Every spring the Pacific Northwest turns into a carpet of blooming wildflowers. The greatest way to explore meadows of blooming wildflowers is to go on wildflower hikes in Oregon or Washington.

While the blooming season starts as early as April, the peak bloom of PNW wildflowers varies each year and can last until June and summer. In this guide, I’ll take you to the best wildflower hikes in Oregon and Washington, share locations, blooming times, and things to know before you plan your wildflower trip.

Best wildflower hikes in Oregon + Washington

While different types of wildflowers grow across the entire Pacific Northwest, the best wildflower hikes are located in the Columbia River Gorge. On both sides, Oregon and Washington, yellow balsamroot and purple lupines dominate the steep hills between April and June.

The area between Portland, Hood River, and The Dalles is home to easy, and challenging hikes that take you up mountain summits, to waterfalls, and magnificent views.

Best wildflower hike Oregon

#1 Tom McCall Point

Tom McCall Point is one of the most popular wildflower hikes in Oregon and there is a good reason. The in-and-out trail with moderate elevation gain takes you through endless meadows of yellow balsamroot and purple lupines dotted with red paintbrush.

• Distance: 4.8 miles / 7,3 km
• Elevation: 1,309 ft / 400 m
• Trail type: out & back
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: wildflower meadows, views of Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood & Mt Adams
• Location: Mayer State Park / Rowena Crest Viewpoint
• Parking pass/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: No dogs allowed

The further you get uphill the denser the wildflower carpet and the better the views: As you ascend two snowy peaks come into view: Mt. Hood opens up in front and you probably don’t want to turn your head away. But make sure to take a look across the Columbia River on your right side as Mt. Adams becomes visible in the distance.

The trail partly leads through a shady forest, which gives you a nice break from the sun on your way uphill. From the summit, you have 360 views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and Rowena Plateau. You can even continue your trail to a viewpoint by following the narrow path on your right for some higher elevated views.

Wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge (Oregon)

#2 Rowena Plateau Trail

Rowena Plateau Trail is a great alternative to Tom McCall Point. Both trails share the same parking lot, they just start in opposite directions. While Tom McCall Point leads you uphill, Rowena Plateau Trail is fairly flat and only half the length. This makes it an easy hike, doable for families with kids. Even though it’s shorter and less steep, the trail doesn’t lack Gorge(ous) views over the Columbia River and meadows full of balsamroot and lupines.

• Distance: 2 miles / 3,2 km
• Elevation: 278 ft / 84,7 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: easy
• Features: balsamroot, lupines, views of Columbia River Gorge
• Location: Mayer State Park / Rowena Crest Viewpoint
• Parking pass/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: No dogs allowed

No matter if you are hiking Tom McCall Point or Rowena Plateau, don’t miss to take a look from Rowena Crest Viewpoint, the famous horseshoe bend of the Historic Columbia Highway.

#3 Memaloose Hills

While this hike is on public land (Mt. Hood National Forest), the trail is unofficial and starts at Memaloose Overlook. Memaloose Rest Area off I-84 is no longer allowed for hiker’s parking. Be respectful of private properties and don’t block the road.

• Distance: 2.8 miles / 4,5 km
• Elevation: 600 ft / 183 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: balsamroot + lupines, views of Mount Hood + Mount Adams
• Location: Memaloose State Park (Memaloose Overlook) / Mt. Hood National Forest
• Parking/fee: no parking fee or pass required, but limited parking
• Pets: dogs allowed

#4 Mosier Plateau

This trail located in Mosier crosses Mosier Creek and starts with Mosier Creek Falls before leading you uphill to the plateau’s edge.

• Distance: 2.7 miles / 4,3 km
• Elevation: 728 ft / 222 m
• Trail type: out & back
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: waterfall and wildflowers
• Location: Mosier Plateau Preserve
• Parking/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Wildflower hikes on the Oregon Coast

While the yellow and purple fields of balsamroot and lupines can only be found in the Columbia River Gorge, it doesn’t mean other parts of Oregon don’t offer great wildflower hikes. These Oregon Coast hikes are worth a visit, in or off wildflower season:

• #5 Cascade Head – This Oregon Coast trail needs to be on this list of best wildflower hikes in Oregon as Cascade Head Preserve is home to very rare wildflowers like hairy checkermallow and the Cascade Head catchfly (which can only be found here)
• #6 Saddle Mountain (currently closed) – home to endemic wildflowers
• #7 Mary’s Peak – highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range 4,097 ft / 1.249 m

Glacier lilies, Indian paintbrush, and more wildflowers can be found in late spring + summer.

