When will the cherry blossoms on the National Mall reach their peak?/NPS

In its first prediction for the cherry blossom bloom on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Park Service expects the peak bloom to occur between April 2-5. That could change, depending on the weather.

At the same time, the agency is encouraging the public to virtually experience the cherry blossoms this year to help avoid crowding at the Tidal Basin and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Virtual visitors will be able to view the blossoms of the Yoshino trees at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and other sites around the Tidal Basin 24/7 through the popular BloomCam, which has not yet gone live.

NPS is in ongoing close coordination with District of Columbia government and local public health guidelines to determine what precautions may be necessary to quickly adapt to changing conditions or concerning crowd levels.

In addition to BloomCam, the NPS’ cherry blossom website is also being revamped for a virtual peak bloom experience, including online “Bloomin’ Junior Ranger” activities (complete with a virtual Junior Ranger badge), virtual tours of the Tidal Basin, trivia, games and even a special virtual cherry blossom stamp for the Passport to Your National Parks. Masks are required on the National Mall and in all national parks when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and in all indoor NPS facilities. 

For the health and safety of others, the Park Service asks you to choose another time to visit area parks if:  

• You are experiencing COVID-like symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, difficulty breathing and/or loss of taste or smell. 
• You had close contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days. 
• You are self-isolating or self-quarantining because you may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or are worried that you may be sick with COVID-19.

Peak bloom is the date when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open. The cherry trees' blossom development is weather dependent and could change. To learn more about the Cherry Blossom Festival, visit www.nps.gov/cherry.