I’m so stoked you’re here! Before we get started, I want to paint a visualization of newly bloomed flora with mesmerizing terrain as the backdrop to your cinematic, intimate session. Picture this– you and your partner taking a long walk through a field of wildflowers, holding hands and deep belly laughing together. You are surrounded by stunning views and breathtaking landscapes while you snuggle on a blanket while enjoying a picnic. Sounds magical – count me in!! If you’re dreaming of a wildflower photoshoot, the PNW is totally the best place to make this happen. As a LNT and Public Lands Creative member–my purpose with these guides is to provide sustainable and essential tools to enjoying the great outdoors responsibly. Here are some of the BEST and most iconic wildflower locations in Washington & Oregon, spanning across the Olympic NP, Mount Rainier, the Columbia River Gorge, and more!

Your Complete Guide to having a Wildflower session in the Pacific Northwest

Table of Contents:

• Tips for your PNW Wildflower Session
• Best wildflower photoshoot locations in Washington
  – Mount Rainier National Park
  – Olympic National Park
  – Columbia River Gorge (WA)
• Best wildflower photoshoot locations in Oregon
  – Columbia River Gorge (OR)
  – Central Oregon

Tips for your PNW wildflower session

First, here are a couple of important tips to keep in mind while you’re planning your PNW wildflower session.

1. STAY ON TRAILS

One surefire way to harm the stunning wildflower meadows we all love is by venturing off-trail and trampling through the flower fields. It’s tempting to think “just this once,” but if more folks adopt this mindset, it adds up and causes lasting damage. Even a few individuals can significantly impact delicate ecosystems like wildflowers, so it’s our responsibility to safeguard them by sticking to trails and embracing Leave No Trace principles. While it might be tempting to stray for a photo or a better view, with a little extra exploration, we can discover equally breathtaking spots without harming the land.

2. CHECK CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS

Prior to heading out on your wildflower adventure session, it is SO important to assess the current trail conditions to ensure adequate preparation. Additionally, it is advisable to anticipate the wildflower bloom during your session. Wildflowers may bloom earlier or later than usual due to spring/summer weather variations, necessitating the verification of current conditions to manage expectations. Avoid the disappointment of anticipating peak wildflower bloom only to discover they have not yet emerged by staying informed. Here is a great website to check current and upcoming wildflower blooms: Northwest Wildflower bloom status map for Oregon and Washington.

3. LEAVE NATURAL OBJECTS

As tempting as it is to bring a piece of the outdoors home with you–it’s actually vital that we don’t! Natural beauties like petrified wood, wildflowers, and colorful rocks enhance the outdoor experience and should be left undisturbed for others to enjoy. They also contribute to the ecosystem by providing crucial nutrients and habitat for wildlife. It’s important to note that these natural objects are legally protected in national parks and many other preserved areas.

Best wildflower photoshoot locations in Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

Alright, let’s dive into one of the PNW’s most iconic wildflower spots: Mount Rainier! This place draws hikers from all over to witness its stunning wildflower meadows, making it super busy in the summer. The subalpine meadows burst with wildflowers during peak bloom, but timing can vary based on yearly weather and spring rainfall. Typically, late July to mid-August is prime time for a wildflower-packed session at Mount Rainier!

Below are some of the best trails for a Mount Rainier wildflower photoshoot:

1. Myrtle Falls Viewpoint
   

Length: 0.7 mi

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 154ft

2. Naches Peak Loop

Length: 3.2 mi, roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Elevation gain: 600 ft

3. Sheep Lake
   

Length: 3.6 mi, roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Elevation gain: 400 ft

4. Nisqually Vista Loop

Length: 1.1 mi, roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: 200 ft

5. Deadhorse Creek
   
   Length: 3.25 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 800 ft
   
   

Olympic National Park

I’m sure you know all about the Olympic Peninsula and its epic Twilight-inspired photography spots, but guess what? Olympic National Park also flaunts some seriously stunning wildflowers in the summer! Those alpine ridges and meadows are decked out with vibrant lupines, lilies, and Indian paintbrush–
and against the mountain backdrop, it’s pure magic. For wildflower-filled photo sessions in Olympic National Park, July and August are where it’s at!

1. High Ridge Trail
   
   Length: 0.8 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy
   
   Elevation gain: 213 ft
2. Hurricane Hill
   
   Length: 3.2 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy/moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 650 ft
   
3. Sol Duc Falls
   
   Length: 1.6 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy
   
   Elevation gain: 200 ft
   
   
   

The Columbia River Gorge is a total jackpot: you’ve got stunning river views, epic waterfalls, colossal basalt cliffs, lush forests, killer overlooks, and, of course, wildflowers! Along the highway in spring and popping up on mountain slopes around May, a variety of wildflowers grace the gorge. The prime time to catch them strutting their stuff is roughly from April to June each year.

Here are some of the most epic locations on the Washington side of the Gorge for wildflower sessions:

1. Weldon Wagon Road
   
   Length: 5.4 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,290 ft
   
2. Grassy Knoll
   
   Length: 4.4 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,048 ft
   
3. Catherine Creek
   
   Length: 2.1 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy
   
   Elevation gain: 250 ft
4. Columbia Hills State Park
   
   Length: 3.4 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 951 ft
   
   5. Hamilton Creek Trail
   
   Length: 2.6 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 72 ft
   
   6. Cape Horn
   
   Length: 7.2 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,300 ft
   
   7. Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail
   
   Length: 5 mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,213 ft

Best wildflower photoshoot locations in Oregon

Columbia River Gorge (Oregon)

Finallllly, check out these awesome spots on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge where you can capture some epic wildflowers for your session!

1. Rowena Crest
   
   Length: 2.9  mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 725 ft
   
   2. Memaloose Hills
   
   Length: 2.8 mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 600 ft
   
   3. Lower Bench Trail and Middle Bench Trail
   
   Length: 2.4 mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 259 ft
   
   4. Sevenmile Hill Trail
   
   Length: 4.8 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,260 ft
   
   

Central Oregon

So, let’s chat about central Oregon! I’m stoked to be living so close to this gem, with its stunning high desert, the gorgeous Cascade Lakes, the mountain views, and tons of small towns to check out. In central Oregon, wildflowers pop up all over the place – from the forests and canyons to the grasslands and even the high desert – between March and August. They start blooming in the sagebrush in early spring and then spread to the alpine meadows of the Cascades later in the summer. If you’re keen on a high desert wildflower session, March-April is prime time, and for mountain wildflowers, aim for July-August for the best show!

1. Crooked River Trail
   
   Length: 4.3 mi
   
   Difficulty: Easy
   
   Elevation gain: 324 ft
   
   2. Painted Hills Trail Loop
   
   Length: 3.7 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Easy
   
   Elevation gain: 344 ft
   
   3. McCubbins Meadow Hike
   
   Length: 5.2 mi, roundtrip
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 780 ft
   
   4. Sutton East Hills
   
   Length: 4.2 mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 1,035 ft
   
   5. Ninemile Ridge
   
   Length: 7.6 mi
   
   Difficulty: Moderate
   
   Elevation gain: 2,225 ft
   
   

And there you have it folks! That’s my complete guide to an amazing wildflower photoshoot in the PNW. If you need more help planning your dream session of running among the wildflowers in Washington or Oregon, I’d absolutely love to share my top tips with you – head over to the blog for more inspiration on your sessions! If after reading this blog you’re feeling ready to book out your PNW wildflower photoshoot then let’s connect!