Wildflower season in Washington is a spectacular event, and one well worth planning around so you can enjoy it fully, which is why we've rounded up the 10 best wildflower hikes near Seattle to help with your game plan. They range from easily accessible and short (perfect to enjoy with the kids and a picnic lunch!) to longer distances that are farther afield and more challenging, but utterly worth every bit of effort. Start planning now so you can enjoy peak wildflower season on the very best wildflower trails in the area!
These hikes are listed in no particular order, however each trail includes lots of pictures sourced from recent hikers, information on how far the trail is from Seattle, how long the hike is, whether dogs are allowed, and of course a description of what the hike is like. Enjoy!
- Big Huckleberry Mountain
- Ingalls Creek
- Mima Mounds
- Van Lierop Park
- Ebey's Landing
- Heliotrope Ridge
- Yellow Aster Butte
- Sheep Lake
- Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
- Grand Park, Mt Rainier
1. Big Huckleberry Mountain
Distance from Seattle: 4.5 hours
Mileage: 11.5 miles, roundtrip. You can also hike just 2.2 miles and stop at Grassy Knoll, you'll see plenty of wildflowers on this shorter path, too!
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
It's a bit of a drive to reach this trailhead (and the final bit is rough forest roads) but you'll be justly rewarded with fields of wildflowers and not many other hikers. In fact, the trail starts off directly in a wildflower meadow, then climbs through forest for a bit, before opening up into another even more spectacular flower meadow at Grassy Knoll (2.2 miles). Ambitious hikers can then choose to continue on up to Big Huckleberry's peak - you'll pass through more meadows and more forests, along with some steep and challenging inclines, before you reach the top. Fun fact: if you time it right, you may be able to enjoy daffodils amongst the native wildflowers. People believe a former fire lookout may have planted these in the distant past. Please do not pick anything...and enjoy!
Grassy Knoll trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/grassy-knoll#hike-trailhead-and-map
Big Huckleberry Mountain trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/big-huckleberry-mountain
Above photos courtesy of 1. @ryanjohnson2288 via Instagram and 2. @lindsaynicoco via Instagram
The happiest dog on earth? Who doesn't love running through fields of flowers! Photo courtesy of @ryanjohnson2288 via Instagram
2. Ingalls Creek
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Mileage: 14.4 miles, one way
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
A beautiful hike filled with varied scenery: a rushing river, old growth forests, boulder fields, and of course - wildflowers. In fact, this trail is known for a few rare wildflowers (orchids, to name one). It's a long trail and some love to hike in and camp, however that's not a requirement if you'd like to enjoy the wildflowers for the day. Hike slowly and look carefully for wildflowers and fungi hidden along the way. There are also plenty of charming spots to sit and enjoy the creek (but be careful of fast currents and high waters in the spring)!
Ingalls Creek trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ingalls-creek
Above images courtesy of 1. @helena_hikes via Instagram and 2. @ilopix via Instagram
Gorgeous moody lighting and a field full of lupine, courtesy of @_nathan_harsh via Instagram
We just love this idyllic path through the wildflowers at Ingalls Creek. Photo courtesy of @ilopix via Instagram
3. Mima Mounds
Distance from Seattle: 1 hour 15 minutes
Mileage: 0.5 ADA accessible path + 2 miles of more rugged trails
Dogs: No dogs allowed
Mima Mounds is a lovely sprawling meadow area filled with small bumpy hills and wildflowers. It features both an ADA accessible path as well as 2 additional miles of more rugged wandering opportunities. The reason the mounds exist is a bit of a geological mystery, but there are informational signs you can read onsite to learn more about the natural history of the area. It's the perfect wildflower filled day trip for families with kids or anyone that wants to enjoy nature in a laid back mellow kind of way. Bring a picnic and enjoy the fields of flowers!
Mima Mounds trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mima-mounds
Above images courtesy of 1. @vpiehl via Instagram and 2. @laurabuckmaster via Instagram and 3. @prettygrittytours via Instagram
Beautiful wild daisies mixed with other wildflowers courtesy of @markhoefer via Instagram
4. Van Lierop Park
Distance from Seattle: 40 minutes
Mileage: not really a hike, an 18 acre park where you can wander
Dogs: welcome on a leash
Van Lierop Park is located in Puyallup and isn't so much a hiking trail as a big park where you can roam freely to enjoy an incredible show of lupine (and other wildflowers). There's a paved path, which makes it perfect for families with strollers, strider bikes, and even wheelchairs. You'll catch the best blooms between mid-May and June and on a clear day you'll also be able to enjoy views of Mt Rainier. There's a swinging bench on the north end of the park that you won't want to miss!
