24 Best Sunflower Fields in Maryland & Virginia 2026

Both Maryland and Virginia have beautiful sunflower fields and farms easily accessible from Washington, D.C.  Typically, sunflower fields bloom from July through October in Maryland and Virginia (DMV), and can vary in size from as little as 2 acres to over 100,000 acres! 

Maryland Sunflower Fields (and Virginia)

McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area Sunflowers

📍 Address: 16898 River Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

Butler’s Orchard Sunflower Field in Maryland

📍 Address: 22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876

Whitetails Farm in Montgomery County, Maryland

📍 Address: 11511 Piedmont Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871

Rocky Point Creamery Sunflower Field

📍 Address: 4323 Tuscarora Rd, Tuscarora, MD 2179

Summers Farm Sunflowers in Middletown, Maryland

📍 Address: 7503 Hollow Road, Middletown, MD 21769 

Clear Meadow (Jarretsville) Sunflowers

📍 Address: 3767 Norrisville Rd, Jarrettsville, MD 21084

Mary’s Land Farm:  Clarksville Sunflower Festival in Maryland

📍 Address: 4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Sunflowers of Lisbon

📍 Address: 15845 Frederick Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797 (Additional locations Glenwood & Maple Lawn)

The Sunflower Garden in Maryland

📍 Address: 2390 Manchester Rd, Westminster, MD 21157

Gaver Farms

📍 Address: 5501 Detrick Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

Boxwood Farms Sunfest

📍 Address: 704 Schucks Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

Sunnies at 32 / Frank’s Product Sunflowers

📍 Address: 5742 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

Clark’s Elioak Farm Enchanted Forest

📍 Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 

Valley View Acres

📍 Address: 4005 Valley View Rd, Middletown, MD 21769

Farm Heritage Conservancy Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farm (Benedict, MD)

📍 Address: 6932 Serenity Farms Rd, Benedict, MD 20612 (Note: Hosted by the nonprofit Farm Heritage Conservancy along the banks of the Patuxent River).

Goldpetal Farms

📍 Address: 37254 Manor Rd, Chaptico, MD 20621

The Miller’s Farm

📍 Address: 3120 White Hall Rd, White Hall, MD 21161

Burnside Farms Sunflower Field in Virginia

📍 Address: 11008 Kettle Run Rd, Nokesville, VA 20181

Auburn Farm Sunflower Patch in Virginia

📍 Address: 17736 Auburn Rd, Brandy Station, VA 22714

Lesher’s Sunflowers in Pennsylvania (Just Across the Maryland Boarder)

📍 Address: Chambersburg, PA 17202

Fields of Adventure

📍 Address: 64 Tree Lane, Aspers, PA 17304

Country Barn Sunflower Festival

📍 Address: 211 S Donerville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603

Maple Lawn Farms (The Pennsylvania Sunflower Festival)

📍 Address: 2885 New Park Rd, New Park, PA 17352

The DMV Sunflower Peak Bloom Matrix

Which sunflower fields are open right now in Maryland and Virginia?

Editor’s Top Picks for 2026

• Best for Families & Activities:  Magnolia Meadow Farms

If you are traveling with kids, the sheer volume of extra activities—including the massive farm playground, animal areas, and pick-your-own pumpkin—makes this the easiest, highest-utility choice for a full day trip.  And they have a beautiful wild cut flower field, which is the best in the region, blooming at the same time so you get more bang for your buck!

• Best for Photography and Sunset Views: Lesher Poultry Farm Sunflowers

This is the absolute premier spot for lifestyle portraits and sunset landscape shots.  They are open during sunrise and sunset, making it a perfect spot for photos.  Also, they plant their sunflowers in even rows making linear photos here truly magical.

• Best Location:  McKee-Beshers Sunflowers

McKee-Beshers sunflowers are the wildest of all the fields and the closest one to Washington, D.C., while being completely free.  It’s also relatively close to restaurants and other activities for a full day trip in Maryland.

Best Sunflower Fields in The Capital Region (Closest to D.C.)

McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area Sunflowers

📍 Address: 16898 River Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837

💰 Cost: Free entry | Cutting/picking flowers is strictly prohibited (Wildlife Preserve)

⏰ 2026 Status: Active. As of July 6, 2026 at least one of the 4 fields is in full bloom

McKee Beshers sunflower fields are the most famous sunflowers in Maryland, just across the border from D.C.  If you hear anyone mention a sunflower field in the District, it’s likely McKee Beshers.  McKee Beshers sunflowers typically bloom mid-July.  There are usually 40 acres of sunflowers planted throughout the McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area.  The fields are rotated each year, so locations vary, and some do require a bit of hiking.  These fields are completely free, which is why they are so popular!  For 2026, they have planted 4 fields, and as of July 6, 2026 at least one of the fields is in full bloom.

