After a long winter, we all feel the desire to get outside and spend some quality time in nature! Washington has no shortage of spectacular early season hikes and backpacks to fill your sense of wanderlust. Here are 11 of the best spring hikes that Washington has to offer.
#1 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Ozette Loop/Cape Alava
Ozette Loop is a wonderful 9.4 mile hike through the Olympic National Park. This trail can be enjoyed anytime of the year! Overnight camping is allowed with a permit, so this is a perfect choose for off season backpacking! Check out our photo essay and trail guide here.
#2 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Mount Saint Helen's Summit - Worm Flows Route
Spring is a wonderful time of year to summit Mount St. Helens. Permits are required to summit anytime between April 1st and October 31st. You can find more information about this 12 mile adventure on the Mount St. Helens Institute's website.
#3 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Harry's Ridge
Gaze upon Mount St. Helens and the plains of her blast zone. You might even witness this active volcano smoke or belch. The late spring is the best time to enjoy this 7.8 mile trail since it's lined with beautiful wildflowers.
#4 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
This 8 mile hike offers some of the best scenery along the Washington Coast! We highly recommend this as a early season backpack. If you decide to camp, you are require to obtain a wilderness camping permit, in addition to the Makah Recreation Pass that is needed to day hike. More information can be found here.
#5 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Hoh River
Another Olympic National Park hike that can be enjoyed all year round! The Hoh River Trail rewards hikers with ancient evergreens and famous moss laden scenery. Definitely not to be missed if you are visiting Olympic National Park. If you are interested in backpacking at one of the campsites along the way, pick up a permit at the Rangers Station.
#6 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Dog Mountain
The sea of wildflowers that scatter the slopes of Dog Mountain during the months of April and May is truly something to behold, and should not be missed! You will also experience panoramic views of the majestic Columbia River Gorge. Because of this trails beauty during these peak months, you are required to hike with a day permit on weekends. You can learn more here.
#7 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Lower Lena Lake
This 6 miler will bring you through a beautiful forest to a splendid mountain lake! Bring your four-legged friend and tent if your interested in an early season adventure. There are several campsite at the lake.
#8 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Ebey's Landing
Strolling along the Ebey's Landing bluff at sunset would be the perfect way to spend a spring evening! This loop is approximately 5.6 miles, and we would suggest hiking it counter-clockwise.
#9 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls
If you are looking for a hike that features both a beautiful alpine lake and a cascading waterfall, look no further... the Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls trail is for you! This is a very popular hike which measures in at approximately 8 miles round trip. The lake usually is snow free by mid to late April, and hikers from Seattle flock in numbers to take in the scenery.
#10 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Mount Storm King
This Olympic National Park trail typically makes "best spring hikes in Washington State" lists. The views of Lake Crescent and the surrounding mountains from up top are truly exceptional! We hiked this trail in early April, but had to turn around once we reached the final exposed scramble with ropes. If you have a fear of sheer cliffs with scree (like us), this probably isn't the hike for you.
#11 Best Spring Hike in Washington State: Ancient Lakes
After the cloudy winter months, sometimes all you need is a night (or day hike) on the sunny side of Washington! And there is no better place to soak up the spring sunshine than on the Ancient Lakes trail. This is a great destination for early season backpacking! Just make sure to bring your own water since the water along the trail is agriculture run-off.
