I don’t know about you, but once the dark winter days start to turn into spring, I’m ready for some outdoor adventures. At the top of my list? The best places to see wildflowers near Portland! If you have dreams of wandering meadows and wildflower fields near Portland, read on for my favorite hidden gems.
What to know before you visit wildflower fields
This list is a mix of smaller city-managed parks, nature preserves, and larger state parks, so each will have different rules. It’s best to take a peek at their website before you go to make sure everything is open and if there are rules you should know. For example, many nature parks do not allow dogs. One of my favorite resources besides the park’s own website is AllTrails, where hikers who have done the trail before you can point out helpful tips.
And of course, plan to leave no trace by not picking the wildflowers and packing your trash out when you leave.
Where are the best spots to see wildflower fields near Portland?
Camassia Nature Preserve, West Linn
Nestled in the hills of West Linn, the Camassia Nature Preserve blooms with Camas lilies around late April. It’s a 22.5 acre park, managed by the Nature Conservancy. A flat boardwalk trail winds through the blue meadows in an easy .8 mile loop. Be aware that parking is very limited and in a residential neighborhood.
Camassia Nature Preserve: 5000 Walnut Street, West Linn, OR 97068
Tryon Creek, SW Portland
Tryon Creek is an urban forest tucked into the southwest hills of Portland. In April, its forest floors are covered with the white trillium flower. There’s a .3 mile barrier-free trail, which is perfect for everyone, as well as 8 additional miles of trails through ravines and along creeks in this 658-acre forest. For over 40 years, the Friends of Tryon Creek has hosted the Trillium Festival, so you know it’s a worthwhile stop on your Portland wildflower tour.
Tryon Creek: 11321 S Terwilliger Blvd Portland OR 97219
Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Aloha
This park is the best place to see wildflowers on the westside. Just west of Beaverton, it features a large meadow that overlooks the Chehalem mountain. The trail is a loop, but you’ll head downhill and then have to climb back up at the end, so keep that in mind. There’s also a great playground and demonstration garden near the parking area.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park: 18892 SW Kemmer Rd, Beaverton, OR 97007
Tom McCall Preserve & Rowena Crest, Mosier
Rowena Crest is, without a doubt, worth the drive to see wildflowers near Portland. While it’s about a two hour drive from Portland, it’s completely doable as a day trip or a spring weekend getaway. Rowena Crest is a parking area and incredible viewpoint at Tom McCall Preserve, a stunning 231-acre nature preserve. You’ll have a view on both sides of the Columbia River Gorge, with wildflowers like balsamroot throughout the plateau. There are several different hikes to do in this area. There are some cliffs and dropoffs to be aware of here, so keep a close eye on younger kids.
Rowena Crest Viewpoint: 6500 Historic Columbia River Hwy, Mosier, OR 97040
Powell Butte Nature Park, SE Portland
Powell Butte in SE Portland is an extinct cinder cone volcano, a former dairy farm, and now a 600-acre city park that includes forested areas as well as large meadows with incredible views of Mt. Hood. In the spring and early summer, you’re likely to see lupine and many other native wildflowers winding through the meadows.
Powell Butte Nature Park: 16160 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97236
Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City
This is a relatively flat, easy hike that starts at a playground and winds its way through a wildflower field of white larkspur, and camas and Brodiea lilies if you time it just right. I adore the rocky meadow and the surrounding oak trees, as well as the view of the river. There are steep edges at the edge of the park, so be aware of that before you go if you have small children.
Canemah Bluff Nature Park: 815 4th Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045
When are wildflowers in bloom in Oregon?
The tricky part about wildflowers is that their peak bloom can be slightly different every year, depending on what the weather has been like. Luckily, each of these areas are beautiful throughout the year, but if it’s important to you to hit peak bloom, try using these wildflower status maps to plan your trip:
Northwest Wildflowers Bloom Status Map
Oregon Wildflowers Location Map
Dreaming of a family photo session in wildflower fields near Portland?
Get in touch in early spring to get on the calendar for Columbia River Gorge wildflower family photos! Scheduling these can be tricky since wildflower season is so weather-dependent, but if you’re flexible, we can make a wildflower family photo session happen.
What next?
Can’t get enough of Portland flower fields? After spring wildflower season, we have summer lavender fields! Check out my guide to lavender field photo sessions here. If you’re planning a Portland-area photo session, head over to my post on outdoor photoshoot locations near Portland, Oregon. You might also like checking out this session: Rowena Crest Wildflowers: Portland Maternity Photos.
And if you’re looking for more family-friendly outdoor adventures for your family, make sure you snag my list of 42 favorite things to do with kids in Portland!
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