I’ve personally been going to McKee Beshers sunflower fields for over 10 years. Here’s a full, detailed breakdown of everything you need to know, including a map of the 2026 field locations:  https://seaofblush.com/mckee-beshers-sunflowers-maryland/

Pictures of McKee Besher Sunflower Fields in Maryland

Butler’s Orchard Sunflower Field in Maryland

📍 Address: 22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876

💰 Cost: Weekdays: $6 online / $7 gate | Weekends: $13.50 online / $15 gate | Cut-your-own stems are $2.00 each

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Sunflower Spectacular running mid-August 2026)

Butler’s Orchard has a lovely little field of sunflowers in Maryland that blooms in August as part of their Sunflower Spectacular!  The best part is this farm is just as close to DC as McKee Beshers.  They’ve added some fun props perfect for photos!  Butler’s Orchard is a great place for kids and they have a large variety of pick-your-own fruits and veggies. 

The annual Sunflower Spectacular at Butler’s Orchard combines vibrant flower fields with a massive array of family-friendly farm activities.

• Peak Bloom Window: Typically runs for about a week to ten days in mid-August.

• Estimated Hours: Usually open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (typically closed Mondays), with special extended evening hours until 8:30 PM on select weekend dates for golden hour photography. (Note: Last entry is usually one hour before closing).

• Admission Cost: Pricing generally ranges from $6 to $15 per person. Weekdays are significantly cheaper than weekends, and purchasing your tickets online in advance will save you money compared to buying them at the gate. Children under 24 months are free.

What’s Included with Your Ticket:

• 5-Acre Farm Park Access: Perfect for families, admission includes access to giant slides, farm animals, pedal tractors, playgrounds, a combine tractor slide, and shaded picnic areas.

• Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Field Access: Beyond the sunflowers, your entry grants you access to their late-summer PYO fields. Depending on the week’s harvest, you can typically pick red raspberries, summer vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, potatoes), and standard garden flowers.

Planning Tip: Because agricultural festivals depend entirely on the weather, exact bloom dates, weekend extensions, and ticketing windows shift slightly every year. Always verify real-time field conditions and reserve your timed-entry passes directly on the official (www.butlersorchard.com) before making the drive.

Butler’s Orchard Photos

Whitetails Farm in Montgomery County, Maryland

📍 Address: 11511 Piedmont Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871

💰 Cost: Not listed, contact them for pricing for photos and events

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Bloom expected mid-July)

Whitetails Farm is a newly opened sunflower field in Montgomery County, Maryland.  They expect about 15 acres of sunflowers to bloom in mid-July.

There’s no pricing available on their website, but they do have a contact form to reserve private events and photo sessions.  This is probably the largest sunflower field in Montgomery County, Maryland, besides McKee Beshers.

Western Maryland Sunflower Fields (The Mountain Backdrops) 

Rocky Point Creamery Sunflower Field

📍 Address: 4323 Tuscarora Rd, Tuscarora, MD 21790

💰 Cost: Free entry (donations highly encouraged) | U-Pick stems are $1.00 each (All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Blooms mid-to-late August 2026; closed Mondays)

Rocky Point Creamery has the best ice cream.  What could be better than some sunflowers and ice cream together.  The best part? You can actually pick the sunflowers at Rocky Point Creamery.  The sunflowers are $1 each, and Rocky Point donates the proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The payment for flowers is more of an honor system. They have a jar and some scissors out on the entrance to the field where you can put money in.  No one is manning the field.  

There’s no entrance fee here, but definitely donate even if you don’t pick the sunflowers.  Be sure to get some ice cream too! The sunflower field at Rocky Point Creamery blooms around mid-August.

Rocky Point Creamery Sunflower Pictures

Compared to McKee Besher, the sunflower field at Rocky Point Creamery in Maryland is much smaller.  It’s very pretty, but it’s more of a “patch” at only 2 acres when compared to the former field.    

Don’t make the mistake I did in trying to go on a Monday Rocky Point closes on Mondays!

• Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:30pm to 8:30pm
• They are open later than Butler’s so you’ll be able to get some great sunset pictures here
• Definitely eat some ice cream
• Rocky Point Creamery Location:  4323 Tuscarora Rd, Tuscarora, MD 21790
• Sunflowers bloom around mid-August

Summers Farm Sunflowers in Middletown, Maryland

📍 Address: 7503 Hollow Road, Middletown, MD 21769 

💰 Cost: ~$19.50–$20.95 general admission online (Ages 2 and under are free) | Ticket includes access to 45+ farm activities, a wagon ride to the fields, and 6 FREE flower blooms of your choice (sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos) OR a 1/4 peck of pick-your-own apples.

