Where to Find Wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest
There is no shortage of natural beauty around the Pacific Northwest, but if you time it right, you might just be in for a real treat when wildflowers are in bloom. Usually between April to August, you can find fields of color if you know where to look. We’ve gathered a few of our favorites, but by no means a complete list. Grab your cameran and get out for a hike and see the world in bloom!
Camas Lilies in late April at the Washington Mima Mounds photo by Washington DNR
Mima Mounds National Area Preserve
Between Olympia and Centralia, WA is a fascinating natural area set aside to showcase the pockmarked landscape. With regular spacing and all about the same height, they become especially unique in mid Spring when the wild camas lilies form waves of light purple.
Flowers you’ll find: Camas lily in late April
Mount Hood Trails
On multiple trails around the base of Mount Hood and even across the river at the old lava tubes, you can find creamy white popsicle flowers called bear grass.
Flowers you’ll find: beargrass – fluffy white stalks of flower heads on tall sturdy stems that look right out of a Dr. Seuss illustration.
Beargrass flowers near Mt. Hood, Photo by US Forest Service
Olympic National Forest
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is the main entrance for visitors heading out to explore the Olympic National Forest. The area is massive, and there are many different levels of hiking trails available. Stop in at the Visitor’s Center to pick up a guide and find out where the wild flowers are blooming right now. Not far from the Visitor’s Center between April and July you’ll find flowers without having to go too far.
Flowers you’ll find: Trillium, pink foamflower, fringecup, bleeding heart
Hurricane Ridge, Photo by Steve Voght on flickr
Balfour-Klickitat day-use area
This former homestead is now a small park open for visitors to come and explore the native flowers, grasses, and wildlife. Located on the eastern edge of the Columbia River Gorge, you’ll also enjoy beautiful views.
flowers you’ll find: purple grass widows, yellow arrowleaf balsamroot
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
In Southwest Washington, there are two options for visiting Mount St. Helens. The Windy Ridge Interpretive Center is on a winding, nervewracking road that offers spectacular views if you aren’t afraid of heights. It is only open in the summers. Access is from the north end, through Randall. The more frequented National visitor’s center is at the Johnston Ridge Observatory 50 miles east of Castle Rock.
flowers you’ll find: red paintbrush in summer, purple lupins in mid spring
Yaquina Head Area of Outstanding Natural Area
Along the Oregon coastline, you might happen up on swathes of pink clinging to the rocky outcrops. These tough flowers fight difficult conditions but make for stunning photos. In summer, you’ll find fireweed – a dark pink 3-4′ tall flower that eventually gets large tufts of white seeds to set flight in the breeze. It can also be found inland. Earlier in spring, you might find tufts of medium pink ameria (thrift.) Standing just 6-8″ tall, these flowers can also be found on the rocky formations near Depoe Bay.
Flowers you’ll find: Fireweed, armeria
Fireweed Flowers Photo by Meredith Matherly, BLM
Columbia River Gorge – Mosier Plateau Trail
For those able to do the hike, there are several trails that skirt the top of the Columbia River Gorge, offering spectacular views and surprising hillsides covered with wildflowers. The Mosier Plateau Trail is a 3.5 mile hike with an elevation gain of 600 ft, but offering great rewards for those who can do it. Dog Mountain trail is labeled “Strenuous.” Before you head out on a hike, we recommend referring to the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge website to find the hike good for your level of fitness.
flowers you’ll see: Yellow sunflower-like balsamroot
Camassia Nature Preserve
This little hidden gem is a 22 acre preserve in West Linn, Oregon just south of Portland with narrow walking trails allowing visitors to wander close to a native wildflower used by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest for food. The beautiful blues and purples of camassia are best seen in late April and early May.
flowers you’ll see: Camassia, rare white rock larkspur
Photo by Keri Logan on flickr
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
West of Salem, Oregon, this natural area has a looping trail through an oak forest and along open paths overlooking the Willamette Valley. In summer, you’ll come across several endangered wildflowers, butterflies, and birds.
Flowers you’ll see: Queen Anne’s Lace, golden paintbrush, Kincaid’s lupin, Willamette daisy, Nelson’s Checkermallow
Queen Anne’s Lace Photo by Dawn Woolcott
Ruth Pennington Trillium Trail at Tryon State Park, SW Portland
This urban park may be close to the city, but feels a world away. Located between south Portland and Lake Oswego, this natural park offers trails to hike for all levels, bridges, horse paths, and the chance to see trilliums in their natural habitat.
Flowers you’ll see: In early April, go to see the native trillium flowers
William Finley National Wildlife Refuge
South of Corvallis, Oregon, you’ll find an oasis of open fields, oak forests, and wildlife.
Flowers you’ll see: In April, find purple camassia, monkeyflower
Photo by George Gentry, USFWS
Columbia Hills State Park,
Klickitat County WA
Flowers you’ll see: Head out in mid April to see the balsam root and lupines
Balsam Root Photo by Jim Choate on Flickr
Mount Rainier National Park Trails
Wildflowers abound in this beautiful and extensive park. There are many trails to choose from, so we recommend checking in with the park’s website for clues as to which flowers are blooming and where.
Tatoosh Lake in early August, Photo by Jeff Hollett on Flickr
Get up to date info on which wildflowers are in bloom on OregonWildflowers.org
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