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.

Lily Watch Update

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.