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Annual Flower Festival dates TBD)

Summers Farm features a massive 8-acre field packed with over 35 different varieties of sunflowers! The best news is that they bloom from late August through September, making it the absolute perfect late-summer day trip. It is easily one of the largest sunflower fields in Maryland and sits just about a 1-hour drive from Washington, D.C.

• Peak Bloom Window: Blooms typically begin in mid-to-late August and continue through early September. The festival generally opens for select weekend dates throughout this window, including Labor Day Monday.

• Admission Cost: General admission typically ranges from $19 to $24 per person, depending on whether you purchase online or at the gate. (Pro tip: Always buy online ahead of time to save a few dollars!) Children aged 2 and under are completely free.

What’s Included with Your Ticket:

• One Free Bloom: Every paid admission includes one beautiful sunflower bloom of your choice to take home. You can also purchase additional single stems or upgrade to a decorative bucket or mason jar to create a gorgeous, photo-ready bouquet!

• Wagon Ride to the Fields: Enjoy a scenic wagon ride out to the heart of the sunflower fields. Your admission books your specific time slot to visit the flowers, but you are welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the farm for as long as you like afterward!

• 45+ Fun Farm Activities: Admission grants you access to an absolute playground of farm fun, including a giant corn maze, corn hole, giant Jenga, tetherball, farmer golf, and farm animals.

• Live Music & Farm Eats: Turn your visit into a full afternoon out! The farm hosts live music and serves up delicious local hard cider, seasonal farm food, and rotating food truck offerings.

Central Maryland Sunflowers (Howard, Carroll, Baltimore, & Harford Counties)

Clear Meadow (Jarretsville) Sunflowers

📍 Address: 3767 Norrisville Rd, Jarrettsville, MD 21084

💰 Cost: $5 per car or $1 per person donation | Viewing only, not a cut-your-own farm

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Projected peak bloom mid-September 2026)

Clear Meadow Farm is also known as Jarrettsville Sunflowers!  It is the first sunflower field I ever went to, even before the sunflower fields in Maryland at McKee-Beshers.  Jarretsville Sunflowers typically bloom in September.  If you’ve lived in Maryland and Virginia, you know that July and August are typically the hottest months of the year in this area. This means that sunflowers that bloom in July and August in Maryland and Virginia tend to look kind of wilty, and the bloom doesn’t last very long!

Every time I’ve been to Clear Meadow Farm’s sunflower field in Maryland, the weather has been perfect!  Because it’s September! It’s not as hot, there are barely any mosquitoes, and no thunderstorms! 

Clear Meadow Farm typically blooms in mid-September with 21 acres of sunflowers. And they usually plant 600,000 sunflowers in July!  The entrance fee is $5 per person; children under 12 are free.  This is not a cut-your-own flower farm, so please don’t cut the sunflowers.  You can buy sunflowers during staffed hours.

Jarretsville Sunflower Field in Maryland Photos

Mary’s Land Farm:  Clarksville Sunflower Festival in Maryland

📍 Address: 4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042

💰 Cost: Admission varies by weekend/weekday online ticketing (Includes festival access + 1 bloom) | Additional stems are $4.50 each

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Festival dates confirmed July 15 – August 15, 2026)

The wonderful farmers at Mary’s Land Farm plan the Clarksville Sunflower Festival!  The Clarksville Sunflower Festival is about 1 hour from Washington DC in Maryland at, 4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042.

Clarksville Sunflower Festival typically starts at the end of August.

I’ve never been to this one, but it is bigger than Rocky Point Creamery at 6 acres of sunflowers.  The festival has cut a path through the sunflowers, so it’s easier to navigate.

• Eat, drink, and be merry from food trucks
• Listen to live music from local artists in the pavilion
• Shop from unique vendors
• See a fully operating sustainable farm and meet our pasture-raised cows, sheep and ducks, organic chickens, woodland raised pigs, and greenhouses full of healthy vegetables
• Pick your own sunflower bloom to take home with you!

They have quite a few varieties of sunflowers and even a field of Black-Eyed Susans, which is the Maryland State flower!

Their ticket prices start at $7 but vary by date and time, check their socials for updated information.

