Washington wildflower hikes: where to see wildflower blooms in spring
When I moved to the Seattle area many years ago, I felt like spring was one of the hardest times of year. You’ve survived a long and dark winter, and now there’s still plenty of rain and the higher altitude mountain trails still aren’t open! Then I discovered the joy of wildflower hiking. The Pacific Northwest wildflower season in the region is long, because you have blooms at lower elevations starting in April and at higher elevations into August. Here are some recommendations for spring Washington and (and a couple Oregon) wildflower hikes!
But first: Leave no trace
Leave no trace principles are about ensuring that humans minimize all possible impact on the environment. It is always important to stay on established trails, pack out your litter, plan ahead and prepare, respect wildlife, and leave what you find, among other considerations. It’s especially critical in more fragile environments where wildflowers grow. You should never pick wildflowers, or step off trail for a photo. And if you see others doing this, gently inform them that these behaviors damage the environment. If hikers treat trails badly, this can result in trail closures. Use nature areas respectfully!
10 incredible Washington and Oregon spring wildflower hikes
- Olalla Canyon, near Leavenworth, WA. This trail is a short jaunt up the hills and into the most spectacular balsamroot bloom I’ve seen. This area has gotten an increase in traffic in recent years and we need to be careful to not harm the area. There is partial shade throughout the trail and a gentle incline, so it’s very family friendly. Please remember to have an alternative option in mind if there is no parking available.
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation: 475 feet
Parking: No parking pass required
2. Hay Canyon, near Leavenworth, WA. This trail is in a similar area to the Olalla Canyon trail, and climbs up an old dirt road to gorgeous blossoms of lupine and balsamroot, with mountain views along the way. This trail is a much quieter option in the area and at 2.1 miles, an easy climb for all. It’s mostly exposed, so come prepared with sun gear and adequate water.
Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation: 990 feet
Parking: No parking pass required
3. Icicle Ridge, near Leavenworth, WA. This trail meanders up to the top of a ridge overlooking Leavenworth and the surrounding areas and has spurts of beautiful balsamroot along the way. This trail would be awesome to combine with the Leavenworth Alpine Coaster!
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 1,750 feet
Parking: No pass required
4. Catherine Creek, near Lyle, WA. This trail is on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge and offers water views alongside wildflowers. It was previously cattle land that has been reclaimed for preservation. You’ll also get to enjoy beautiful views of the water and surrounding hills!
Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation: 380 feet
Parking: No parking pass required
5. Tom McCall Point, near Hood River, OR. This one is epic, with views off Mount Hood and Mount Adams on a clear day in addition to fields of wildflowers. You don’t want to miss this trail if you’re in the Columbia River Gorge. Wind your way up to the top through the fields of flowers and look out over the water and mountains from the top. You can combine with Rowena Plateau if you’re looking for more hiking nearby, too.
Distance: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 1,322 feet
Parking: No pass required
6. Memaloose Hills, near Mosier, OR. Also on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge, this trail has very limited parking and fills up on spring weekends. Police will ticket you if you park along the road so be sure to only park in the designated lot! This trail is better for week days as it gets crowded.
Distance: 2.8 miles
Elevation: 600 feet
Parking: Very limited, but no pass required. Prohibited to park along road!
7. Canyon Crest to Rat Creek Ridge, near Leavenworth. This trail hasn’t been on a single wildflower list I’ve seen, but it had absolutely STUNNING lupine blooms when we were there over Memorial Day weekend.
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 541 feet
Parking: On dirt road, but any car can make it. No pass required.
8. Sauer’s Mountain, near Leavenworth. Parking is limited, trail is dusty and narrow at times, and the wildflowers are fabulous. Have a backup plan in case you can’t get a parking space.
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation: 1,873 feet
Parking: Very limited, free
9. Sage Hills and Kenzie’s Landing are two hikes known for their wildflower bloom that I haven’t yet been to, but am planning to reach eventually.
Where are the spring wildflowers in Washington and Oregon?
There are a few general areas where you tend to find wildflowers in the spring in Washington and Oregon. In Washington, the Leavenworth and Wenatchee areas are a great place to start in April and May. Similarly, the Methow area is known for wildflower blooms early in the season (we haven’t yet made it up there during wildflower time but it’s on my list!)
The Columbia River gorge area is renowned for spring wildflowers in Washington and Oregon. As an added bonus, it has numerous lush waterfalls that are also ideal for spring hiking.
Washington and Oregon wildflower trails: how to find one
There are many more hiking trails to discover with wildflowers in the spring! Here are a few ways you can find them:
- Search Washington Trails Association hike finder. You can actually filter to trails with wildflower blooms! This is the most incredible and underutilized tool (I just learned about it recently despite living in Washington for years).
- Check the PNW wildflower bloom status map. This allows you to see which trails are not yet blooming, when they peak, and when blooms have ended. This resource will help you find Washington spring wildflowers, and also summer wildflowers.
- Join the Facebook group Washington Hikers and Climbers. People are constantly posting photos and hike stories and asking for recommendations there. You can also search the group for keywords like “wildflowers”.
What to wear and bring for Washington wildflower hikes
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Here’s my go-to list for spring wildflower hiking!
- Sun hoodie. I have sun hoodies from REI, Outdoor Research, and Cotopaxi. All are highly rated and offer UV protection. It’s great to not have to apply so much sunscreen. I will say the REI one is significantly heavier weight than the other two, so might actually be a better option in shoulder season like spring!
Consider the colors of where you’re going when picking your sun hoodie or shirt for the day. It generally looks best to have a contrasting color! For example, hiking in green hills among yellow flowers, a bright pink is a great option. - Stretchy bike style shorts. They prevent chafing but keep you cool.
- Sun hat. Don’t buy a cheap no-name brand one. I’ve done this (more than once, unfortunately…) and they simply do not hold up to the wear and tear of an adventurous life. I got this sun hat from NorthFace and the quality difference is huge.
- Daypack. I have a Gregory Jade pack as well as a Cotopaxi pack and have gotten a lot of use out of both of them. I also use a hydration reservoir instead of bottles and it’s a game changer.
- Rain jacket – it can still be pretty rainy in the PNW in spring.
- Wool socks. My favorites are these Darn Tough ones.
- Trekking poles for balance, stability, and joint support
- Sunscreen. I’ve switched to mainly trying out mineral sunscreen and have been loving it. This is my favorite spray on chemical sunscreen.
- Bug spray. Especially if you’ll be in tick areas, using bug spray is a good idea
- Hiking boots. I’ve been loving these this spring.
Spring in the Pacific Northwest was always a tough season for me until I discovered the joy of Washington spring wildflower hikes. Now that you know where to go, I hope you too enjoy the enchanting wildflower season!
