The Best Sunflower Fields in Minnesota 🌻 to Visit
There’s something about a field filled with thousands of bright yellow sunflowers that just feels like summer in Minnesota. 🌻
By late July and August, sunflower fields begin popping up around the state, creating some of the prettiest places for a summer day trip. Whether you’re looking for the perfect backdrop for family photos, planning a girls’ day, or simply want to wander through rows of flowers on a warm summer evening, Minnesota has some beautiful sunflower fields worth adding to your summer bucket list.
Sunflower season in Minnesota typically begins in late July or early August, with many fields reaching peak bloom from mid-August through early September. Some farms stagger their plantings so visitors can see flowers well into September.
Because sunflowers are an agricultural crop, exact bloom dates depend heavily on rain, heat, and other weather conditions. Always check the farm’s website or social media before making the drive.
Here are some of the best sunflower fields in Minnesota to visit this summer.
1. Fresh Acres Farm – Monticello
📍 8102 72nd Street NE, Monticello, Minnesota
If you’re looking for a sunflower field within an easy drive of the Twin Cities, Fresh Acres Farm is a great place to start.
This family farm plants a beautiful sunflower field that visitors can walk through, photograph, and even cut flowers from to create their own bouquet.
For 2026, Fresh Acres anticipated its first sunflower field beginning to bloom around mid-August. The field is open from sunrise to sunset once the flowers are ready, making this an especially fun spot for photographers who want to visit during golden hour.
One thing I love about Fresh Acres is how simple the experience is. You can wander through the field, take your time getting photos, and bring your own snips if you’d like to cut a bouquet.
Admission
Admission is currently an $8 per-person free-will donation.
Photographers are welcome in the field as well.
Best Time to Visit
Plan for mid to late August, but check the farm’s current bloom updates before heading out.
Make a Day of It
Before or after visiting the sunflowers, head into Monticello for a treat at Moon Donuts & Cafe. It’s a fun local stop for donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee.
For lunch or dinner, Rancho Grande is a casual option for Mexican food in town.
2. Treasured Haven Farm – Rush City
📍 53407 Government Road, Rush City, Minnesota
For a sunflower experience that feels like a true Minnesota countryside escape, head to Treasured Haven Farm near Rush City.
Treasured Haven is a working organic family farm that plants multiple sunflower fields throughout the season. Rather than having one field bloom all at once, the farm uses succession planting to extend sunflower season.
Depending on the weather, sunflowers can begin blooming around mid-July and continue into September.
The experience here goes beyond simply taking a few pictures. Visitors can explore sunflower fields, walking trails, prairie areas, woodlands, and creek overlooks. There are also farm animals, photo props and a sunflower gift shop.
Bring a blanket and pack a picnic because visitors are welcome to find a peaceful spot around the farm and stay awhile.
Admission
The farm’s most recently posted Sunflower Days admission is:
$20 per carload
$10 for a single visitor arriving alone
Photography during regular hours is included with admission, with no additional photography permit required.
Best Time to Visit
Because the farm plants several fields, blooms can run from mid-July through early or mid-September.
Check the farm’s daily bloom updates before visiting so you know which fields are at their peak.
Make a Day of It
Stop at Rush City Bakery for a classic small-town Minnesota bakery experience. Grab coffee and one of their donuts or pastries before heading to the farm.
If you want a sit-down meal afterward, Fiesta Cancun is another option right in Rush City.
3. Green Barn Sunflower Field – Isanti
📍 265th Avenue NE, Isanti, Minnesota
Green Barn Sunflower Field has become a popular sunflower destination north of the Twin Cities.
The sunflower field is located across Highway 65 from Green Barn Garden Center, with its own designated entrance and parking area.
One of the best things about this field is that the sunflowers are planted in stages. That helps extend the bloom window rather than having the entire field peak at the exact same time.
For 2026, Green Barn has planted its sunflowers and is tentatively planning its sunflower season for approximately August 8 through September 8, although the farm emphasizes that dates can change depending on weather and bloom conditions.
There are walking paths throughout the field, making it easy to find different photo angles without stepping into or damaging the flowers.
And if you’re traveling with your dog, this is one of the sunflower fields where leashed pets are allowed in the field. Just keep in mind that pets aren’t permitted inside the garden center.
Admission
Green Barn has not yet posted its final 2026 admission price, so check its website before visiting.
Parking is free.
Best Time to Visit
The tentative 2026 season runs from early August through early September.
If walking long distances is difficult, Green Barn recommends visiting toward the end of the season because its final planting is located closer to the front of the property.