Sunflowers of Lisbon

📍 Address: 15845 Frederick Rd, Woodbine, MD 21797 (Additional locations Glenwood & Maple Lawn)

💰 Cost: $15.00 admission (Ages 2 and under free) | Ticket includes 5 U-Pick sunflower stems

⏰ 2026 Status: Active The Woodbine location is currently open and in full bloom as of late June

I just heard about Sunflowers of Lisbon from one of my friends who just went!  It looks amazing at 10 acres of sunflowers, bigger than Butler’s Orchard and Rocky Point Creamery.

Sunflowers of Lisbon has 3 locations: Woodbine, Glenwood/Colmont Farm, and Maple Lawn.  Colmont Farm usually starts blooming in early August with 12 acres of sunflowers. Location:  14571 Carrs Mill Rd, Glenwood, MD.  They are open daily from 9 am to 8:30 pm.  

You do not need to purchase tickets in advance, as with some of the other fields, and there is no timed entry.  The great thing about Sunflowers of Lisbon is the long open hours; you can get some nice sunset photos here!

The Sunflower Garden in Maryland

📍 Address: 2390 Manchester Rd, Westminster, MD 21157

💰 Cost: $7.00 admission per person | U-Pick stems are $1.00 each or a mixed bunch for $12.00

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Open for picking mid-July through mid-September 2026)

The Sunflower Garden has probably one of the cutest sunflower driveways!!  Yes, a field of sunflowers all along the driveway.  I’ve never been to this field, but it looks amazing.

Their sunflowers start blooming around mid-July

Their driveway should be in full bloom in early September!  This is a pick-your-own flower garden with more than just sunflowers.

• You will need to buy tickets for weekend entry starting at $14 per person. Tickets are available here.
• The Sunflower Garden is at 2390 Manchester Rd, Westminster, MD 21157.
• More info here.

Gaver Farms

📍 Address: 5501 Detrick Rd, Mt Airy, MD 21771

💰 Cost: Included with Fall Festival Admission ($14.50–$19.75 depending on date) | Stems are $2.00 each

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Blooms during the Fall Festival starting September 2026)

Gaver Farms has a beautiful fall festival that includes a field of sunflowers!  Their field of sunflowers usually blooms late August/early September, depending on the year.  For 2026 they have not yet announced the expected bloom dates. Their Maryland sunflower field has some really cute photo props, including an old piano!

For updates on their sunflower field bloom dates check their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/GaverFarm

Boxwood Farms Sunfest

📍 Address: 704 Schucks Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

💰 Cost: Small festival entry fee at the gate | Pay-per-stem for U-pick

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Annual Sunfest weekend event scheduled for mid-September 2026)

Boxwood Farms hosts a sunfest each year to celebrate their field of sunflowers in Bel Air, Maryland, in September!  Check their Facebook page for updates:  https://www.facebook.com/BoxwoodFarms

Sunnies at 32 / Frank’s Product Sunflowers

📍 Address: 5742 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

💰 Cost: Free entry to the farm stand area | Sunflowers are priced per stem or pre-bundled bunch at the market

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Blooms late summer through early Autumn 2026)

Sunnies at 32 typically opens around mid to late July!  If you missed McKee Beshers sunflowers, this is a great alternative as it blooms near the end of McKee Beshers sunflowers.

Sunnies at 32  is a pretty relaxed field that allows dogs!!

Typical entry price is $10 per person (children under 3 Free)
Cut 3 sunflowers to take home with you
Cash and Venmo only
Leashed friendly dogs are welcome

Location:  1500 Route 32, Sykesville, MD

For more up-to-date bloom info, go to their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094751353663

Clark’s Elioak Farm Enchanted Forest

📍 Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042 

💰 Cost: $8.00 general farm admission (Ages 1 and older) | Includes access to the petting farm, Enchanted Forest, and play areas. Cut-your-own flower stems and rides (like the train or hayride) are priced separately.

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (The Roadside Produce Stand and Cut Your Own Flower Garden open July 1, 2026. Their official Sunflower Showcase event is confirmed for August 14 – August 30, 2026).

Clark’s Elioak Farm has a new sunflower patch!  We’ve come here before for a birthday party and it was amazing!

Their sunflower patch opens around mid-August to early September. Get a photo with a Gingerbreadman or in a Teacup or a Tractor in a setting of gorgeous sunflowers! You can take photos all day during our regular business hours.

And this farm does allow outside food and drink so pack a picnic and enjoy their sunflowers! Bring a blanket or use their picnic tables.

2026 Info:

• Address: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
• Dates: The Roadside Produce Stand and Cut-Your-Own Flower Garden are officially open daily from July 1, 2026, through September 7, 2026 (Labor Day).
• Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 7 days a week.
• The Cut-Your-Own Experience: Their summer garden features a stunning mix of fresh sunflowers, bright zinnias, celosia, and strawflowers.

