Hiking in Peak Bloom: 7 Oregon Trails for Spotting Wildflowers

You don’t even have to leave Portland to see wildflowers. The Tryon Creek State Natural Area is an urban escape with nearly 13 kilometers (eight miles) of hiking trails. The park is known for its trillium flowers, a delicate flower with three triangular leaves.

Best time for wildflowers: March and April

This trail runs along portions of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, adding stunning views to the flora and fauna. In addition to 30 species of wildflowers, the trail includes Mosier Creek Falls and a pioneer cemetery, all along 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) of gentle switchbacks.

Best time for wildflowers: April and May

Vast open meadows and a Noble fir forest are nestled in Oregon’s Coast Range. Marys Peak is the tallest in the range and is easily accessible from the town of Corvallis in the Willamette Valley. There are four trail options on Marys Peak, each crossing different points of the mountain’s meadows and forests. Depending on which one you take, you might see Indian paintbrush, spreading phlox and tiger lilies.

Best time for wildflowers: Late May through July

This Central Oregon trail features varied terrain. The Scout Camp Trail traverses Oregon’s high-desert region, leading hikers to rewarding views. The trail transforms before your eyes as you descend into the Deschutes River Canyon. Portions are lined with juniper trees and balsamroot and, of course, wildflowers such as yellow bell, bitterroot and goldthread.

Best time for wildflowers: March through May

Just under an hour north of Newport is a fragile coastal habitat. Cascade Head Preserve includes a moderate hike that winds along a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) trail. The habitat surrounding the trail is home to rare silverspot butterflies, native prairie grasses and wildflowers, including blue violet, goldenrod and hairy checkermallow.

Best time for wildflowers: Mid- to late-June

The rich red and yellow hues of the landscape bring out the natural beauty of the wildflowers. This park in eastern Oregon includes the iconic Painted Hills. Trails in both the Clarno Unit and Painted Hills pass by a variety of wildflowers such as prairie star, yellow bell and bitterroot. Explore for a few hours or a few days – there’s enough to keep even the greatest wildflower enthusiast satisfied.

Best time for wildflowers: April and May

Portland International Airport (PDX) is the state’s largest airport, offering many nonstop domestic flights to Portland from various destinations. From there, travelers can rent a car or fly to smaller airports, including Eugene (EUG), Medford (MFR) and Redmond (RDM).