Hipcamp, an app for finding and booking campsites, launched a brand-new 2026 California Superbloom Forecast: an interactive experience built by analyzing 150,000-plus research-grade iNaturalist observations across the 2021–2025 wildflower seasons, according to a release.
The forecast helps roadtrippers and campers plan spring trips around California’s fleeting wildflower windows by combining data-backed bloom predictions with destination-level travel and visitation information. The map makes it easier than ever to see where and when wildflowers are sprouting — and find incredible campsites near the colors.
“When people record what they’re seeing on iNaturalist, they’re contributing to a growing scientific picture of nature over time,” said Dr. Carrie Seltzer, Head of Engagement at iNaturalist. “That data about what’s blooming where and when is publicly available, which means it can be helpful in all kinds of ways—like helping people get to know what’s around them and making an impact for science and conservation.”
As excitement builds around the best California wildflower season in a decade, Hipcamp is already seeing bloom-driven travel demand rise in major hotspots. Spring bookings on Hipcamp are up 64% year-over-year for Death Valley, up 22% for greater San Diego (including the Anza-Borrego Desert area), and up 19% for greater Los Angeles (including the Santa Monica Mountains).
“All the search and booking activity we’re seeing on Hipcamp says people really want to see this in person,” said Alyssa Ravasio, Founder and CEO of Hipcamp. “But catching blooms in full glory is notoriously hard to time. That’s why we built the California Superbloom Forecast; so you can plan a weekend away with better odds, camp nearby, and enjoy it responsibly.”
A new way to plan a superbloom camping trip
While the interactive superbloom forecast is designed to help travelers plan by destination and date, the Hipcamp app now includes a new wildflower map layer, too. Built from the same observation data, wildflower hotspots in California are overlaid directly onto Hipcamp’s search map — making it easier for campers to discover wildflower-rich areas and book camping experiences nearby.
Helping people enjoy wildflowers responsibly
Wildflower seasons can bring heavy visitation to fragile landscapes. Hipcamp encourages travelers to visit responsibly by staying on designated trails, respecting closures and access rules, packing out trash, and following Leave No Trace principles — helping protect the habitats that make wildflower seasons possible.
How to use Hipcamp’s 2026 superbloom tools
Travelers can:
- Explore the interactive forecast to see predicted peak windows by destination and month
- Use travel and visitation guidance to plan logistics and avoid surprises
- Turn on the wildflower layer in the Hipcamp app to see the proximity of wildflower hotspots to their camping options
- Book camping nearby to make the most of short bloom windows
Links
- Explore the interactive Superbloom Forecast: hipcamp.com/en-US/stories/superbloom
- Use the wildflower map layer in the Hipcamp app: hipcamp.onelink.me/ZwFp/bloom-pr
