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 the Canal Trail takes you to an overlook where the spider lilies can be best viewed. Do it on your own during park hours, or go on a guided hike with a ranger at 10 am, Thursdays through Sundays, during the lily season.

Guided lily tours are subject to change and have limited availability, please reserve your spot online or call the park at 803-789-5800.

Lily Watch Update

June 13, 2024 

Another thunderstorm damaged most of the spider lily flowers remaining for the season. Many of the surviving blossoms are looking wilted and weathered. About 15% of the spider lilies have flowers.  That number will continue to decline as June progresses. There are still a few flowers out if you would like to come see them, but the blooming season is coming to an end.

June 10, 2024

A thunderstorm last night damaged some of the spider lily flowers. Many of the surviving blossoms are looking wilted and weathered. We may see some of the plants bounce back, though the chances get slimmer as we are make our way past peak bloom. About 50% of the spider lilies have flowers, which still makes for good scenery from the viewing platform. That number will continue to decline as June progresses.

June 6, 2024 

The spider lilies have started to transition past peak bloom. However, about 75% of the plants still have their blossoms, making it worthwhile to walk the trail to the viewing platform or to paddle on the Catawba River.

May 30, 2024 

Conditions have been ideal over the last week for the spider lilies! We are at peak bloom now. This should be a perfect weekend to walk the trail or paddle on the Catawba River to experience the spider lilies at their fullest.

May 23, 2024 

The water level has remained low and the spider lilies are looking good! Between 50% and 75% of the plants have flowers on them, making for a gorgeous view from the viewing platform or while paddling through the shoals on the river!

May 17, 2024 

The water level has dropped and the spider lily plants are back to being visible. Many lost their flowers when submerged under the high water, but some flowers remain and the plants are showing their hardiness by holding onto every rocky shoal at the overlook. We expect that about 25% have yet to bloom, so we still may get a show later this spring.

May 16, 2024 

Probably between 50% and 75% of the spider lilies were blooming earlier in the week, but heavy rains have resulted in very high water levels. Unfortunately, as of today, most of the spider lilies are submerged and cannot be seen from the viewing platform. It is dangerous to go out on the Catawba River when the water level is this high, so we are urging visitors not to paddle, swim, or float on the river until the water levels go down. We will post another update here tomorrow.

May 9, 2024 

More than half of the spider lilies are now blooming! Heavy rains over the last week have resulted in high water levels, so our rangers are urging visitors not to paddle, wade, or float in the river because of dangerous currents. Please stay off the river until the water level is safe. The high water has submerged some of the spider lilies and affected the view, but you can still see a healthy blossoming blanket of white flowers from the viewing platform, making it worth walking the trail. Check back here for weekly updates!

May 2, 2024

About 25% of the spider lilies are blooming! You can now see them clearly from the lily viewing platform. The lilies are right on schedule, and we anticipate peak bloom to occur in about two weeks. Check back here for weekly updates every Thursday!

April 25, 2024 

A few spider lilies have bloomed! They are difficult to see from the riverbanks and viewing platform, but if you’re paddling on the river, you may see some. Fewer than 1% have bloomed, but soon those numbers will pick up. Continue to check in for weekly updates!

April 18, 2024

No spider lilies are blooming yet, but plenty of green growth has emerged from the rocky shoals and is visible from the overlook area. We anticipate seeing lily flowers start to bloom within the next couple of weeks. Check back here to see weekly updates posted every Thursday!

Lilyfest 2024

Lilyfest will be held on May 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Click here to learn more!  

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.