Guide to the Dix Park Sunflowers in Raleigh

One of our favorite summertime events in Raleigh is the sunflower field being in bloom at Dorothea Dix Park. As of right now (July 11, 2026) the dial has been turned up on the summer heat and for approximately the next two weeks, the sunflowers are standing to attention.

Dorothea Dix is the most famous place to see sunflowers in Raleigh, and over 100,000 people visit this park every year to see them in bloom. Since 2010, Dix Park has been planting over 100,000 sunflower seeds in a five-acre patch, and they are estimated to bloom in early to mid-July. They are likely stay in bloom for approximately two weeks, so make sure you don’t miss out and put this on your summer in Raleigh bucket list. Every year they change the variety and quantity, but you can always expect it to be the biggest sunflower field in the Triangle!

I don’t think there are more beautiful flowers in the world than the sunflower and I love how they intentionally face the sun and remind us of a Maori proverb, “Turn your face to the sun, and shadows follow behind you.”. Down below we are sharing all the key details for visiting, including driving directions and parking!

Key Details

• The Sunflower Field is FREE to visit.
• Dix Park is open 7 days a week, from dawn until dusk.
• Peak Bloom: mid-to late July
• Address: 1700 Umstead Drive, Raleigh

Directions & Parking

Driving

• Enter Dix Park via Western Boulevard at Hunt Drive
• Enter Dix Park via Centennial Parkway at Blair Drive

Parking

• Parking Lot A and Flowers Field Lot are the best options. See the official parking map here.
• ADA/accessible parking area is near the Magnolia Room at 1700 Umstead Dr. All paved parking lots have ADA parking spaces.

Biking or Walking

• Via Rocky Branch Greenway: Enter at Hunt Drive.
• Via Centennial Bikeway Connector: Enter at Blair Drive.

Know Before You Go

• Please stay on the paths in the field so as not to trample the flowers.
• No picking or cutting of the flowers
• No eating the sunflower seeds – the sunflowers are planted on a former landfill
• Indoor restrooms are available at The Stone Houses seven days a week from 8am-8pm and at Gipson Play Plaza. Temporary restrooms are located at the Magnolia Room. Port-a-johns are also available near the sunflower field.
• ADA temporary restrooms are located at the Magnolia Room.
• Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome. Keep pets on pathways and picked up after them.
• Accessible pathways will lead from parking located at 1700 Umstead Dr. into the picnic area and sunflower field.
• Professional photographers are welcome to have photo shoots/sessions with clients at the Dix Park Sunflower Field, however, a commercial photography permit is required for City of Raleigh Parks.
• Drones are NOT allowed at the Sunflower Field. Drones are welcome on the Big Field only at Dix Park. NOTE: my footage was shot using an Insta 360 camera on a 10″ extension pole! See Raleigh Parks Drone Policy & Guidelines
• No outside alcoholic beverages
• No smoking or vaping
• No weapons of any kind

Best Time to Visit the Sunflowers

The Dorothea Dix Sunflower fields have ample space for you to spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy the sunflowers at sunrise or sunset. Because it is summer and HOT, the best times to visit are early in the morning or late in the afternoon/early evening. These times are also best for photography; you don’t want to be taking photos in the harsh overhead sun in the middle of the day. Lighting is key for great photos and video!

In the morning, the sun rises up over the downtown skyline and the sun shines on the sunflowers beautifully as they face downtown. But if you want downtown shots you’ll be looking into the sun! Afternoon/sunset is a nice time to see the sunflowers as the sun will be shining on the fields and towards the Raleigh skyline behind them. Either time is great, depending upon your preference. I have been at the field at 7am and for sunrise which is peaceful and basically had it all to myself. Go early!

Pathways

There are walking paths between the sunflowers. PLEASE stick to the paths and protect and preserve the sunflowers! Do not pick them either. If it’s been raining it can get slippery and muddy so wear appropriate shoes. And there are signs up on the perimeter of the field offering sunflower facts as well as how this initiative is helping the environment and promoting sustainability. You’ll see its beneficial pollinator services immediately with the presences of hundreds of bees and the odd butterfly (the bees won’t harm you but be careful).

Hammock Forest

What’s more is Dorothea Dix don’t just have a Sunflower field to wander through, they also have a cool hammock area set up in the pine forest on the edge of the sunflower field. Scores of hammocks are strung between the trees for you to swing in. You’ll love this touch of serenity in the shade as it does get hot here. You’ll find hammock groves in between Flowers Field and Sunflower Field, in the Grove section of the park, and the Big Field’s pine forest. 

What to Bring

• Outdoor essentials like sunscreen, hats, bug spray & closed-toe shoes
• Water bottle to stay hydrated
• A picnic to enjoy
• See the Food truck calendar for times and days.

About the Dorothea Dix Park Sunflowers

The sunflower field is the result of a partnership between Raleigh Water and Raleigh Parks. Every year in May, Raleigh Water preps the big field and plants the sunflower seeds, and Raleigh Parks maintains the field as they grow.

Raleigh is a member of Bee City USA and celebrates National Pollinator Week in June. These sunflowers are not planted just for your pretty Instagram picture, but for a particular purpose. Each year, the city harvests the sunflowers to produce gallons of biodiesel for tractors, trailers and farm equipment.

They moved it over to Dix Park in 2018 and now plant over 280,000 seeds in the 5-acre sunflower field. What’s great about it is it’s not just for pretty photos. There are some serious benefits happening here for our most previous pollinators – the bees – and the seeds are harvested at the end for biofuel for tractors, trailers and farm equipment. There are signs up on the perimeter of the field offering sunflower facts as well as how this initiative is helping the environment and promoting sustainability.

More Raleigh Tips

For more tips about visiting Dix Park, read our full guide here that includes the playground, walking tour, and much more. For those visiting Raleigh, see our 24 hour itinerary and our guide to the best hotels in Raleigh. Of course we have our favorite coffee shops, and tops places to do brunch in Raleigh.