15 Epic Spring Hikes in Washington & Oregon

The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming, the days are becoming longer, and spring has finally sprung in the Pacific Northwest! Spring is such a beautiful time to hike here in Washington and Oregon since all the winter rain and snow makes for the most ideal conditions for lush green mossy trails, flowing waterfalls, and meadows of vibrant yellow Balsamroot and purple Lupines! Grab your camera, a good pair of hiking boots, roll the windows down, turn up your favorite playlist, and get ready to explore some of the most beautiful spring hikes here in the Pacific Northwest!

Spring Playlist

Research + Navigation

I recommend downloading the Alltrails app – this is the best app in my opinion for finding trails that are suitable for hiking or backpacking. You can filter out the trails you are searching through with the keywords like “Wildflowers,” “Waterfall,” and “Lake” for example so you can find your very perfect spring hiking trail! Also, we love using Washington Trails Association Trip Reports , it is another great place to research trails and look up recent trip reports. But keep scrolling – we have plenty of beautiful trail recommendations for spring hiking in Washington and Oregon.

Passes for hiking in Washington & Oregon

To hike most of the trails in Washington you need a Discover Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass (or can pay the entry fee to the national park). Check Alltrails to see if the trail you are going to require one of these passes.

Map

What to pack

Insulated Jacket: If you need extra insulation under your jacket or just want a lighter weight insulated jacket – the Patagonia Nano puff is my absolute favorite jacket and the one I wear the most out of any of my jackets.

Rain Jacket: Olympic National Park is known for rain so come prepared with a good rain jacket. My favorite investment has been the Arcteryx Rain Jacket. I love how small it packs down and how dry it keeps me on rainy days in the PNW.

Leggings: I love hiking in leggings since they are more comfortable to me than hiking pants. Bonus points if they have pockets! My favorite pair linked here.

Tops & Base layers: Base layers are a must when hiking in the PNW. They’ll keep you warm and dry while also being breathable! I also love wearing these at night while camping or backpacking to keep me warm. My favorite base layer top and bottom are linked! It may seem pricey but it’s so worth it to invest in a quality base layer the performs well AND will last you for years and years.

Sports Bra: my favorite linked here.

Hiking Boots/Shoes: Highly suggest water resistant and durable hiking boots here in the PNW. My absolute favorite are my Danner Adrika Hiking Boots. They keep my feet warm and dry, are lightweight, and stylish!

Hiking socks: Keep your feet warm and dry. My go-to hiking socks are REI or Darn Tough.

Camera & Equipment: Don’t forget your camera to capture all of the beauty! All my camera equipment that I use is linked here.

First Aid Kit: Always, always come prepared and have a first aid kit handy.

Day Pack: Protect your camera, hiking. gear and beloved snacks from the rain. Day pack linked here.

Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated on the trails.

Water Reservoir: These are next level and help keep you more hydrated on the trails. They store more water and are lighter than the stainless steel refillable water bottles. The straw from the reservoir feeds up to your backpack strap for easy sipping and hiking at the same time.

Sunglasses: Indeed the sun does shine in the PNW. Bring your sunnies!

Headlamp: Great for hiking in the dark before sunrise hikes or after sunset hikes. Linked here.

Beanie: Keep your noggin and ears nice and toasty.

Sunscreen:  Again, the sun indeed does shine in the PNW! Lather up and avoid getting sunburnt.

AllTrails Subscription: Download offline trail maps, search for hikes in the area.

Leave No Trace

Please do your part to keep our National Parks wild and beautiful and leave them better than you found them. Pack out everything you pack in, stay on designated trails (please do not trample wildflowers), and be mindful and respectful these beautiful places.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Lower Falls Creek Trail

Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

Distance: 3.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 695 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discover Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

Even though this is such a long drive from Seattle – this trail had to be added to the list because it is hands down my favorite waterfall in Washington. It is much closer to Portland so make a weekend out of it and book a place down in Portland to visit this trail along with so many other waterfall trails in Oregon!

Dog Mountain

Location: Columbia River Gorge, Washington Side

Distance: 6.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,988 feet

Difficulty: Hard

Pass: America the Beautiful Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

One of the most beautiful wildflower hikes we have ever done. Permits are required to hike on weekends during peak wildflower season, from April 29 – June 19. For more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29902&actid=50

Green Lake Trail

Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Distance: 9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,466 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: America the Beautiful Pass

Dog Friendly: No

This is the perfect late spring / early summer trail to hike that is accessible and snow-free while other trails at higher elevation around Mount Rainier are no accessible due to snow. It was one of the lushest, greenest, and most beautiful trails up to a serene alpine lake. No wonder they call it “green” lake trail! We did this hike in the rain, and the moody conditions were perfection. There’s also a an epic waterfall hike on your hike up called Ranger Falls that you must check out!

Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail

Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Distance: 24.7 miles (hike as much as you’d like and turn around)

Elevation Gain: 3,375 feet

Difficulty: Hard

Pass: Discovery Pass

Drive from Seattle: 1 hour

Dog Friendly: Yes

One of the most beautiful and lush winter hikes we have ever been on. A trail where you can truly choose your adventure and hike for however long and far as you would like. The iconic bridge is not even 1/4 of a mile into the trail over a stunning blue-green river. We only hiked about 2 miles in and then turned around making this a very easy trail for us! The trail weaves in and out of the forest, passing under overhanging cliffs and offering views across the river of jagged Garfield Mountain. Lots of different mushrooms and beautiful forest trails that makes this a must for a snow-free winter hike!

Sage Hills

Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Distance: 12.1 miles (hike as much as you’d like and turn around)

Elevation Gain: 2,089 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discovery Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

This trail is literally wildflower wonderland and is the perfect spring hike! This trail is very exposed with not shade so be sure to wear sun protection and bring plenty of water. Also please note that this trail is closed from Dec. 1 to April 1 to provide winter sustenance and quiet range land for mule deer and other wildlife.

Murhut Falls

Location: Olympic National Forest, Washington

Distance: 1.5 mile

Elevation Gain: 390 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Pass: America the Beautiful Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

Another incredible waterfall hike located on the Olympic Peninsula that is easy to get to! The road to the trailhead is filled with pot holes so be careful and slow on your drive and make sure to have a high clearance video.

Wallace Falls Trail

Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Distance: 4.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,489 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discover Pass

Drive from Seattle: 1 hour

Dog Friendly: Yes

The most epic waterfall close to Seattle – Wallace Falls is a must-do on your hiking list while exploring Seattle. Only being an hour away – it’s a beautiful trail that skirts along a river and up to one of the best waterfalls in Washington state. The forest is incredibly magical and mossy . And one of our favorite parts is that this trail is typically snow-free all year round!

Koosah and Sahalie Falls Trail

Location: Williamette National Forest, Oregon

Distance: 2.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 360 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discovery Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

A moderately easy hike with big pay off views of two of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in Oregon. The water from the Mckenzie River is so blue and is one of my favorite places!

Heather Lake Trail

Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Distance: 5.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,210 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discovery Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

Hike up to a gorgeous alpine lake with a boardwalk looping around the whole lake. The mountains surrounding this lake are utterly breathtaking and the forest hiking up is always so beautiful!

Memaloose Hills

Location: Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Distance: 2.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discovery Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

An easy hike to experience wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge! We went end of April and the flowers were already starting to be past their peak – so I recommend going early to mid April!

Lake Twenty-Two

Location: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Distance: 6.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,473 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discovery Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

Explore this 6.8-mile loop trail near Granite Falls, Washington in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. Hike through a beautiful old growth forest up to a lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks and is one of our favorite trails to explore every winiter! Be sure to be prepared with microspikes as it can get very snowy and icy at the top. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Mount Townsend

Location: Olympic National Forest, Washington

Distance: 8.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,090 feet

Difficulty: Hard

Pass: Discover Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

This is the perfect hike for early-summer in Olympic National Park. This is a more challenging hike, but the views at the end are so worth it! One of the most beautiful trails I think I’ve ever done!

Lower Lena Lake

Location: Olympic National Forest, Washington

Distance: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,630 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discover Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

The Olympic Peninsula is the perfect location to find snow-free hikes that are beautifully lush and green. This trail might have been the greenest and lushest trail I’ve ever been on!

Trail of Ten Falls

Location: Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Distance: 7.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,151 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pass: Discover $5 at Trailhead

Dog Friendly: No

This trail is literally waterfall wonderland! Hike next to, behind, in front of 10+ waterfalls along this trail if you want to do the full loop! Or you can hike however far you would like to go and turn around at any time. But highly recommend doing the full loop because there are so many epic waterfalls!

Rosario Head Trail

Location: Deception Pass State Park, Washington

Distance: 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 206 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Pass: Discover Pass

Dog Friendly: Yes

Looking for an easy hike with ocean views, no snow, and probably some sunshine? This trail is for you! Whenever we hike here it’s always sunny and beautiful and a great escape from the Seattle winter. Hike along the ocean while looking out for wildlife like seals or orcas. This hike is the perfect location to unwind and sit on the rocky beach enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing ashore while exploring and taking in all the coastal views.