Photo Tip
Stay until evening if you can. Visitors who enter before closing are generally allowed to stay until sunset, giving you a chance to photograph the flowers in that beautiful soft evening light.
4. Country Sunshine – Brainerd
📍 2911 145th Avenue SE, Brainerd, Minnesota
Heading to the Brainerd Lakes Area? Add Country Sunshine to your late-summer itinerary.
This flower farm grows several acres of sunflowers and opens its Sunflower Stroll during bloom season.
Visitors can follow paths winding through the sunflower field with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Sunflowers typically bloom here during August and September, making this one of the later-season options on this list.
Even better, your admission includes a sunflower stem to bring home!
Country Sunshine also grows specialty cut flowers and offers U-pick flower opportunities at select times, so flower lovers will definitely want to spend some time exploring.
Admission
The Sunflower Stroll is currently listed at:
$5 per person
or
$20 per carload
Each visitor receives one sunflower stem to take home.
Best Time to Visit
Plan for August through September.
farm posts specific open dates and times as the flowers begin blooming, so check its calendar before visiting.
Make a Day of It
Since you’re already in the Brainerd Lakes Area, turn your sunflower visit into a full summer day trip. Grab lunch in Brainerd, spend some time exploring the area, and visit the field later in the day when the light is softer.
5. The Oxbow – Madelia
📍 81646 305th Street, Madelia, Minnesota
If your Minnesota road trip takes you toward the southern part of the state, add The Oxbow to your list.
This small, family-run farm started with an experimental sunflower field in 2024, and the response from visitors inspired the owners to keep growing.
For 2026, The Oxbow is expanding beyond sunflowers with additional field-grown cut flowers, making it an especially pretty stop for flower lovers.
Visitors can stroll through the fields, take photos, and cut flowers to bring home.
Admission
Admission is just $5 per car and includes:
Entry to the flower fields
Five cut flower stems to take home
Additional flowers are $1 per stem, or you can fill one of the farm’s mason jars for $20.
Best Time to Visit
The Oxbow has not announced its exact 2026 opening dates yet because opening depends on when the flowers bloom.
Check the farm for current updates before planning your trip.
What to Bring
The farm recommends bringing bug spray, sunscreen, scissors or garden clippers, and a container for transporting your flowers home.
Pets are not allowed in the flower fields.
BONUS: Afton Apple Orchard Flower Festival – Hastings
📍 14421 90th Street South, Hastings, Minnesota
If you want to combine sunflowers with one of Minnesota’s classic fall orchard experiences, plan a visit to Afton Apple Orchard.
The orchard’s annual Flower Festival features sunflower and zinnia fields where visitors can wander, take photos, and enjoy late-summer blooms.
The tentative 2026 Flower Festival dates are August 22–23, August 29–30, and September 5–6.
That timing also lines up with the beginning of apple season, making this a great place to transition from summer activities into all things fall.
General orchard admission for 2026 is currently listed at $7 for ages 5+ and $5 for ages 4 and younger. Flower Festival access and cut flowers may have additional fees, so check the orchard’s current festival information before visiting.
Tips for Taking Photos in a Sunflower Field
Let’s be honest—half the fun of visiting a sunflower field is getting the photos! 🌻📸
Here are a few simple tricks for getting beautiful sunflower pictures.
Visit During Golden Hour
If the farm allows evening visits, arrive during the final hour or two before sunset. The softer light is much more flattering than harsh midday sunshine and gives the entire field a warm glow.
Wear Colors That Stand Out
White, cream, denim, soft blue, rust, pink, or even a pretty floral dress all photograph beautifully against yellow sunflowers and green leaves.
Try to avoid wearing a lot of bright yellow—you’ll blend right into the flowers.
Get Down Low
Instead of taking every photo at eye level, have your photographer crouch slightly and shoot upward. It can make the sunflower field look even larger.
Use the Rows
Look for pathways between the flowers and use them as natural leading lines in your photos.
Take Candid Photos
Walk through the field, look at the flowers, laugh, or turn away from the camera. Some of the best photos are the ones that don’t look overly posed.
Don’t Damage the Flowers
Never step between rows unless the farm has created a designated path, and don’t pick flowers unless the farm specifically allows it.
What to Bring to a Minnesota Sunflower Field
Sunflower fields are beautiful, but remember—you are still visiting a working farm.
A few things can make your visit much more comfortable:
Comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting dusty or muddy
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Water
Sunglasses
Hat
Phone or camera
Portable phone charger
Small blanket if picnics are permitted
Garden clippers if you’re visiting a U-pick farm that allows them
Container or bucket for transporting cut flowers
Cash, since some smaller farms prefer it
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