Check their socials for bloom status and opening hours.

Valley View Acres

📍 Address: 4005 Valley View Rd, Middletown, MD 21769

💰 Cost: $10.00 general admission (Children 5 and under are free) | U-Pick sunflower stems are $1.00 each | CRITICAL NOTE: This is a strictly CASH ONLY working farm, so make sure to advise readers to visit the ATM beforehand! No pets allowed.

⏰ 2026 Status: Active The sunflower field is in full bloom as of early July.

Valley View Acres is a lovely little farm just 20  minutes outside of Frederick, Maryland.  They have more than sunflowers though!!  In April, the farm comes alive in red with a field of clover, followed by beautiful white daisies.

They plant 8 acres of sunflowers each year that bloom in early October but sometimes in September.  Check their Facebook page for updates on bloom status:  https://www.facebook.com/valleyviewacresmd/

Southern Maryland (River & Coastal Vibes) Sunflower Farms

Farm Heritage Conservancy Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farm (Benedict, MD)

📍 Address: 6932 Serenity Farms Rd, Benedict, MD 20612 (Note: Hosted by the nonprofit Farm Heritage Conservancy along the banks of the Patuxent River).

💰 Cost: $12.00 per person in advance (plus ticketing fees) | $15.00 at the gate | Children 7 and under are FREE. Free parking! Ticket includes entry to the 6-acre field, pick-your-own sunflower blooms (bring your own shears!), hayrides, access to the petting pen, face-painting, and a local art show.

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (The Annual Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival dates are officially confirmed for Labor Day weekend: September 5 & 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Leashed dogs are welcome!).

If you are looking for a dreamy way to transition from the lazy days of summer into early autumn, the Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival is a total treasure. Held at the gorgeous, historic Serenity Farm along the Patuxent River, this festival is an incredible option for anyone living in the DMV who wants a stunning floral escape without making the trek out to the western counties.

2026 Festival Intel:

• Dates: Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, 2026 (Labor Day Weekend)

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

• 2026 Pricing: $12 online (plus small ticketing fee) or $15 flat at the gate. Children aged 7 and under are free.

• Note for Artists: If you are a painter, they are hosting their special En Plein Air painting day and competition on Friday, September 4, 2026.

• Peak Bloom Window: The festival traditionally takes place over Labor Day weekend in early September, making it a beautiful way to welcome the crisp start of fall.

• The Landscape: You get to explore 6 acres of stunning, vibrant pick-your-own sunflowers with the river acting as a scenic backdrop.

What to Expect and Photo Opportunities:

• Aesthetic Backdrop and Art Show: Serenity Farm turns into a beautiful autumn landscape with endless photo opportunities. Aside from the sprawling yellow fields, they host a local art show right on the property, combining agricultural charm with a creative, local community vibe.

• Classic Fall Amenities: Your admission includes a full day of farm activities, featuring scenic tractor-drawn hayrides, farm tours, face painting, live music, and a lovely petting pen where you can meet the resident farm animals.

• Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers: You can wander through the vibrant rows to select and cut your own fresh blooms to take home. Just remember that this is a true farm experience, so you will need to pack your own floral shears.

• Dog-Friendly Outing: One of the best elements of this location is that it is dog-friendly. You are more than welcome to bring your pup along for a photo shoot in the fields, provided they stay on a leash.

Goldpetal Farms

📍 Address: 37254 Manor Rd, Chaptico, MD 20621

💰 Cost: $15 general admission (Ages 7+) | Children 6 and under are free | $12 for Military with ID or groups of 5+. Pick-your-own stems are $1.00 each (or $5 for 7). You can also buy by the container: $7 for a small bud vase or $15 for a larger mason jar (bringing your own container for cut flowers is not allowed).

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Their spring poppy meadow just wrapped up at the end of May; their massive 7-acre summer sunflower mazes and zinnia fields open up next for successive summer blooms running through the season. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed!).

📸 Photography / Drone Note for your post: Goldpetal Farms is extremely popular for photos, but their rules explicitly state that drones are strictly prohibited without prior written permission. They offer a $75 professional photography day pass or a $215 season pass for creators shooting client sessions.

Goldpetal Farms starts its flower season in April with a field of Bachelor’s Buttons that bloom late April to Mid-June!  In summer from late June to early August they have a field of sunflowers and zinnias for picking!

For 2026, their poppies and blue buttons are currently blooming in May.

