The West’s Best Hikes for Spring Wildflowers
It may feel as though the winter snow and rain are never-ending, but all of that precipitation offers a true springtime gift when western landscapes burst into full bloom with wildflowers. From beloved poppies and blue lupines to rare Chocolate Lilies, nature puts on a colorful show every spring. We’ve rounded up some of the best hiking trails to spot wildflowers in all of the west, so all you have to do is grab your hiking boots and flower identification guide and hit the trail. Warning: The wildflower shows are so spectacular, you may never want to leave. Plan ahead and make it a camping trip!
Celebrate the spring season on one of the west’s best wildflower hikes.
1. Dog Mountain
Columbia River Gorge, Washington
Springtime blooms of red paintbrush, blue lupine and yellow balsamroot make a hike up Dog Mountain a sight to behold. The 7-mile round trip hike up Dog Mountain is no laughing matter though, so prepare for a true workout as the steeply graded trail leads you to the top of the mountain. All that hard work pays off with colorful wildflowers and views of Mt. St. Helen’s and the Columbia River Gorge.
2. Cecret Lake Trail
Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
A fairly easy trail that is popular with beginners and families, Cecret Lake Trail is a 1.5-mile round trip hiking trail that many locals claim has the best wildflower hiking in the state of Utah. The trail leads to the teal waters of Lake Crescent, which is surrounded by wildflowers in the warmer months. To avoid the crowds, head out on the Cecret Lake Trail in the evening and stay to watch the sun go down.
3. Anza-Borrego State Park
Borrego Springs, California
Anza-Borrego State Park may be a vast desert landscape, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t the perfect place for wildflower hiking. Some years, the park experiences a phenomenon called the super bloom. During the dry months, seeds of flowers, like the desert sunflower, brown-eyed primrose and desert lily, lie in the ground waiting for water. When the rain finally comes, the desert erupts in color. The super bloom does not happen every year, but one is expected in 2019.
Recommended: Where to Camp in California - Campground Directory
4. Tryon Creek State Natural Area
Portland, Oregon
Located in southwest Portland, the Tryon Creek State Natural Area is close to the city but feels a world away. The park hosts an annual Trillium Festival in April, but the trillium and other wildflowers tend to stick around through the long stretch of springtime. The 5.7-mile Outer Loop Hike is a good way to see the flowers, but the park’s large network of trails allows hikers to string together a hike of any distance.
5. Catalina State Park
Tucson, Arizona
Perched on the northern flanks of the Santa Catalina Mountain Range, Catalina State Park erupts with poppies, lupines, desert chicory and cacti in the springtime. The park has over 5,500 acres of land to explore and hiking trails that range from the easy 1-mile Nature Trail to the 8.6-mile (one way) 50-Year Trail. The Catalina State Park Facebook page posts wildflower updates during the spring season, so follow along and plan to visit when the flowers reach peak bloom.
6. Taylor Canyon Trail
Ketchum, Idaho
This 3.8-mile intermediate loop is a great place to go to catch arrowleaf balsamroot flowers in full bloom surrounded by stunning views of the Pioneer, Boulder and Smoky mountain ranges. Though located close to the city of Ketchum for convenient access, the trail is often overlooked for more popular paths in the area, meaning you’ll have the wildflowers practically to yourself.
Recommended: Idaho State Parks and Recreation Guide
7. Edgewood Park
Redwood City, California
Wildflower lovers in the Bay Area flock to Edgewood Park just outside of Redwood City. Known as one of the best places to see springtime blooms in northern California, dozens of species of wildflowers can be spotted during a single visit. If you want to learn more about the flowers that are blooming right in front of your eyes, the park offers free, guided 3-mile hikes every weekend from March until June.
8. Lost Dutchman State Park
Apache Junction, Arizona
Located in the Sonoran Desert, Lost Dutchman State Park is one of Arizona’s best places to view springtime wildflowers. Ripe with flowering chuparosas, poppies, fiddle necks, globe mallow, lupine, chicory, scorpion weed, bluebell and more, the park explodes in color after a winter with rainfall (2019 is expected to be a great year for wildflowers at the park). Offering a variety of hiking trails for all experience levels, there’s something for every wildflower lover at Lost Dutchman State Park.
9. Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge
Leavenworth, Washington
This challenging 12-mile hike gains over 4,000 feet in elevation as it climbs to a peak elevation height of over 7,000 feet. Those brave enough to hike the popular Washington hiking trail will be rewarded with balsamroot and lupine, as well as rare wildflowers like Tweedy’s Lewisa and Chocolate Lilies, surrounded by stunning views of the Stuart Range and Cashmere Mountain.
Recommended: America’s 13 Best Waterfall Hikes for Spring
10. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Arco, Idaho
Each spring, incredible flower blooms explode at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The bloom begins with the wild onion in late April and continues until the yellow blossoms of the rabbitbrush disappear in September. The park has a number of hiking trails suitable to all experience levels and offers a free wildflower app for tech-savvy park visitors.
11. Cone Peak
Sweet Home, Oregon
The 5-mile round trip hike to Cone Peak in central Oregon rewards visitors with over 300 species and 17 different types of wildflowers. The well-graded hiking trail leads to vibrant wildflower meadows filled with penstemon, larkspur, paintbrush, stonecrop and more. Wildflower experts consider this hike to be one of the best places to spot springtime blooms in Oregon.
Recommended: Where to Camp in Oregon - Campground Directory
12. Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar City, Utah
Home to the annual Wildflower Festival, Cedar Breaks National Monument comes alive in the springtime with blooms of cushion phlox, aspen bluebells, kittentails and more. During the festival, guided hikes by wildlife experts are offered twice daily. If you prefer to hike on your own, try the Alpine Pond Trail that takes hikers through meadows of native wildflowers.
13. Point Reyes National Seashore
Marin County, California
Perhaps the best place in California to spot wildflowers; Chimney Rock is located at the eastern spur of the beautiful Point Reyes Headlands. The Marin County area has up to 90 identified wildflowers, 20 of which are commonly seen in spring. While exploring the trails, look for pussy ears, footsteps-of-spring, violets, baby blue eyes, poppies and other colorful favorites.
