Select a photo to read the flower description and location.
Whether you’re seeking explosions of color splashed across a hillside or tiny blooms hidden along a wooded trail, Oregon State Parks has something to offer every wildflower chaser this spring. We asked rangers to share some of their favorite blooms at parks around the state to inspire your next trip.
Cottonwood Canyon State Park is about 1 hour southeast of The Dalles in a rugged and remote canyon with vertical cliffs carved by the John Day River. The park has camping, hiking, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Ranger Asa picked his all-time favorite bloom: Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)
“They grew in abundance where I grew up, and they’re easily recognizable. When they fill up an entire hillside, it is a great sight to see. Nearly the entire plant can be used as a food source, and are used by many indigenous communities,” he said.
Bloom season: April and May
Where to spot: They grow along the dry hillsides. Driving to the park, you will spot them along the highway on private property. You can get a closer look on public land when hiking any of the park’s three trails. Other favorites: Biscuitroot and lupine
Silver Falls Silver Falls State Park is about 30 minutes east of Salem and boasts an abundance of waterfalls, lush vegetation, towering conifers and spectacular views of rocky canyons and the winding creek at the forest floor. The park offers hiking, camping, wildlife viewing and more.
Ranger Matt picked three of his favorite blooms for early spring.
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Snow queen (Veronica regina-nivalis): This tiny perennial is often the first flower found each year at Silver Falls, blooming as early as early January during mild winters. It is not the most noticeable flower, but after you see, you will spot it all over the forest floor.
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Skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus): Skunk cabbage is one of those plants most people would hesitate to call one of their favorites. Its mild, skunk-like odor (used to attract pollinators) may deter some people, but it is truly a joyful sight – and smell – of early spring. The yellow flowers emerge in wetlands before the massive leaves, giving rise to another of its common names – swamp lantern. One fascinating trait of skunk cabbage is that it is thermogenic, which means that it can produce heat to melt snow. This allows it to emerge in a snowy landscape. It flowers between February and April.
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Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum): This beautiful shrub blooms at Silver Falls beginning in March and has beautiful clusters of pink flowers. It can grow over 10 feet tall and adds a beautiful splash of color to the forest. It makes a great garden shrub. In fact, Scottish plant collector David Douglas introduced it to Great Britain in the 1820s, and it is now one of the most popular garden shrubs in the UK.
Bloom season: Through April
Where to spot: Throughout the park
Fort Rock Fort Rock State Natural Area is 22 minutes south of Bend in Oregon’s high desert where a jagged, towering rock wall forms a near circle that resembles a fort. The park offers hiking, wildlife viewing and guided tours of the cave through June 1.
Ranger Hannah picked three of her favorite desert flowers to share:
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Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva): This early spring flower blooms in shades of white to deep pink. The succulent is a striking pop of color in dry, gravel landscapes. Bitterroot is a culturally significant plant for several Native American tribes, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The roots were gathered, dried and used for food or trade.
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Dwarf Purple Monkeyflower (Diplacus nanus): The tubular flowers grow to only about 1 inch long in magenta or purple, according to iNaturalist.
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Hopsage (Grayia spinosa): A flowering shrub that produces flower clusters of bright pink, yellow, or white fruiting leaves. The plant is one of the more colorful shrubs in the springtime habitat, according to California Native Plant Society.
Bloom season: Spring
Where to spot: Throughout the park
Rowena Crest Historic Columbia River Highway - Rowena Crest Overlook is 15 minutes east of Hood River. It’s a stunning viewpoint and trailhead along the Historic Columbia River Highway that looks down on Mayer State Park, the Columbia River Gorge and the iconic Rowena Loops — the horseshoe curves that wind up to the viewpoint.
Ranger Randi picked three of their favorite spring blooms:
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Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata): This cheerful yellow flower is in the sunflower family and blooms around Oregon, including in the Columbia River Gorge. Nearly the entire plant can be used as a food source and is used by many indigenous communities.
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Columbia desert parsley (Lomatium columbianum): Pink bloom clusters appear atop lacey foliage in the spring. It grows on dry rocky slopes along the Columbia River including at Rowena Crest.
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Grass widows (Olsynium douglasii): This grass-like perennial offers reddish purple to pink blooms in spring along coastal bluffs, prairies, grasslands, sagebrush flats, open rocky areas and more. It is the only species in genus Olsynium native to North America, according to the Washington Native Plant Society. The other 11 species are native to South America.
Bloom season: Spring
Where to spot: Throughout the park