoes, bug spray and sunscreen. Maybe even a hat as it can get hot in an open field.
- Bring your own water as temperatures are high in the summer sun.
- Early in the morning or late in the evening are the best times to visit and take photos with the sunflowers.
6 Fun facts about sunflowers in NC
- Sunflowers are native to the United States.
- A sunflower needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sun every single day. They follow the sun. They possess “heliotropism“, which is an ability to track the sun.
- Sunflowers are not just yellow, there are also red, purple, and golden sunflowers.
- There are around 70 different species of Sunflowers.
- If there are no bees, sunflowers can self-pollinate, which creates seeds that produce genetically identical plants.
- Sunflowers can be used as food, for oil, and as dyes.
Map of Sunflower fields in North Carolina
Sunflower fields near Raleigh
There are so many opportunities to see sunflower fields in the Triangle. Here is a list of the best sunflower fields near the Triangle:
Dorothea Dix Park
The sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park are in bloom and expected to be in bloom late June through the beginning of August.
Dorothea Dix Park every year since 2010 is the home of hundreds of sunflowers. They plant five acres full of sunflowers that bloom each year between early and mid-July and last between 2 to 3 weeks. It is without a doubt, one of the most instagrammable spots in Raleigh.
The field also has the goal to create thousands of gallons of biodiesel, which is then processed into fuel to run tractors, trailers and farm equipment. From the park you will also get a fantastic view of Raleigh’s skyline. The sunflower field in Dorothea Dix Park has plenty of free parking so please avoid parking at the DHHS parking areas during business hours. Without a doubt, it is one of the best sunflower field in NC.
To get the perfect shot of the sunflowers facing you with the skyline of downtown Raleigh in the background, go in the morning, as the flowers rotate throughout the day to follow the sun.
Address: Flowers Field at Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: The Sunflower Field is every day (seven days-a-week) from dawn until dusk.
Fees: Free.
Parking: Free. Enter from the Hunt Drive entrance and park in the soccer field parking area. During the weekend park visitors are welcome to use any paved lot.
Photographers: Professional photographers are welcome at the Sunflower Field, however, all commercial film or photography taking place in a City of Raleigh Park requires a permit. You can apply for an annual film permit directly through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. This is a one year permit and covers all City of Raleigh Parks. To apply for the permit, please contact Kathryn Gebhardt with the Raleigh Parks at 919-996-4510 or [email protected].
Picking: No.
Pets: Yes, please clean after them and keep your pet on a leash and from straying into the sunflowers.
Facilities: Port-a-johns are the only restroom available near the Sunflower Field.
Drones: Drones or other aerial devices are welcome from the Big Field only.
North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh
Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
Fees: Free
Parking: Free
Photographers: Need a special permit for professional photo shoots.
Picking: No
Pets: On a leash and pick up after your dog.
Facilities: Yes
Drones: No.
Firefly Farm
Firefly Farm offers “U-pick flowers”, where you can pick up sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, Zinnias, Cosmos. You will also be able to see their horses, miniature donkeys and chickens. Firefly Farm is a sunflower field in North Carolina that you cannot miss.
Address: 4911 Hunt Rd., Hillsborough (Orange County)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/farmfirefly
Hours: Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM, Thursday and Friday 9 AM to 11 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM, and Saturday from 9AM to 5PM.
Fees: $15 per basket. You can buy your ticket at the farm or online. One family can purchase one basket or as many as they wish.
Parking: free parking.
Picking: They will give you a basket to carry flowers and scissors to harvest the flowers.
Pets: Not allowed.
Facilities: Restroom is available at the barn.
Pace Family Farms
The small Pace Family Farms is located in Johnston County and hosts Sunflower days once the flowers are in bloom, which can be expected in the beginning half of July. You are also able to cut your own flowers to take home for $1 per stem.
Website: https://pacefamilyfarms.com
Address: 12701 Buffalo Rd., Clayton (Johnston County)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PaceFamilyFarms2
Hours: TBA.
Parking: Free
Fees: $1 per stem.
Photographers: All portrait photography must be approved and scheduled in advance and pay an additional fee ($150 per two-hour sessions).
Picking: TBD.
Pets: No.
Lazy Hound Farms
Address: 207 Davis Rd, Zebulon, NC 27597
Hours: Friday 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5:30 PM and Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Fees: $5 per person. 2 and under get in for free.
Parking: TBA
Hill Ridge Farms
Hill Ridge Farms is located near Wake Forest and they are offering a Sunflower field as a part of their admission price. They are home of 10 varieties of sunflowers and over 50,000 blooms! Their annual Sunflower Festival offers food trucks, music, and more.
Address: 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hillridgefarms
Hours: Regular hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-5:30pm and Sunday from 1pm-5:30pm. During the Sunflower Festival: Saturday and Sunday 10am-8pm. Wednesday through Friday 10am-8pm.
Fees: $14 per adult during the Sunflower Festival. $12 per adult regular admission.
Parking: Free
Facilities: Porta potty
Picking: 6 stems for $5 and 12 for $10.
Pets: Not allowed.
Phillips farm
Address: 6701 Good Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC 27519
Hours: TBA
Fees: Admission is $3.00 additional, on top of the $12 general admission tickets. The only way to get a ticket to the field is with your general admission ticket as Sunflower Only tickets are not available.
Photographers: Professional photographers are welcome but are required to purchase admission for all attendees of their photoshoot.
Vollmer Farms
Vollmer Farms is home to 5 acres of sunflowers, zinnias, celosia, cosmos, amaranths and gomphrena. You can also buy bouquets at the farm store. The sunflower season is expected to run from mid-June through late August, maybe even September.
Address: 677 NC Hwy 98 E Bunn, NC 27508 (Franklin County)
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thevollmerfarm
Hours: Wednesday to Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday to Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Fees: TBA
Photographers: Photography sessions are available by appointment only. Please email [email protected] for further questions.
Picking: Yes.
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze Sunflower Fields
Ken’s Korny Corn Maze is home to 2.5 acres of sunflower fields in NC.
Address: 3175 Benson Rd, Garner, NC 27529
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/KensKornyCornMaze
Hours: TBA
Fees: $5.00 entry fee for ages 5 and up. The entrance fee includes 1 cut sunflower.
Picking: Any additional sunflower cut will be $1.00 each and the farm is cash only.
Odom Farming Company
In Odom Farming Company you can enjoy a sunflower maze and spend time with the animals. The sunflowers are anticipated to begin blooming in July and last through the first two weeks of August.
Address: 1426 Claridge Nursery Rd, Goldsboro
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OFCInc
Hours: Open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM every day but Monday
Parking: Free
Fees: $5/person, kids 2 and under free. Includes walking through the fields, visiting the animals, playing on the playground, and picking 3 stems.
Parking: Free
Photographers: $30/day, can be scheduled any time. Photographers and clients do not have to pay admission.
Picking: Sunflowers are $1/stem
Pets: Dogs on leashes are allowed.
Facilities: Yes
Sunflowers field near Greensboro and Winston Salem
Dogwoods Farms
Dogwood Farms is located near Greensboro and it is the one of the largest U-Pick sunflower field in North Carolina with over 10 acres of sunflower fields to enjoy. The farm provides its visitors with scissors and a bucket.
Address: 8096 Belews Creek Road, Belews Creek, Forsyth County
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodFarmsBelewsCreek
Hours: July- Early August. TBA
Fees: $5 per 8 and older. 65 and older pay $3. Veterans or active duty with Military ID are free.
Parking: Free
Professional Photographers: $25 per hour. Clients must pay admission.
Picking: $1 per stem for sunflowers. Cosmos and Zenias are $5 for a dozen.
Pets: Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash and you must pick up after them.
Facilities: No.
Kersey Valley
Kersey Valley Sunflower Extravaganza is home of over 350,000 blooms sunflowers covering over 15 acres. You can visit during the day with admission to the Maize Adventure on Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 1615 Kersey Valley Road, Archdale
Hours: Midday, mid-afternoon, or sunset booking times are available daily during the blooming season.
Fees: $19.99 for ages 3 and up (includes 1 stem).
Parking: Free.
Photographers: $150 per hour for professional photographers private sessions and $50 for professional photographers.
Picking: Blooming in mid-August to mid-September yearly. Bring your own clippers or purchase a set from us to pick your favorite sunflowers. Each sunflower stem is $3.
Pets: On a leash only.
Facilities: Restrooms available.
Dewberry Farm
Home of tulips in the Spring, sunflowers in the summer and pumpkins in the Fall there is always a fun reason to visit Dewberry Farm no matter the time of the year. This farm opens its outdoor venue for weddings and special events. The farm is only open to the public when they offer the U-Pick events. It is one of the best sunflower fields in NC near Greensboro and Winston Salem.
Address: 2585 Dewberry Farm Lane, Kernersville
Hours: TBA.
Fees: $5 per adult, $3 for 13-3 years old. Tickets must be purchased online.
Parking: Free
Photographers: $25 fee
Picking: Yes! $1.50 per sunflower, $0.50 per zinnia
Pets: No
Millstone Creek Orchards
Millstone Creek Orchards offers U-pick sunflowers along with just an amazing view of the sunflower fields, with a range of varieties including red, golden, yellow sunflowers. The sunflowers are expected to bloom starting in August.
Address: 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC 27316
Hours: TBA
Fees: TBA
Sunflower fields near Charlotte
Waxhaw Sunflower Fields
Waxhaw Sunflower Fields is located off Highway 16, where local farmers have planted over seven acres of sunflowers to help bring happiness to their community. These have traditionally bloomed in August. It is the only sunflower field near Charlotte.
Address: Corner of Providence Road and Ennis Road, Waxhaw
Draper Wildlife Management Public Dove Field, York County
Draper Wildlife Management Public Dove Field have 806 acres managed mostly for small game hunting, hiking, biking, fishing and bird watching.
Address: 1080 Draper Road, McConnells, SC, 29726
Picking: No
Bush-N-Vine, York, SC
Bush-N-Vine normally offers a beautiful field covered in sunflowers, which bloom in August.
Address: 1650 Filbert Hwy, York, SC 29745
Hours: TBA
Photographer: You must purchase a day permit for $50 or a $300 for the whole year.
Sunflower fields near Asheville
Lady Luck Gardens
Lady Luck Gardens is located outside Asheville. The farm offers U-Pick Days in the late Summer. Lady Lucky is home to sunflowers and many other wildflowers.
Address: 55 Lanzi Ledge Road, Leicester
Hours: TBA
Fees: TBA
Biltmore Estate
The sunflowers are a part of Biltmore’s Wildlife Management Program. You can visit the house or just the gardens. For the gardens you will have access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, which includes 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens and 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails. It also gives you access to Antler Hill Village & Winery and a complimentary wine tastings at the Winery. In the Summer they offer one of the best sunflower fields in NC.
Address: 2585 Dewberry Farm Lane, Kernersville
Hours: TBA
Fees: $55 Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
Parking: Free
Picking: No
Pets: No