Landsford Canal State Park is home to the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. These beautiful flowers bloom each year along the Catawba River and can be viewed from the park from May through mid-June. A 1.5-mile, round-trip hike down either the Nature Trail or Canal Trail takes you to an overlook where the spider lilies can be best viewed. 

Lily Watch Update

May 29, 2025 

The spider lilies are still looking beautiful! This week’s rain has not negatively affected the flowers, and river levels have not submerged the plants. Probably about 70% of the plants still have flowers on them. This weekend should still be a great time to visit! Prepare for large crowds at the park - if you are looking to avoid some of the congestion, plan to arrive earlier (before 10 am) or later (after 3 pm) in the day. We will be making our way past peak bloom soon.

May 22, 2025 

The spider lilies remain at peak bloom with flowers now on more than 75% of the plants! The next four days or so should be perfect timing for seeing the flowers. Prepare for large crowds at the park - if you are looking to avoid some of the congestion, plan to arrive earlier (before 10 am) or later (after 3 pm) in the day. 

May 15, 2025

We are at 70-75% peak bloom! It is prime time to visit the park and see the spider lilies! 

May 8, 2025

The lilies are continuing to bloom! Probably more than 50% of the plants now have blossoms, and we’ll be approaching peak bloom soon. If you’re able to make it to the park, it’s beginning to be prime time to visit.

May 1, 2025

It is starting to look beautiful from the overlook! About 20% of the spider lilies appear to be blooming. We may get to peak bloom in just a couple weeks. Check back here for more updates as we start to watch the flowers more closely!

April 24, 2025

Clusters of spider lilies are becoming visible from the overlook! It’s still not close to the spectacular show we’ll see in a few weeks, but we can expect more blossoms soon.

April 17, 2025

Cooler temperatures over the last week kept the flowers to just a few dozen. Once those temperatures start to rise and more warm sunlight hits those plants, we can expect to see more lilies.

April 10, 2025

Greenery is emerging from the rocky shoals as the plants begin to make their appearance. About two feet of green growth is visible. The vast majority of the plants have no flowers yet (though rangers did observe about 20 early bloomers this week). Hurricane Helene did little to no damage to these hardy plants, and we expect that we will see a normal blooming schedule, with flowers hitting peak bloom in mid to late May. Check back here for updates every Thursday!

Lilyfest 2025

Lilyfest will be held on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, from 10 am to 3 pm both days.

The festival will include scheduled nature hikes, programs by the Catawba Nation, 20+ vendors, ice cream and snow cone trucks, food trucks, a coffee truck, music on the porch, and more.  Don't miss it!

More Information  

Hours of operation: daylight until dark, daily.

Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 child age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger.

Remember, you can purchase the ALL Park Passport at the park or online for unlimited admission during the lily season and special savings!  Contact the park for more information.