Looking for wildflowers? Top hikes in and near the Tri-Cities, Eastern WA
By Paul KrupinSpecial to the Herald
Spring transforms the landscape around the Tri-Cities, painting it with a vibrant palette of wildflowers. Here is a list that highlights some of the best wildflower hikes within a 200-mile radius to the west, where you can witness this natural spectacle. The first link opens up details of the destination. The second link is a Google Map that you can use to get you right to the trailhead.
Remember that peak bloom times vary depending on the year’s weather, generally occurring between April and June. Columbia River Gorge Hikes:
The Columbia River Gorge is a prime destination for wildflower enthusiasts, offering a variety of trails with stunning displays.
Columbia River Gorge
Tom McCall Preserve (Mosier, OR) is famed for its expansive fields of balsamroot and lupine. This 3.4-mile loop is rated moderate and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Kennewick.
Rowena Plateau Trail (Mosier, OR) offers an easier 2.2-mile loop with beautiful views of the Columbia River and early-season wildflowers. It’s also about a 2-hour and 30-minute drive from Kennewick.
Memaloose Hills Trail (Lyle, WA) provides a quieter experience with its 3.2-mile out-and-back trail, showcasing fields of yellow balsamroot. The drive is around 2 hours from Kennewick.
Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail (Lyle, WA) winds through meadows of yellow and purple wildflowers. This 5-mile loop, about a 2-hour drive from Kennewick, offers views of the Columbia River Gorge.
Camas along the Columbia River near The Dalles. Paul Krupin
Eastern Gorge and Nearby
Dalles Mountain Ranch / Crawford Oaks (Centerville, WA), located in Columbia Hills State Park (1 hour 45 min drive from Kennewick), features rolling hills covered in balsamroot and lupine.
Catherine Creek (Bingen, WA) offers two options: the easy 1.2-mile Universal Access Trail and the 3.5-mile Arch Loop. Both showcase early spring wildflowers and are about a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Kennewick.
Yakima Skyline Trail (Yakima, WA) Roughly 80 miles from TriCities, this gorgeous 4.4-mile trail overlooks the Yakima Valley combines moderate hiking with fields of vibrant wildflowers, views of ther Yakima River, and scenic orchards.
Snow Mountain Ranch and Cowiche Canyon Preserve (Yakima, WA) This wonderful preserve about 80 miles from Tri-Cities contains a majestic area of upland slopes and canyon wildlands west of Yakima with a well-maintained network of 20 miles of interconnected trails.
Tieton River Nature Trail – Beautiful area 95 miles west of Tri-Cities where you can cross the cascading Tieton River, see climbers scaling basalt cliffs, walk over a suspension bridge, and then take walks through wooded trails two to three miles along up the river on the other side east and west.
Spring wildflowers are blooming on Badger Mountain in Richland with the warming weather. The forecast is for a windy and chilly Saturday, warming a bit on Sunday. Gusts could reach 30 mph on Saturday. Laurie Williams
Closer to the Tri-Cities
Rattlesnake Slope Wildlife Area Trail (Benton City, WA), just a 45-minute drive from Kennewick, offers undeveloped trails for viewing wildflowers.
Wallula Gap (Wallula, WA), About an hour drive from Kennewick, this desert hike features the Twin Sisters rock formation, with wildflowers blooming from mid-March to mid-May.
White Bluffs North (Pasco, WA) This is a striking, gorgeous hike adjacent to the east side of the Columbia River in the Hanford Reach National Monument offers unique desert plants, and views of the decommissioned nuclear reactors.
Badger Mountain Canyon Trail (Richland, WA) This classic Tri Cities favorite treats hikers to panoramic views of the Columbia River alongside bursts of wildflower color in early spring.
Candy Mountain Loop (West Richland, WA) Ideal for those seeking a slightly shorter hike with a bit of a challenge, the Candy Mountain Loop meanders through hillside blooms and rocky outcrops. This 4-mile out and back plus a short loop is easy to moderate.
Johnson Butte (Kennewick WA) Right in the heart of Kennewick, Johnson Butte is an accessible 2mile round-trip hike that provides a quick and easy escape into nature. Ideal for those with limited time or for a spontaneous morning walk, this trail offers local views without the long drive.
Palouse Falls Wildflower Walk (Palouse Falls/La Crosse)
Famed for its dramatic must-see waterfall backdrop, this 2.0-mile walk at Palouse Falls 80 miles east of Tri-Cities treats visitors to a delicate interplay of water and colorful native blooms. Due to safety reasons, all the trails into the canyon and base of the falls are permanently closed.