DAYS OPEN Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (thru mid-June)
EVENING-ONLY HOURS: 4:30 pm-8:30 pm
LOCATION: 37254 Manor Rd, Chaptico, MD 20621

Entry & Flower Fees
ONE-TIME ENTRY FEE: $10 (age 7 and up), 6 & under free

CUT FLOWER COST: $5
We supply a bud vase with a capacity of up to 25 stems! You can purchase as many bud vases as you like for $5 each.

FULL-SEASON MEMBER PASS: $45
This includes access to ALL flower fields and mazes for the entirety of Spring and Summer (potentially Fall) with unlimited visits during opening hours. PLUS, all members get either a free native plant or a pot of zinnias once they are available in the summer.

Professional Photography
DAY PASS $50: shoot as many sessions as you’d like over a day, clients need to pay general admission.

Season PASS $150: Unlimited visits to shoot as many sessions as you like throughout our 12 to 14-week season; clients need to pay general admission.

Get tickets and updates:  https://goldpetalfarms.com/plan-your-visit/

The Miller’s Farm

📍 Address: 3120 White Hall Rd, White Hall, MD 21161

💰 Cost: $5.00 admission fee per person (Children under 5 are free) | Paid upon arrival at the farm—no advanced ticketing or reservations required. (This is a tracking and photography field rather than a cut-your-own patch).

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (The field opens daily from dawn to dusk once the crop hits its peak bloom window, which typically runs for 2 to 3 weeks in late summer. Keep an eye on their official Facebook page for the formal 2026 bloom announcement and schedule of select weekend festivals featuring live music, yard games, and local food trucks).

🐾 Pet & Parking Note: Leashed dogs are fully permitted to join you out in the flowers! To keep the community safe, the farm explicitly requests that all visitors park inside the designated on-farm lots rather than pulling onto the shoulders of White Hall Road.

Checking out their Facebook page, it looks like the sunflowers at Miller’s Farm bloom all the way into October!  This is a great way to enjoy beautiful fall weather!

Northern Virginia (The Day Trips) Sunflower Farms

Burnside Farms Sunflower Field in Virginia

📍 Address: 11008 Kettle Run Rd, Nokesville, VA 20181

💰 Cost: Online tickets only — no gate sales! Tickets are required for ages 6+ (ages 5 and under are free). Every ticket includes 3 FREE pick-your-own sunflowers. Additional stems are $1.50 on the farm (or $0.83 if pre-purchased online).

• Weekday Mornings (8 AM–Noon): $15.00

• Weekday Sunsets (4 PM–Dusk): $17.00

• Weekend Mornings (8 AM–Noon): $16.00

• Weekend Sunsets (4 PM–Dusk): $18.00–$18.50 (depending on event nights like Foamy Fridays or Concert Saturdays)

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (The 2026 Summer of Sunflowers season is expected to open July 10, 2026, and runs through the first week of August).

Visiting Tips You Need to Know:

• Mid-Day Heat Closure: Burnside Farms is CLOSED ALL MID-DAYS from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for heat safety. 

• Cash Policy: The farm is completely cashless—only major credit cards are accepted.

• Photography & Pets: Leashed dogs are welcome during the summer sunflower season. Unlike many farms, there is no site fee for professional photography here; creators and clients just need to purchase regular admission tickets. Drones are prohibited.

If you’ve read my post on tulips, you know I’ve not had the greatest experience at Burnside Farms in Virginia.  But I’ve heard these sunflower fields in Virginia are amazing.

This sunflower field in Virginia has a ton of varieties that bloom at different times (over 30 types of sunflowers) and 70 acres of sunflowers!  Burnside Farms’ sunflower field usually starts blooming mid-July.

What to Expect and Photo Opportunities:

• Sunset and Live Music: Friday through Sunday evenings are transformed into a complete event, featuring local food trucks, refreshing summer drinks, and live acoustic music to elevate the sunset photography experience.

• Foamy Fridays: The crowd-favorite foam parties are returning for the season, making weekend evening slots incredibly popular for families.

• Endless Variety: With over 30 distinct cutting varieties of sunflowers planted across the property, the fields offer an incredibly textured, multi-colored backdrop for portraits.

Auburn Farm Sunflower Patch in Virginia

📍 Address: 17736 Auburn Rd, Brandy Station, VA 22714

💰 Cost: $10.00 admission per person (Children ages 5 and under are free) | U-Pick stems are $2.00 each. (Admission covers access to their 15-acre sunflower field, a 4-acre corn maze, various adult and kid-friendly yard games, and entry to their weekend local food and craft vendor market).

