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Search for wildflowers on these hikes
Summer in the mountains is a fleeting season. After the snow melts and before the first frost hits, wildflowers race to get their flowering and fruiting done, creating a riot of color and fragrance. While Mount Rainier has legendary wildflower hikes, our iconic local mountain is not the only place to find beauty in the hills.
Pack your water, sunscreen, good snacks and bug spray of choice — then head out in search of the season’s most colorful bounty on some of my family’s favorite easy hikes. And don’t worry if you can’t get to all of these hiking trails before the flowers fade; most have fabulous fall color as well (Not time for wildflowers yet? Try one of my favorite Seattle-area hikes for families instead). Now let’s go!
- Lodge Lake, Snoqualmie Pass
- Icicle Gorge Nature Loop, Leavenworth
- Ingalls Creek, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
- Bagley Lakes, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Naches Peak Loop, Mount Rainier National Park
- Sheep Lake, Mount Rainier National Park
More epic hikes and outdoor adventures for families:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and was most recently updated on July 14, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, ensuring all information is up to date, and because wildflower hikes are always a late-summer favorite.
Lodge Lake, Snoqualmie Pass
The trail to Lodge Lake begins from the far western edge of the parking lot for the Snoqualmie Pass ski area. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail south for 2 miles, you’ll enjoy wide views, fields of wildflowers, shady forest, streams and the lake itself. Right at the trailhead, the path immediately begins climbing up the slopes, passing under the ski area’s chairlifts. If you need to catch your breath, you’ll have fabulous views east down the I-90 corridor. Indian paintbrush, monkeyflower, huckleberries and goldenrod provide swaths of color.
The trail levels out briefly and then winds down into the forested bowl where Lodge Lake sits. There are a few stream crossings that rarely cause a problem for hikers. Keep your eyes open for the trail to the lake that branches off to the right as you come around the south side. There are places to rest before heading back up the way you came.
Hike details: 3.75 miles round-trip, 950 feet elevation gain
Kids will love: My kids love hiking under the ski lifts and looking down on I-90.
Parents should know: There is no toilet at the trailhead; you can visit the DOT rest area at the east end of the pass area before or after your hike. The section under the ski lifts has no shade, so wear sun protection if needed. The lake area can be muddy and buggy. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park.
Next up: Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
Icicle Gorge Nature Loop, Leavenworth
Outside of Leavenworth, along the Icicle Creek Road, the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop is a scenic nature loop that’s great for families. From the parking area, we usually head downstream. Enjoy walking in the forest and look for lupine, bunchberry, penstemon, Indian paintbrush and other interesting wildflowers.
The trail crosses the turbulent Icicle Creek on a sturdy and handsome bridge before heading west, back upstream toward the Rock Creek Campground. This path travels through several different microclimates, allowing for a wide variety of plants to be found. Take a break in a quiet spot by the river or in the picnic area at the campground. Cross Icicle Creek on the auto bridge and find the trail back downstream to the parking area.
Hike details: 4.2 miles round-trip, 150 feet elevation gain
Kids will love: My kids love crossing the bridges, playing in the river in quiet sections.
Parents should know: There are some steep drop-offs to the raging creek in parts. There is an outhouse at the trailhead. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park.
Next up: Ingalls Creek
Ingalls Creek, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Nestled in a valley alongside wild and roaring Ingalls Creek, this trail travels away from Blewett Pass and Highway 97 and into the wilderness. You’ll walk through glens of wildflowers among the ponderosa pines. Purple lupines and sunny yellow balsamroot pair with red and orange Indian paintbrush, as well as less common flowers. This trail has some sections that climb away from the creek, but it never strays too far.
You can find camps and open areas to rest approximately every half-mile, though don’t count on spots to play in the water, as this creek is rushing and dangerous during snowmelt. If you can make it 3–4 miles in, there is a spot below a talus slope where cold air seeps out, providing natural air conditioning. Otherwise, wander as far as you like, and then turn around and head back to the trailhead.
Hike info: Mileage as desired (14.4 miles one-way), mild elevation change
Kids will love: My kids love being close to a wild river in the wilderness.
Parents should know: This trail gets very hot on summer days, and there are some exposed sections with lots of sun. Rattlesnakes can be found in the first mile or two. There is an outhouse at the trailhead. This trail is ideal in early summer before it gets too hot on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park.
Next up: Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Visit the subalpine regions of the Olympic Peninsula and you’ll find some unique wildflowers that only grow in that part of the state. Look for white avalanche lilies, purple lupine and other blooms of every color of the rainbow.
