9 Easy And Beautiful Spring Hikes Everyone In Oregon Will Love
By Sarah McCosham|Updated on April 10, 2022(Originally published April 05, 2022)
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
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 hikes in Oregon that are absolutely delightful and some of the best of the best.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
6. Toketee Falls Trail
Toketee Falls Trailhead, 7H7F+J3, Clearwater, OR 97447, USA
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.
7. Marys Peak East Ridge Trail
Marys Peak East Ridge Trail Head (a.k.a. Conner's Camp Trailhead), Tidewater, OR 97390, USA
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.
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8. Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205, USA
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.
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.
Do you have any favorite spring hikes in Oregon that didn’t make it in 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!
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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 falls 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?