⏰ 2026 Status: Active (Projected to open for successive weekend dates starting early September 2026; exact dates are pending final weather and crop tracking in late August).

I didn’t know about this 4-acre sunflower farm in Virginia until one of my amazing readers on Instagram sent it to me!  She went and said it was amazing!

Auburn Farm Sunflower Patch is about 1.5 hours from Washington DC, at 17736 Auburn Road, Brandy Station, Virginia
(Located just north of Culpeper, Virginia, two miles off of Route 29).

If you happen to live in VA this would be a great spot to visit!  And you can cut your own flowers here. Be sure to bring your own shears and pack a picnic to enjoy on the farm! Their Sunflower Festival usually runs around September.

Double check their socials for updates on pricing, dates, and hours:  https://www.facebook.com/HistoricAuburnFarm/

Sunflower Fields Just Outside the DMV Area

Lesher’s Sunflowers in Pennsylvania (Just Across the Maryland Boarder)

📍 Address: Chambersburg, PA 17202 (Note: This massive 200+ acre attraction is located just over the Maryland border in Franklin County, PA. Because it’s a massive working farm, the exact address shifts every single year due to crop rotation—they announce the precise 2026 field entry point on their Facebook page “Sunflower Watch” in early August).

💰 Cost: Free admission | U-Pick stems are $1.00 each on an honor-system basis. (Bring cash for the drop bucket and your own scissors/shears!).

⏰ 2026 Status: Active Peak bloom has arrived at Lesher’s as of August 31, 2026! Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk. The shed is only open Monday through Saturday from about 8 a.m.- 8 p.m

Lesher’s Poultry Farm has the BIGGEST sunflower field  I have ever seen!  Lesher’s plants over 200 acres of sunflowers every year.  I’ve not seen a sunflower field in Maryland, Washington DC, or Virginia anywhere this size!

If you’ve dreamed of the sunflower fields in France in beautiful rows as far as the eye can see, then Lesher’s sunflower field is it!

Full bloom hits Lesher’s usually around the first weekend of September and runs through the middle of September.  Because the field is so big, even if only half the field is blooming, that’s still 100 acres!  More than enough to get some beautiful sunflower photos.

Technically, Lesher’s Farm is not in Maryland; it’s just over the border in Pennsylvania.  This sunflower field is about a 1.5-hour drive from Washington, DC.  I’d say it’s well worth it!

Lesher’s is also FREE to enter, and there are no time restrictions, so definitely go for sunset for some beautiful photos!  They also have cut-your-own flowers at $1 per stem.

There is one road that you can drive through the field and plenty of designated parking spots along the road.  We went during sunset on Saturday and had no trouble finding parking!

Because the field is so large there were also no crowds.  For 2026 they have not announced planting or blooming yet, but this sunflower field usually starts blooming Labor Day weekend.

Location for 2026: 1187 Marion Road/Chambersburg, PA 17202

Important Google Maps Navigation Note: If you search for “Lesher Poultry Farm” on Google Maps, it will automatically route you to their main commercial egg office on Swamp Fox Road. Do not go there. Use the address above

The field is still completely free to enter, but they ask that you leave $5 if you are a paid photographer taking clients.  Also, this year the field does not have a dirt road you can drive through like last year.  Instead, an actual road goes through the field with designated parking.  Don’t park on the side of the road!

Lesher’s Sunflowers is by far the best value for photographers if you are in Maryland!

Lesher’s Sunflower Field Pictures

While there are several sunflower fields just across the border from Maryland into Pennsylvania such as Fields Of Adventure, Country Barn Sunflower Festival, Maple Lawn Farms And The Pennsylvania Sunflower Festival, and Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, none of these farms offer a field of the size of Lesher’s in PA!

If you are going to cross over from Maryland into Pennsylvania for sunflower fields, then I’d go to Lesher’s, but below is information on these sunflower fields.

Fields of Adventure

📍 Address: 64 Tree Lane, Aspers, PA 17304

💰 Cost: General farm admission required | Sunflower stems are $1.00 each

⏰ 2026 Status: Active 

For summer, Field of Adventure has active blue berry picking, but not much information on the status of their sunflower field.  The information on their site is from 2025, and no real update has been given.  If you are in Maryland would check out one of the other fields I listed, before heading to this one.

Country Barn Sunflower Festival

📍 Address: 211 S Donerville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603

💰 Cost: $18.00 general admission | Ticket includes entry to the sunflower fields, 1 FREE sunflower bloom, live music, Grandview Winery tastings for adults, and full access to their Barnyard Kingdom fun park (corn maze, slides, animal interactions, and pedal carts).

