The 18 Best Spring Hikes In Washington State

Spring can be an exciting time to hike in Washington State. The bees are buzzing, the snow is melting, and the flowers are starting to spring out. But it can be confusing which trails you can hike around this time of year. There is still heavy snow in many areas, and if you are not too familiar, it can be risky to hike due to avalanche danger. That is why I decided to create a perfect list of the best spring hikes in Washington State. This list is filled with easy and safe trails to get to in the Spring. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

A Note On Trash On Washington Hiking Trails

This year there has been a more significant number of people hiking the trails in Washington. While this makes me happy that more people are connecting outdoors, it makes me sad that the trails are trashed in the process.

Please pack out EVERYTHING you pack in. That includes orange peels, sunflower seeds, etc. Let’s keep our trails beautiful for years to come.

Want To Read More On Leave No Trace? Check Out This Post

Parking Pass When Hiking In Washington State

Most of these hikes need the Northwest Forest Pass, Discover Pass, or a National Park Pass. I highly recommend getting an America The Beautiful Pass because it covers the Northwest Forest Pass and National Park Pass. The Discover Pass covers any state park in Washington.

Below I link each trail to its Washington Trails Association page, where it has even more information on the hike and the type of pass you need.

Map

The map below shows all of the trailheads to the best Spring hikes in Washington.

Best Spring Hikes In Washington State

Rattlesnake Ledge

• Distance: 5.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

The most popular hike in Washington State is Rattlesnake Ledge. This trail can be completed most of the year, and so I like to hike this trail in the early Spring. I recommend hiking during sunset or on a weekday because this trail can get pretty crowded. Either way, this hike is known to be one of the best for a good reason. The views of the lake and surrounding mountains are so incredible.

Falls Creek Falls

• Distance: 3.4 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 600 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Falls Creek Falls is one of my top three waterfall hikes in the state of Washington. I love this hike! I hiked this in the middle of Spring on the rainiest day ever and still enjoyed this trail. The bright green moss around this two-layered waterfall was just too wonderful. I mean, look at how brilliant it looks in the photo above? That was taken when it was pouring rain too! I love this trail, and I wish I lived closer to it.

Mount Storm King

• Distance: 4.1 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 2106 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link

Mount Storm King is probably my favorite Spring hike on this list, but I will warn you that it is steep! So steep that there are ropes towards the end of the trail to help get you up.

The hike is short and has fantastic views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains. I have done this hike during the day and at sunset, and I loved it more during sunset. The orange glow of the lake is just magical. But going during midday gives you bright blue lake vibes.

Lake 22

• Distance: 5.4 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1350 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Lake 22 was the first hike I ever did in Washington! I did it in the early Spring when it was filled with snow. My husband did it towards the end of Spring, and it had no snow. This is one of those trails you need to read up on before heading out (trail reviews). Especially if you want to avoid the snow. Hiking in the snow on this trail can be a pain!

Ancient Lakes

• Distance: 4.6 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 288 ft.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

Want a southwest vibe? Check out Ancient Lakes in the Spring! This glorious place has over 12 miles of trails around the desert, and it is one of the easiest hikes I have ever done because the pathways are completely flat. This is also a great destination for backpacking. No permit is needed, and I parked at the Ancient Lakes Lower Trailhead. This trail is located in central Washington, the drier area of the state.

Hole In The Wall – Rialto Beach

• Distance: 3.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 108 Feet
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

Rialto Beach is known to be one of Washington State’s best beaches. It is located inside Olympic National Park, and it truly is a gem. You can hike 4 miles round trip to see the famous hole in the wall that has a view of a sea stack. It is an incredible place to explore to see sea creatures and Bald Eagles, and you can even backpack to this spot.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Rialto Beach and The Hole In The Wall Washington

Barclay Lake

• Distance: 4.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 387 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

This hike is the best bang for your buck type of hike. The trail is so easy, short, and the mountain views are outstanding. The photo above doesn’t even show all of the mountains due to cloud cover, and it still looked epic!

I saw many families with babies and kids camping right next to the lake if that tells you how easy this trail is. I advise reading trail reports before heading out here because there can still be a lot of snow on the trail and road. This might be accessible towards the middle to end of Spring.

Teneriffe Falls

• Distance: 5.4 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,610 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Getting a good picture of Teneriffe Falls can be pretty difficult because this waterfall is HUGE. There are also many rocks surrounding the area, and it can be pretty slippery. It is still such a glorious waterfall to see in person.

The beginning of the trail is pretty flat and easy, but towards the middle of the hike, the switchbacks seem endless. You eventually run into Teneriffe Falls, and if you want to keep on going, you can hike up to Mount Teneriffe. But be careful because there might be plenty of snow past the waterfall in the spring.

Twin Falls

• Distance: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 636 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

Twin Falls is one of those hikes that I recommend to people that want to do an easy hike with a beautiful waterfall view. It is so close to Seattle, and the whole trail is filled with mossy trees and river views. The waterfall viewpoint is on a deck, and it is so difficult to take photos because the waterfall is so huge!