Wildflower hikes near Portland

• #8 Tryon Creek State Natural Area – popular for Trilliums, typically blooming in April + May
• #9 Iron Mountain – 300 types of wildflowers & popular with hummingbirds
• #10 Powel Butte Nature Park – with great views of Mt. Hood & Mt. Saint Helens

Best Wildflower hike Washington

#11 Dog Mountain Trail

Dog Mountain is by far the most beautiful wildflower hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. It’s steep, long, and will definitely kick your ass, but the challenging hike is so worth it.

• Distance: 7.6 miles / 12 km
• Elevation: 2,988 ft / 911 m
• Trail type: loop trail or out & back (depending on what your you choose)
• Difficulty: challenging
• Features: meadows of wildflowers on steep hills, Gorge(ous views) from the summit
• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near Carson
• Parking pass/fee: NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass and permits on weekends between April and June
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

The first part of the trail takes you through lush forest. An endless carpet of yellow balsamroot is waiting for you at the top. The last mile of the trail already is stunning and from the summit, you’ll have panorama views of the Columbia River Gorge. Even the top of Mt. Hood sneaks through the as you face East.

The hike is an absolutely stunning sunset destination. Make sure you bring your headlamp as descending in the dark isn’t easy on this steep trail.

I’ve written a full blog post on how to hike Dog Mountain and things you need to know to prepare for your spring wildflower hike, including up-to-date permit information. Read my article here:

Wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge (Washington)

#12 Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail

This 5-mile-long out-and-back trail is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge: Opposite Mayer State Parke, where you find the trails to Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point. Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail is named for the former cherry orchard at the top of the bluffs. While you can still see a few aging trees, don’t expect many blooms or fruit. Rather go for the superb wildflowers.

• Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
• Elevation: 1,220 ft / 372 m
• Trail type: out & back
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: bluff views of Columbia River Gorge
• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, near The Dalles (Oregon)
• Parking pass/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

#13 Catherine Creek Arch Loop

Catherine Creek Day Use Area is home to several trails that feature wildflowers in spring. Catherine Creek Arch Loop Trail takes you to two waterfalls, some beautiful views, and a rock arch that seems out of place in the environment.

• Distance: 1.9 miles / 3 km
• Elevation: 383 ft / 117 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: easy
• Features: waterfall, stone arch, and spring flowers
• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near Lyle
• Parking pass/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

More trails at Catherine Creek Day Use Area:

• #14 Catherine Creek West Loop
• #15 Catherine Creek-Rowland Basin Loop

#16 Coyote Wall

Coyote Wall is a moderate to difficult hike with steep inclines that rewards with gorgeous views and wildflowers including balsamroot and lupines. Many trails connect here so it is easy to extend or shorten your hike to an out and back.

• Distance: 6.8 miles / 11 km
• Elevation: 1,624 ft / 495 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: balsamroot and lupines
• Location: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near White Salmon
• Parking pass/fee: no parking fee or pass required
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

#17 Dalles Mountain Trail + Dalles Mountain Ranch

Columbia Hills State Park is home to several wildflower hikes and one is extremely popular for photographers: Dalles Mountain Trailhead leads you to the famous “rusted car at Dalles Mountain Ranch after only 10 min of walking 0.5 miles (0,8km). This spot is extremely popular during sunset in spring, not only for professional photographers.

• Distance: 10.6 miles / 17 km
• Elevation: 2,355 ft / 717 m
• Trail type: out and back
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: Multiple trails and rustic old-timer after 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
• Location: Columbia Hills State Park, Dalles Mountain Road
• Parking pass/fee: Discover Pass
• Pets: No dogs allowed

#18 Columbia Hills Vista Loop Trail

If you are up for hiking you can take the Columbia Hills Vista Loop Trail or the shorter 4.8 mile / 7,2 km loop. Both start at the same trailhead off Highway 14.

