Where the Wildflowers Are

If you're like me, one of your favorite things about hiking is the wildflowers. From dainty white blooms under the forest canopy to dancing lupine meadows to the hearty alpine favorites like phlox, stonecrop and bitterroot - there are dozens of species to enjoy.

Most hikes in the Cascades and Olympics have some flowers to enjoy, but where do you go to see the big show and what trails are best for blooms right now?

We've tried to make it a little easier for you by compiling twelve great Wildflower Hikes on the website. Some, like Mount Townsend and Tronsen Ridge, are peaking right now. Others hikes are still a few weeks out, due to lingering snowfields.

How do you find hikes like these? Our Hiking Guide is one place where you can search for "Wildflowers/Meadows." Trip Reports are another, and offer timely reports about which trails are in full bloom. You can do a "Wildflower Blooming" search there too, and browse for the hikes that interest you the most.

Just this week, we're hearing raves about Iron Peak Loop, Navaho Pass, Bandera Mountain, Millersvania State Park, and Norse Peak. Choose one of these or explore somewhere else. It's finally summer in Washington!

And remember, where there are wildlflowers, there are often mosquitoes, so pack some bug spray with your wildflower guide.