Young children and grandparents alike can hike the High Ridge trail (0.8 miles round-trip, 213 feet elevation gain). The Big Meadow and Cirque Rim trails offer stunning mountain views and chances to see a variety of plants in the meadows. Families with energy for more can hike to Sunrise Point (1.1 miles with 220 feet of elevation gain) or out along Klahhane Ridge (up to 4 miles and 220 feet of elevation gain in one direction). Or drive to the end of the road and hike the Hurricane Hill trail. Though it’s paved almost all the way, it will get you huffing and puffing while gaining 650 feet in 1.6 miles. There are benches to stop and rest at a few of the switchbacks. The view from the top can’t be beat, and the wildflowers cover the slopes.
Hike info: Sadly, the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge burned down in May 2023. Hurricane Ridge reopened to visitors on June 27, 2023. The park will not have daily vehicle limitations for summer 2025 like they have in the past, though the limited number of parking spaces may result in wait times for entry.
Kids will love: My kids (and I) love seeing the views along this wildflower hike. Plus, the chance to observe deer up close, and marmots if you’re lucky, is another win on this trail.
Parents should know: Hurricane Ridge is part of Olympic National Park. Arrive early to get through the national park admission booth (park entry is $30 for 7 days) before the lines get too long. The Hurricane Ridge area is at high elevation and exposed, so bring sun protection, water and extra layers. Checking the webcam for weather at the visitor center is a good idea.
Next up: Bagley Lakes
Bagley Lakes, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Nestled in a deep valley in the subalpine region on the way to Mount Baker’s Artist Point, the Bagley Lakes Trail is a delightful loop with interesting photo ops at every turn.
Start in the very large parking lot near Heather Meadows. Drop down a bit before hitting the trail. You can choose to hike on either side of Lower Bagley Lake; the trail reconnects between the two small bodies of water and is connected by a charming stone bridge over the stream. You’ll find different types of flowers tucked into various niches. Look for the quirky elephant head lousewort, whose flowers look like an elephant with a trunk! You may also find brilliant purple penstemon, pink monkeyflowers and delicate white-fringed grass of Parnassus.
Stunning views up to Table Mountain and other surrounding peaks provide beautiful backdrops to the lakes. Note that the lake water is icy-cold! If the 2-mile loop isn’t enough for your family, you can connect with the Wild Goose Trail, hike up to the visitor center, or include the Fire and Ice Interpretive Trail above.
Hike info: 2 miles round-trip, 150 feet elevation gain (for the Bagley Lakes Trail)
Kids will love: My kids love hiking over the bridge, steps carved into the lava, huckleberries in season, and snowfields that last into the summer.
Parents should know: A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park. There is no shade on this trail, so be prepared for sun.
Next up: Naches Peak Loop
Naches Peak Loop, Mount Rainier National Park
On the Naches Peak Loop, hike through subalpine meadows with stupendous views of Mount Rainier. Park at the Tipsoo Lake parking area, climb up above Tipsoo, looking down on its shallow waters, and cross the highway on a historic log bridge. The trail climbs gently around the back side of Naches Peak, and families will find several small tarns to enjoy if they need a rest and a snack.
Different microclimates provide habitats for lots of interesting flowers here. The trail climbs up to the ridge, and as you come clockwise around the peak, you’ll have views down to the Dewey Lakes. Looking west, Mount Rainier is standing tall, providing many photo ops for flowers and families.
Hike info: 3.2 miles round-trip, 600 feet elevation gain
Kids will love: There are so many things my kids love on this wildflower hike: huckleberries, wading in tarns and walking on part of the Pacific Crest Trail are their top three.
Parents should know: Parking at Tipsoo doesn’t require a pass, but if the parking lot is full, there is another lot around the corner that requires a Northwest Forest Pass. There are outhouses at both trailheads. This trail is at high elevation and has little shade, so be prepared with sun protection and layers. Part of this hike is in the national park and part in the national forest. Dogs aren’t allowed on the national park section of the trail.
Next up: Sheep Lake
Sheep Lake, Mount Rainier National Park
Around the corner from Tipsoo Lake, you’ll find the parking area for Sheep Lake and beyond along the Pacific Crest Trail. Hike above the highway for an exposed and dusty mile, and enjoy the views out the American River valley. The trail then heads into the forest and away from the noise of the highway. At just under 2 miles you’ll reach Sheep Lake, nestled in a verdant bowl below craggy peaks.
There are plenty of spots to stop for a snack and the shore is shallow enough for young children to wade. Strong hikers can climb on for another mile or so and 600 feet elevation to Sourdough Gap, where there are views of several volcanoes and surrounding peaks.
Hike info: 3.6 miles round-trip, 400 feet elevation gain
Kids will love: I love that we can play in the water and pick huckleberries on this fun hike.
Parents should know: The first mile of the trail is exposed and can be hot. There is an outhouse at the trailhead. Park around the corner from Tipsoo Lake. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is needed to park. This area is popular and parking fills early on weekends.