⏰ 2026 Status: Unknown, no announcements on their website for Facebook for sunflowers

Maple Lawn Farms (The Pennsylvania Sunflower Festival)

📍 Address: 2885 New Park Rd, New Park, PA 17352

💰 Cost: Starting at $11.00 online early-bird tickets | At the gate: $19.00 adults / $15.00 youth (Children under 3 are free). Tickets include festival entry to their massive 8-acre field (boasting over 185,000 blooms and 20+ varieties), a tractor-wagon ride to the fields, photo ops, live entertainment, and 1 FREE sunflower bloom.

⏰ 2026 Status: Active ( First date August 1, 2026, with the official full-scale music and food truck festival running the middle two weekends of August).

Maple Lawn Farms is not to be mistaken for Sunflowers of Lisbon in Maple Lawn, Maryland!  This is a completely different location. 
Their sunflower field has 8 acres of blooms with over 185,000 sunflowers with many colors and sizes.  Ticketing is limited and MUST be purchased online to guarantee admission to the event.  Compared to Lesher’s this one is pretty small but they do have lots of activities.

Your ticket includes:

• Festival Admission
• Wagon Ride to fields
• Photo Ops
• 1 Sunflower Bloom
• Entertainment

The Ultimate Capital Sunflower & Winery Day Trip

For the perfect summer weekend itinerary that avoids the mid-day heat, try this curated routing:

• 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Beat the Heat and Crowds at McKee-Beshers Sunflowers: Start your morning early during peak bloom.   The morning light is perfect for photos, the temperatures are manageable, and typically, the sunflowers face the morning sun, so you’ll get the best photos.

• 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Winery Tour: Head down the street for a light charcuterie board and local wines at Windridge Vineyard.  For a more satisfying lunch, head to Rockland Farm’s Winery and sample their award-winning wines.  Finish off the day at Song Dong Distillery Farm.

• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Boating and Hiking: If you’ve still got energy, head to Seneca Creek State Park for a stroll around Clopper Lake, or rent a boat!

• 6:00 PM | Grab dinner at Rio Lake Front at Guapos for delicious Tex-Mex!

Permanently Closed Sunflower Farms in the DMV

Old Line Flower Co. [Permanently Closed]

Permanently Closed as of 2026!

Old Line Flower Co in Westminster, Maryland, plants a ton of different flowers each year:  tulips, peonies, lavender, dahlias, and of course sunflowers!

Their sunflower harvest is typically expected mid-August for approx 2-3 weeks!

Location:  2050 Carousel Dr, Westminster, Maryland 21157

Check their page for when U-Pick sunflowers will begin:  https://www.oldlineflowerco.com/special-events

Sunflower Fields in Maryland | Maryland Agricultural Resource Council [Permanently Closed]

CLOSED – it looks like this is closed!

I’ll admit I’ve never been to the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council’s sunflower fields in Maryland, but this year it’s blooming in September too so I had to add it to the list! 

September is my favorite time of year to see sunflowers in Maryland because the weather is usually perfect for any outdoor activity.  

The Maryland Agricultural Council encourages picking their sunflowers and having a picnic on site.  September is a great time in Maryland to have a picnic.  

• Sunflowers are $1 each or $10 for a dozen
• Payment is by honor box, like at Rocky Point Creamery, put money in the jar
• Open sunrise to sunset, you’ll be able to get lovely sunset pictures here
• You can bring your dog, but must be on a leash
• Address:  1114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030
• More info on this sunflower field in Maryland here:  https://marylandagriculture.org/pick-your-own/

Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland Sunflower Fields

When is sunflower season in Maryland and Virginia?

Sunflower season in the Mid-Atlantic region runs from late June through early October. Peak bloom for the majority of summer fields occurs in mid-to-late July, while fall-specific festivals feature blooms throughout September and early October.

How long do sunflower blooms last?

Once a specific sunflower field reaches full bloom, the window of peak beauty lasts for approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Many commercial farms plant successive crops in stages to extend their festival seasons for up to 6 weeks.

Which sunflower fields in Maryland are free to visit?

The McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Poolesville is completely free to enter and open sunrise to sunset, though cutting the flowers is strictly prohibited. For a free field across the Pennsylvania border that allows cutting ($1 per stem), Lesher’s Sunflowers is a top regional choice.

What should I bring to a sunflower field photoshoot?

Always pack insect repellent (fields attract high volumes of pollinators and mosquitoes), protective footwear that can handle thick mud, and a small step-stool if you are photographing children, as varieties like those at McKee-Beshers frequently grow over 6 feet tall.