• Distance: 6.4 miles / 10,3 km
• Elevation: 977 ft / 298 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: Multiple trails and an old-timer, so this is a popular photography spot
• Location: Columbia Hills State Park
• Parking pass/fee: Discover Pass
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

#19 Hamilton Mountain

Hamilton Mountain is another great hike with breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge. This trail is worth hiking all year. Besides wildflowers, it takes you by Rodney Falls at the very beginning before it inclines up to panorama views of the Columbia River Gorge.

• Distance: 8.1 miles / 13 km
• Elevation: 2,286 ft / 697 m
• Trail type: loop trail
• Difficulty: challenging
• Features: waterfall + breathtaking views
• Location: Beacon Rock State Park
• Parking pass/fee: Discover Pass
• Pets: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Wildflower hikes at Mt. Rainier National Park

Like in Oregon, wildflower hikes in Washington cannot only be found in the Columbia River Gorge. Even though it’s the area with the iconic yellow and purple hills lined with balsamroot and lupines. When the super bloom at the Columbia River Gorge is over, wildflowers only start blooming in other regions.

In the higher elevations of the Cascade Mountains, wildflowers will not start blooming before July. The Paradise and Sunrise areas of Mt. Rainier National Park are well known for their wildflower hikes in summer. Find alpine asters, bear grass, lupines, daisies, paintbrush, and more.

For details, check out my friend’s blog EmbraceSomePlace where Antonina shares her 10 favorite wildflower hikes at Mt. Rainier.

When do wildflowers in Oregon and Washington bloom?

Wildflowers in Oregon and Washington typically bloom between April and June with peak bloom in May. Peak bloom is when 70% of the blossoms are out and this highly depends on temperatures and spring showers.

The blooming season always starts in the Southern and Eastern, more dry parts of both states, and moves North and West. Wildflowers in higher elevations will come out later. So, the peak bloom doesn’t only depend on the location, but also high up the trail will take you.

Dog Mountain is a great example: While wildflowers in nearby locations at the Columbia River Gorge will be at their peak bloom, the balsamroot at the summit of Dog Mountain hasn’t even started. Wildflower season at Mt. Rainier in Washington and Mt. Hood in Oregon typically doesn’t start before July and lasts throughout August.

Map of wildflower hikes in Oregon + Washington

To find the locations of the best wildflower hikes in Oregon and Washington State, scroll through this map and plan your wildflower road trip:

Types of wildflowers blooming in the Pacific Northwest

Yellow balsamroot and violet lupines are the most seen wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge, followed by red paintbrush and orange California poppies. The balsamroot is my favorite wildflower as it looks like a tiny version of real sunflowers. It’s also called Oregon’s sunflower.

The best part: Balsamroot and lupines bloom at the same time, creating a brilliant mix of yellow and purple.

California poppies look like a tiny and orange version of red poppies that you don’t see too often in the Pacific Northwest. But this smaller, orange version can even be found on roadsides.

White Trilliums are another widely spread wildflower found in the Pacific Northwest. But this isn’t all: There are countless types of wildflowers growing in Oregon and Washington and the closer you look, the more colors, shapes, and sizes you’ll find.

More wildflowers growing in the Pacific Northwest:

• Daises
• Asters
• Lilies
• Bear grass

Wildflower resources

As wildflower season varies every year due to weather conditions, it can be smart to do some research on when the wildflowers in different areas start blooming. Especially when you are planning a road trip to see the wildflowers in full bloom, you don’t want to be a week early or too late. It can be very different each year and some resources give detailed info about live blooming status.  

These are great online resources I use to plan my wildflower hikes:

AllTrails

The AllTrails Hiking App isn’t only a great resource to plan your hikes in general. Thanks to the filter function you can look for specific hikes that feature wildflowers. Reviews and images of other hikers will tell you about the status of the wildflower bloom.

Oregon Wildflowers

On the website Oregon Wildflowers you can find wildflower reports submitted by visitors and hikers. It showcases Oregon’s current wildflower blooming status.

Washington Trails Association

This website Washington Trails Association (wta.org) shows more detailed trail reports than Alltrails and can be used for planning hiking trips in Washington (not limited to wildflower status)

Wildflower Search

The website Wildflower Search lists various wildflower types and their typical blooming season. It’s a great resource for identifying wildflowers and you can search for locations.

