With spring fast approaching, the time is right to get out of the house and hit your favorite hiking trails! If you live in the great state of Oregon, you’re in luck because the hiking trails in the Beaver State are some of the best in the country! From the majestic Multnomah Falls to the serene beauty of the Opal Creek Wilderness, every Oregon hike promises a unique adventure surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re visiting Oregon or just moved here and love hiking with family and friends, the information below will be a real find! It’s a list of the top 14 best spring hikes in Oregon, brought to you by the storage experts at Northwest Self Storage! Read on to discover all the best trails in Oregon. We are begging you to come for a fantastic hike!
Top 14 Best Spring Hikes in Oregon
1. Multnomah Falls Loop
Spring hiking list in Oregon would only be complete with Multnomah Falls. This iconic waterfall is a fantastic sight, and the surrounding trails offer a refreshing hike during the cooler spring weather. It’s worth noting that the loop around the falls is relatively short, making it a perfect family-friendly hike. The mesmerizing mist from the falls and the blooming flowers create a genuinely magical atmosphere.
2. Dog Mountain Trail
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, Dog Mountain is a challenging but ultimately rewarding hike. Spring transforms this top trail into a colorful carpet of wildflowers, and you’ll get panoramic views of the gorge. Indeed, the sight of endless wildflowers against the backdrop of the river is well worth the effort. Be aware that the steep inclines call for quality hiking gear and a good bit of experience and energy.
3. Cape Lookout Trail
For those who love the coast as much as the forest, Cape Lookout is the perfect spot! The trails here offer breathtaking views of the Pacific coast! This moderate hike through old-growth forests opens up to stunning cliffside views of the ocean. If you and your hiking buddies are lucky, you might spot migrating whales during your spring hike!
4. Silver Falls State Park
Known as the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, Silver Falls offers many trails in front of and behind the park’s famous waterfalls. The Trail of Ten Falls is a must-do hike in spring when the waterfalls are at their fullest. The surrounding forest will also burst with new, beautiful, scenic life.
5. Smith Rock State Park
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and wish to experience a different landscape, Smith Rock’s Misery Ridge Trail will be perfect! The trail offers incredible views of dramatic rock formations, and in springtime, the high desert blooms with billions of wildflowers, creating a striking contrast against the rugged Oregon terrain.
6. Tillamook Head Traverse
This trail is rich in history and natural beauty, offering hikers a chance to walk in the footsteps of famous adventurers Lewis and Clark. The path leads through intensely dense forests to magnificent cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A sea of blooming rhododendrons and the musical cacophony of seabirds returning north for the summer announce spring’s arrival here.
7. Rowena Crest Viewpoint
Located in the Columbia River Gorge, this area is famous for its magnificent and colorful wildflower displays that come back every spring. The hike is relatively easy, but it offers stunning views of the gorge and Mount Hood, making it a perfect spot for photographers, nature lovers, and hikers.
8. Wildwood Trail in Forest Park
Nestled in Portland, the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park offers a natural escape from the flow of urban life without the need to leave the city. It’s a 30-mile trail, so it’s quite long and traverses through a dense canopy of trees almost its entire length. In spring, the undergrowth is flooded with wildflowers, making it an ideal hike for those seeking tranquility and beauty without the typical long ride to and from the trail.
9. Tom McCall Preserve
The Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena Plateau is one of the more unique Oregon hiking trails. For example, the wildflowers here are unique to the area’s climate. With spectacular views of the Columbia River and abundant spring blooms, this trail is a must-visit for botany enthusiasts.
10. Opal Creek Wilderness
Boasting trees that are well over 1,000 years old, this ancient forest offers a vivid glimpse into Oregon’s pristine wilderness. Spring is particularly magical here because the melting snow feeds the crystal-clear pools and waterfalls. Also, new growth adds a vibrant hue to the ancient, surreal landscape every year.
11. Mount Pisgah Arboretum
Located near Eugene, the Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a gentle, low-energy hike. Its well-marked trails meander through a diverse and lovely ecosystem you won’t find in many other parts of the country. Spring brings a massive amount of blooming flowers and plants, making it both an enjoyable and educational hike for families.
12. Trillium Lake Loop
The Trillium Lake Loop is perfect for a leisurely hike. The lake reflects Mount Hood in stunning fashion, especially at sunrise and sunset. The surrounding meadows are dotted with trillium and other spring flowers, not surprisingly, creating a picturesque setting for a low-key spring hike.
13. Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls
One of the most popular hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, the Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls trail offers everything great about hiking in Oregon, from towering cliffs to majestic waterfalls, lush greenery, and vibrant spring flowers. Even better, the waterfalls are awe-inspiring in the springtime due to the runoff from winter snow.
14. Spencer Butte
Located just outside Eugene, Spencer Butte is a prominent landmark that offers a relatively accessible hike leading to panoramic views of the Willamette Valley. As spring arrives, the trail up to the butte becomes lined with various wildflowers, making the ascent a physical challenge and a visual delight. The summit offers a rewarding 360-degree view, where, on a clear day, you can see the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west.
A Note about Oregon’s Spring Weather
Spring in Oregon is characterized by a scrambled mix of sunny and rainy days that gradually get warmer as summer draws near. The weather and climate also greatly depend on where you hike in the Beaver State. Oregon’s coast, for example, is typically cooler and damper, while the valleys of the state’s interior are warmer and drier.
No matter where you go to hike, you’ll be met by lush, vibrant landscapes and a wonderful mix of spring flowers and greenery. Springtime is the best time to hike in Oregon, although we suggest late spring if you hope to have more sunshine rather than precipitation.
Last Thoughts about Spring Hiking in Oregon
We’ve seen plenty of superb hiking opportunities in the Beaver State! Once your hiking is over, if you need to store your gear safely and securely, let Northwest Self Storage handle it! At Northwest Self Storage, we offer safe, secure, and affordable storage units in many of the state’s major towns and cities. You can store your gear or, if you just arrived in Oregon to stay, your household goods, antiques, collections, and much more. When you’re ready, you can reserve a storage unit with Northwest Self Storage in under 10 minutes, and it will be waiting when you arrive. Until then, we hope our list of the top 14 spring hikes in Oregon has given you the info you need to hike to your heart’s content!