Heybrook Lookout

• Distance: 2.6 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 850 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

Heybrook Lookout is such a magical hike that I like to do all year round. It is easy to get to the trailhead, and it is a relatively short and effortless hike to do. This is a great trail, and I love to take people visiting Washington for the first time. It is another big bang for your buck type of trail. The fire lookout is pretty tall, so you have to climb up many stairs, but trust me, the views are worth it!

Staircase Rapids

• Distance: 2.1 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 213 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trail Guide: Link

I love hiking this trail on a moody rainy Spring day. This hike is breathtaking no matter the weather. The bridge was probably my favorite part because of the bright green/blue-colored river flowing below it and the mossy lush green trees surrounding it. It is a wonderful easy hike located on the Olympic Peninsula that can be completed by anyone.

Little Si

• Distance: 4.4 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,187 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Little Si hike is a perfect trail to do in the Spring. The views are glorious, it is easy and short, and it is located pretty close to Seattle. My husband and I hiked this trail after work one day, and it was quick, fast, and a good workout. You can also hike the more difficult and longer version of this trail called Big Si.

Dog Mountain

• Distance: 6.5 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 2,988 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Hard
• Trail Guide: Link

Every Spring, Dog Mountain lights up with yellow wildflowers over the grass fields, and it has some of the best views of the Columbia River Gorge. It is a spectacular thing to witness and is one of the best things to do in Washington in the Spring. If you go on the weekend, you have to make a reservation (only around April 20-June 16). I would also try to read trip reports for the best time to go. You have to time when the flowers are in full bloom. That is usually at the end of May.

Mount Pilchuck

• Distance: 5.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 2,122 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Mount Pilchuck was the first fire lookout trail I ever hiked, and boy was I impressed! It was a long and difficult hike, though, and you had to scramble towards the end. Usually, the snow is gone towards the middle and end of spring, so check the trip reports before hiking this.

You can go inside the fire lookout and stay the night, but it is first-come, first-serve. I also liked climbing around the area and exploring around. Be careful, though. As you can see from the picture above, you have to climb over many rocks, and this is not a good hike if it is icy.

Dirty Harrys Balcony

• Distance: 4.1 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,358 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

I have only done Dirty Harrys Balcony in the Spring because it is an outstanding hike to do right before summer sets in. It is also close to Seattle, and the trailhead is located next to I-90, so you don’t have to worry about driving on a dirt road. The views are glorious, and you can see the highway in the distance.

Wallace Falls

• Distance: 4.9 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,489 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

I love that this hike has multiple waterfalls and viewpoints. This state park is a perfect one to visit on a rainy day. It can be steep in some sections, but the views are worth the struggles. I also like that this trail is dog friendly!

Sage Hills

• Distance: 7.3 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,079 ft.
• Route Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Sage Hills is one of those trails that you can hike as much or as little as you want. The trails that are in this area seem to go on forever! When we hiked here we hiked around 3.2 miles and we were pretty satisfied with what we saw.

The best time to hike Sage Hills is in the Spring. The grass is bright green with no trees giving you feel of Ireland (but no shade so bring sunscreen). And if you hike far enough you get to witness the glorious balsamroot flowers and purple lupine. There are so many flowers on this trail, but please do not step on them while taking photos.

The trail is closed from Dec. 1 to April 1 to provide winter sustenance and quiet range land for mule deer and other wildlife. I wouldn’t want to go around winter though as I would mainly want to hike this trail when the flowers are in full bloom. I went on May 7th around peak wildflower time and I feel like it was perfect timing.

Sauer’s Mountain

• Distance: 5.2 miles, roundtrip
• Elevation Gain: 1,870 ft.
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Guide: Link

Warning: This trailhead is on Private PROPERTY. Please respect the owner’s property and keep the trail clean, and park in only available spots. Have an alternative hike if you can’t park.

I hiked this trail in mid-April, and it was glorious. The balsamroot flowers were so stunning and lovely, and you can see the mountains in the distance throughout the trail. It felt very steep at times, so take your time.

What To Pack When Hiking Washington

1. Sunscreen: Super important and it is part of the ten essentials!  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. >Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses: It can get sunny even in the fall, so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking
9. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Mid Base Layer: If you are hiking in the winter, this might be a great idea. >Check Out My Sweater Here
16. Sports Bra: For women. >Check This One Here
17. Jacket: I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
18. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket when you hike Washington. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
19. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
20. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here

Conclusion

Thanks for reading all about my favorite Spring hikes in Washington. I have so many amazing Washington posts below that you have to check out next!

• The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
• The 12 Best Washington Fire Lookouts
• The Perfect 2-3 Day Olympic National Park Itinerary
• 25 Cozy Cabins In Washington State

Pin For Later: Best Spring Hikes Washington