Prepare your wildflower hike: Things to know before you go

Permit systems + parking passes

Wildflower season is an extremely popular time for hikers, photographers, and nature-lovers alike. This means parking lots can be full and trailheads crowded, especially on the weekends during peak bloom. Only one reason why permit systems are seen more often at popular spots:

To drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway 30 for example, visitors need a Waterfall Corridor Permit on weekends between May 24 through September 5th.

Dog Mountain can only be visited with a permit on weekends between April 23 and June 12. So, always do your research before heading somewhere, plan ahead, and try to avoid peak times.

Make sure to bring your NW Forest Pass, Discover Pass, Oregon State Parks Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass depending on the trail you are headed.

Not sure what pass to bring? Check out my article about the best hikes in Oregon, where I explain the different passes. If you are unsure, check AllTrails or Forest Service website!

Plants + Wildlife

It might not seem obvious, but the Columbia River Gorge is home to rattlesnakes and tiny creatures like the nocturnal Northwest scorpion as well as black bears and mountain lions. Even if only seen rare, be cautious and prepared. Avoid hiking alone, especially in the dark, be loud, and don’t bring smelly food.

You don’t want to get in contact with poison oak either, especially not if you are allergic. This plant is very common in the PNW. So, watch out, don’t leave the trails, and think twice if you need to step off the trail.

Important: Respect nature and leave no trace!

Don’t pick or trample on wildflowers! Leaving trails will destroy the wildflowers and harm the areas they are growing in. As much as you like the colorful meadows as much do others, so please leave wildflowers for everyone to admire and protect the areas for the future.

Pack in and pack out and follow the Leave no Trace principles.

Pets: Pets are not allowed on all trails, but often they are welcome on leash. Please read about restrictions, respect leash laws and avoid taking pets on trails that prohibit them.

Wildflower photography

Remember: Even if you’ve seen images of people standing on a carpet of wildflowers, respectful photographers will always make sure to find angles that don’t show the trail they are actually standing on.

In this image for example it looks like I am walking through the wildflowers. In reality, there is a little path and I positioned my camera in a way that it’s not visible in the image.

Photography gear

Use a tripod to take pictures of yourself. You can also position the tripod without having to step on the meadows.

Aim for sunrise or sunset as the direct sun creates sharp shadows and unwanted bright colors.

Bring different lenses:

• Wide-angle to capture meadows of flowers
• Tele lens to capture wildflowers with mountain views in the distance and take portraits without trampling on wildflowers.  

What to wear? Packing list

When going for a wildflower hike, you’ll be in nature and spring is the peak season for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks, too. I recommend wearing long sleeves and pants as well as good-traction hiking boots.

Bring sun protection and extra water as well as layers.

It’s always windy in the Columbia River Gorge, also on sunny days. Especially Rowena Crest, where Tom McCall Point and other wildflower hikes are located, is well known for its strong winds. Always keep in mind that if you climb a mountain (like Dog Mountain), you have to expect cooler temperatures at the summit and in windy areas.

Headlamp: Ever thought of going for a sunset wildflower hike? Don’t forget your headlamp as you’ll need to head back in the dark.

Things to do in the Columbia River Gorge

Done with wildflower hiking? Drive the Hood River Fruit Loop, visit local farms to pick your own cherries and berries, cut a lavender bouquet, or go winetasting.

Chase some waterfalls. The Columbia River Gorge is home to countless waterfalls that are roaring in spring. Don’t miss the chance to hike to some of the best waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest.

More flower inspiration

Missed the wildflower season? No worries, save this article to plan your wildflower hikes next season. In the meantime, check out Oregon’s best flower fields, tulip festivals, and lavender farms:

• Cherry blossom in Portland
• Local’s guide to flower fields and festivals in Oregon
• Oregon’s best 20 lavender fields from Portland to Hood River Valley
• Best spots to catch Portland fall colors
• Everything you need to know before hiking Dog Mountain Trail in spring

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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you ever been to Oregon or Washington and were looking for colorful flower fields like tulips, lavender, or sunflowers? Leave me a comment! Do you like the article, or still have any suggestions, feedback, or recommendations? Feel free to share this article with your friends!

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