Van Lierop location info: https://www.yelp.com/biz/van-lierop-park-puyallup
Images above courtesy of 1. @velvetandsequins via Instagram, 2. via the very cute blog Your Northwest Bestie (check it out for even more photos of the park), and 3. @wandering.tammy via Instagram
Incredible fields of lupine courtesy of @wandering.tammy again!
Sunset views of Mt Rainier while standing in a field of lupine!? Does it get any better? Photo courtesy of @vishalvk1 via Instagram
5. Ebey's Landing
Distance from Seattle: 1 hour 45 minutes (on Whidbey Island)
Mileage: 5.6 miles
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
The hike along the bluff at Ebey's Landing is a wildflower paradise around July. Enjoy this gorgeous coastal trail on the west side of Whidbey Island where you'll enjoy views of working farms, fields of wheat, beach views, and even wildlife...keep your eyes peeled for quail and rabbits! Once you're hiking along the bluff with views of the sea you might even be lucky enough to spot whales.
Ebey's Landing trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ebeys-landing
Unbelievable amounts of yellow wildflowers at Ebey's Landing courtesy of @vineyard.graveyard
Above photos courtesy of 1. @travelchangesyou via Instagram (she's also a professional photographer at @jericacolonphotography) and 2. @pnwpolishgirls via Instagram
6. Heliotrope Ridge
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 40 minutes
Mileage: 5.5 miles
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
Heliotrope Ridge hike is located at Mt. Baker and shares access with a popular climbing route, which means the parking lot is huge and well maintained. You'll meander through forests and meadows, with a number of creek crossings along the way - so be prepared! There are no heliotropes here at all, but there are a number of other beautiful wildflowers so you won't be disappointed. You'll also get to hike close enough to Coleman Glacier to gaze into its icy blue depths. All in all, a varied and fun hike with tons of nature to enjoy!
Heliotrope Ridge trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/heliotrope-ridge
Above photo courtesy of @marcidarcy25 via Instagram
Above two images courtesy of @jessica_finizio11
Above image courtesy of @dreamingeden via Instagram
Image above courtesy of @reaganeli via Instagram
7. Yellow Aster Butte
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 45 minutes
Mileage: 7.5 miles
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
This trail meanders along a south facing slope in the Mt Baker wilderness, not too far from the Canada border, which creates the perfect environment for wildflowers to grow freely! Fall color here is spectacular as well, which means this trail is justifiably quite popular. You'll enjoy a steep climb to start, traverse an avalanche path, then hike through varied forest and meadow terrain. This is a great trail to test out your wildflower identification skills - you'll find a wide variety of species here. Enjoy!
Yellow Aster Butte trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/yellow-aster-butte
Above image courtesy of @mar.car67 via Instagram.
Above photos courtesy of 1. @loknitheadventuredog via Instagram, and 2. @bartlett_adventure via Instagram
Above photo courtesy of @falsetto23 via Instagram
8. Sheep Lake
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 20 minutes
Mileage: 3.6 miles
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
Looking for a charming alpine lake, ringed with craggy peaks? Maybe a place where you can bring the kids for a frolic in wildflower filled meadows and a little (super cold) swim? Sheep Lake might be the hike for you! It's a 1.8 mile out and back trail to reach the lake, without much elevation gain. The trail weaves in and out of pockets of forest and meadow, for a lovely family friendly hike. Dogs are welcome too!
Sheep Lake trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/sheep-lake
Above photo courtesy of @hikingmomma_pnw via Instagram
Above photos courtesy of 1. @thebsharpphoto via Instagram, and 2. @hikingmomma_pnw via Instagram
9. Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 45 minutes
Mileage: 4.2 miles
Dogs: dogs are welcome on a leash
This popular trail near Leavenworth is well marked, mild, and easy to enjoy - feel free to bring the kids on this one! You'll enjoy walking beside Icicle Gorge, crossing a bridge, and passing through a variety of different micro climates. There are a few informational signs along the path that will teach you about the areas flora, fauna, and conservation work. Listen for birds, and keep your eyes out for a variety of different wildflowers.
Icicle Gorge trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/icicle-gorge-loop
Photo above courtesy of @quelque.part.dans.le.temps via Instagram
Photo above courtesy of @markhoefer via Instagram
10. Grand Park, Mt. Rainier
Distance from Seattle: 2 hours
Mileage: 8.7 miles
Dogs: No dogs
This is an iconic hike in Mount Rainier National Park; you'll be hiking directly towards the mountain through a huge wildflower filled meadow. Enough said, right? The meadow is literally miles long (it's the largest meadow in the national park) and is often filled with all manner of wildflowers. Starting at Eleanor Lake (details in trail info below) will save you some miles and enable you to enjoy the wildflower highlights in this area.
Grand Park trail info: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/grand-park-via-lake-eleanor#hike-full-description
Above photo courtesy of @everestmaher via Instagram
Looking for more travel adventures in Washington state? Check out other blog posts on our site: