Oregon is full of endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, but our hiking game is particularly strong. Our trails lead to some of the most spectacular places in the country, offering an experience in nature that’s simply unparalleled. As we welcome the new season here in The Beaver State, now is the perfect time to shake the dust off your shoes and hit the trails. Whether you want to see fields of endless wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, clear-blue lakes, or verdant forests, you’ll find it all along the trails in the Beaver State this season. The following are nine easy and beautiful spring trails that may be the best hikes in Oregon. Each one is absolutely delightful!

1. Spencer Butte Trail

Spencer Butte Trail #2, Oregon 97405, USA
Novi Broussard/AllTrails
The 1.7-mile Spencer Butte Trail is a popular hike in Eugene, and in the spring, the hills come alive with color. If it's not too muddy, try the more difficult route up; otherwise, take the easy route! (Both options are marked at the trailhead.) Either way, you'll be rewarded with stellar views.

2. Rowena Plateau Trail

Rowena Plateau Trail, Oregon 97040, USA
Rowena Plateau Trail
Brent YC Fernandez/AllTrails
Rowena Plateau is a stunning viewpoint and trailhead along the Columbia River Highway, offering jaw-dropping views of the Columbia River Gorge. This two-mile trail is breathtakingly beautiful in the spring, bursting with beautiful blooms in every hue. The Rowena Plateau Trail is an enjoyable, straightforward trek that's really perfect for hikers of all ages and skill levels. It's one of the best spring hikes in Oregon!

3. Tom McCall Point Trail

McCall Point Trail, Oregon 97040, USA
C Hiker/AllTrails
Another hike in the Gorge, this 4.8-mile trek features a challenging, 1,210-foot elevation change -- but the end result is so worth it. The view of Columbia River Gorge, painted with seemingly endless spring blooms, is sublime.

4. Trillium Lake Loop Trail

Trillium Lake Loop Trail #761, Oregon 97028, USA
Annie Sexton/AllTrails
Trillium Lake is one of Oregon's most photographed spots. On a clear day, the reflection of Mt. Hood is like a mirror, reflected in the cerulean waters of Trillium Lake. In the springtime, the lake's cold pools seem to take on an even bolder blue hue. Happily, the Trillium Lake Loop Trail is an easy, 1.9-mile journey, making this wonder something everyone can experience.

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5. Mount Scott Trail

Mount Scott, Mt Scott, Oregon, USA
Tami De Mille-Campos/AllTrails
If you haven't experienced the splendor of spring at Crater Lake National Park, definitely put that experience on your bucket list! This pristine place is at its most vivid and stunning in the spring when endless blue skies and wildflower fields paint the scenery in color. The Mount Scott Trail at Crater Lake National Park is around four miles long with some elevation changes but the views from the top are well worth the effort. This is also a great park for spring backpacking in Oregon.

6. Toketee Falls Trail

Toketee Falls Trailhead, 7H7F+J3, Idleyld Park, OR 97447, USA
Michael Nelson Jr/AllTrails
Oregon has some seriously stunning waterfalls, many of which are at their peak in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. One of the state's most charming waterfalls is Toketee Falls, a cascade located in Umpqua National Park. The Toketee Falls Trail is a one-mile, out-and-back trek that offers hikers a front-row ticket to the glorious, 100-foot Toketee Falls. If you're looking for the "best spring hikes near me," make sure you head to this waterfall trail.

7. Marys Peak East Ridge Trail

Marys Peak East Ridge Trail Head (a.k.a. Conner's Camp Trailhead), Tidewater, OR 97390, USA
Raquel Leah/AllTrails
The magnificent Marys Peak towers at more than 4,100 feet; in the spring when it's covered in flourishing wildflowers, this mountain is downright divine. While there are several advanced treks in the area, the Marys Peak East Ridge Trail is just two miles long, making it perfect for an enjoyable little trek.

8. Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205, USA
Portland Japanese Garden/Google Local
If you prefer more of a "stroll" to a "hike," Portland Japanese Garden is calling your name. In the spring, this hidden gem comes alive with cherry blossoms and beautiful blooms, and you can take it all in while enjoying a leisurely stroll around the park's 12 acres.

9. Silver Falls Canyon Trail

Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA
Laura N/AllTrails
The "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system, Silver Falls State Park is a knockout. The park boasts 10 waterfalls and more than 24 miles of walking trails, and the eponymous Silver Falls Canyon Trail is one of the best. Just under a mile long, this trek offers breathtaking waterfall views that will render you speechless. Visit in the spring, and you're sure to enjoy rushing cascades... and maybe even a rainbow.

Another idea for spring in Oregon is to head to the coast and visit Cannon Beach. Take a look at this video by @OnlyInYourStatee:

Do you have any favorite spring hikes in Oregon that didn’t make it on our list? What are your picks for the best hikes in Oregon? Be sure to share your favorite hiking trails with us in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more beautiful springtime hikes in Oregon, definitely plan a little waterfall chasing around the Beaver State!

Before heading out on the trails, make sure to check out our Ultimate Hiking Packing List for everything you need!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Best Hikes In Oregon

Sarah M. | April 10, 2022

What are the best waterfall hikes in Oregon?

There's nothing quite like happening upon a waterfall while wandering the Oregon wilds, which is a fairly common occurrence as our state is positively teeming with incredible cascades! Some of our favorite waterfall hikes in Oregon are located in the Columbia River Gorge, which, as we mentioned, is a veritable treasure trove of falls, boasting 90 on the Beaver State's side alone!

  • For beginners, we recommend Bridal Veil Falls, as the hike to this fall is just a half mile long and is well-paved and easy to navigate. The falls themselves are nothing short of fantastic: there are two drops, and the entire waterfall is about 118 feet. While Bridal Veil isn't the tallest in the Gorge, we think the payoff for such a short hike is pretty extraordinary!
  • Another amazing waterfall hike in the Gorge is Wahclella Falls. This lesser-known cascade in Columbia River Gorge is a vision -- especially in the spring when it's surrounded by verdant green foliage and moss-covered boulders! The blue waters plunge into a cerulean pool that's the perfect place for quiet contemplation -- or dipping your toes on a hot summer's day, too.
  • Finally, for those wishing to take a waterfall hike that winds behind one of these rushing wonders, this is the waterfall to do just that. Ponytail Falls (also known as "Upper Horsetail Falls") is a magical waterfall with a trail circling behind it to give you a one-of-a-kind experience. Standing directly behind the majestic 75-foot waterfall as it pours gracefully into the creek is positively enchanting. What are your favorite waterfall hikes in Oregon?

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