Remember: As with any crop, these sunflower fields near DC can't predict with certainty when exactly the sunflowers will be available. So, be sure to call them or check their websites before visiting.


Bask in a sea of sunflowers at Butler's Orchard.

Best Sunflower Fields Near DC

1. Butler's Orchard — Germantown, MD

This working farm's Sunflower Spectacular Festival typically runs for a few days in early September. Located about an hour outside DC, Butler's Orchard features two football-sized fields of sunflowers to stroll through and pick. There are props set up along the way that provide plenty of great photo ops. Be sure to visit the Farm Park to see farm animals, play on the playground, and slide down giant slides. Admission is around $10 per person online and slightly higher at the gate.

2. Summers Farm — Frederick, MD

Take a wagon ride out to the sunflower fields at this working farm to choose from more than 35 varieties and colors of sunflowers. The Sunflower Festival takes place over four weekends from mid-August through mid-September. Admission is around $20 per person and includes one free sunflower bloom, but you can purchase additional blooms starting at $3 per flower. You can also see farm animals and enjoy fun activities including a corn maze, farmer golf, and tetherball. Summers Farm is located about 75 minutes from DC.

3. Goldpetal Farms — Chaptico, MD

The aptly named Goldpetal Farms is home to three sunflower mazes and pick-your-own sunflower fields that are typically open mid-June through mid-August. Families can also pick zinnias starting in July. Kids age 6 and younger get free admission to the farm, which is located about 90 minutes from DC. Admission for everyone else is $15 and includes painting stations, corn hole, and other games. Pick-your-own sunflowers cost $1 per stem and $5 for six stems. Bring a bucket and water so you can safely transport your flowers home.

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Cut more than 30 varieties of sunflowers at Burnside Farms. Photo courtesy of Burnside Farms

4. Burnside Farms — Nokesville, VA

This farm just 40 miles west of DC hosts a Summer of Sunflowers event that runs for three weeks in July. Families can cut more than 30 varieties of sunflowers from over 70 acres. There are also three sunflower mazes, with at least one maze in bloom for each week of the event. Admission includes access to the farm's huge jump pad, bubble stations, kids clubhouse play area, and more. You can also visit the farm from 4pm to dusk for Sunflower Sunsets, when you can watch the sun set over a sea of sunflowers (a gorgeous sight).

5. Rocky Point Creamery — Tuscarora, MD

Can it get any better than sunflowers and ice cream? This creamery about 75 minutes from DC has 120 flavors of homemade ice cream to choose from, as well as milk, brown eggs, cheese, and beef. When you finish your ice cream, you can cut your own flowers from Rocky Point's two-acre sunflower field for $1 each. All of the proceeds go directly to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The sunflowers bloom for about two weeks in August.

6. Mary's Land Farm — Ellicott City, MD

This farm's six-acre sunflower field features over a dozen varieties of sunflowers in several shades and colors, ranging from two feet tall to over 12 feet tall. During its Sunflower Market, lasting the entire month of August, families can walk through the fields, take photos, and pick their own sunflowers. On weekends, enjoy food trucks, local vendors, live music, and animal-feeding opportunities. Admission starts at $11 for kids ages 3-10 and includes one flower.

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Get lost in the gorgeous sunflower fields at Great Country Farms. Photo by Kathy Hunt for Great Country Farms

7. Great Country Farms — Bluemont, VA

Visit Great Country Farms on any day in July for its Summer of Sunflowers event, when you can pick your own sunflowers for $1 per stem and take gorgeous family photos in the sunflower fields. Enter the farm's sunflower photo contest to win free admission for the rest of the year. Kids can also enjoy the farm's 12-acre play area, which includes slides, jumping pillows, climbing structures, a ninja obstacle course, live animals, and more. Admission costs $12 and under per person.

8. The Sunflower Garden — Westminster, MD

Families can pick more than just sunflowers at this pick-your-own flower farm. The farm grows about 30 types of wildflowers that visitors can cut and bring home from early July through late September. Its three gardens are also the perfect spots for family photos.