Dix Park sunflowers start blooming. Here's what you need to know

The sunflowers at Dix Park have started blooming!

Earlier this year, 280,000 sunflower seeds were planted at Dix Park. On July 12, the city of Raleigh posted an update on its website, saying the sunflowers were 10% in bloom and days away from full bloom.

https://twitter.com/dixpark/status/1679188990086508544?s=46&t=kp4BKFxhydJLeNOk5optrw

The sunflower field is located along Hunt Drive between Western Boulevard and Umstead Drive. The public can visit for free seven days a week from dawn until dusk.

Parking for Dix Park sunflowers

On weekdays, visitors should use the gravel parking lot off Hunt Drive and the parking lot near the Magnolia Room, 1800 Umstead Drive. On weekends, visitors can use any parking lot at Dix Park.

According to the city, the best park entrances to use are the Hunt Drive entrance from Western Boulevard and Blair Drive entrance from Centennial Parkway.

Port-a-johns will be available near the sunflower field and Magnolia Room, and indoor restrooms are available in the The Chapel during visitor hours.

New this year, accessible pathways to the sunflower field will lead from ADA parking located at 1800 Umstead Drive into the picnic area.

Food trucks at Dix Park on Fridays and Saturdays

The event has grown so much in recent years that food trucks will be on site each Friday and Saturday during peak bloom. The current schedule for 2023 is as follows:

• Fridays: July 14 and July 21 from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Saturdays: July 15 and July 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.

On July 15 and July 22, there will also be live acoustic music from local artists and beer from Trophy Brewing between 5 and 8 p.m.

Tips for Dix Park sunflowers visitors

• Professional photography is allowed, but all commercial film or photography in a city of Raleigh Park requires a permit. You can apply for an annual film permit directly through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department at 919-996-4510 or kathryn.gebhardt@raleighnc.gov.
• Dix Park recommends visitors wear bug repellent, sunscreen and closed-toed shoes. The terrain will be rough in many areas.
• Try to visit early in the morning or around sunset, before or after the hottest part of the day.
• "Golden hour" right before sunset, around 7:30 p.m., is a beautiful time to visit the park.
• Use sun protection: Consider hats, long sleeves and long pants.
• Stay on the trails. Do not pick flowers or eat the seeds.
• Pets are allowed, but they must be on a leash.
• Port-a-johns will be available near the sunflower field and Magnolia Room.
• People can email info@dixpark.org or call 919-996-3255 with questions.

What is not allowed at the Dix Park sunflowers

• Picking/cutting the flowers
• Eating the sunflower seeds
• Off-leash pets
• Outside alcoholic beverages
• Smoking or vaping
• Weapons of any kind
• Littering
• Drones or other aerial devices

Send WRAL your photos of the sunflowers

We'd love to see your best photos! You can email photos to reportit@wral.com or upload your photos here.

For a few years, Raleigh Water would harvest the sunflower seeds after the flowers wilted to make biofuel. Now, the flowers are left for the birds and other wildlife to eat throughout the fall.