The Columbia River Gorge is amazing in spring, but it can be hard to know where to safely hike with kids or where to go to see the best wildflowers. I’ve been hiking in the Gorge for over 15 years, and my daughter has been hiking there since she was a toddler. So many Gorge hikes are too steep or cliffy for kids…thankfully, I’ve done the research and scouting for you! While most of the 50 hikes in my kids Gorge hiking book, little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge, can be hiked in spring, some are better than others. I’ve picked the must-do spring hikes from my book, and listed them below. For the best information, including almost all the details you need for a safe and fun family hike, pick up a copy on Amazon before hitting the trail.
Pro-tip: When hiking in the Gorge, especially near or east of Cascade Locks/North Bonneville, make sure you do a tick check after your hike and watch out for poison oak. Rattlesnakes can be seen along some Eastern Gorge hikes, so advise kiddos not to climb on or stick their hands into rock piles.
WESTERN GORGE
Cape Horn
- 0.8 to 3 round-trip miles
- Many hike routes in the Cape Horn area are dangerous for kids due to cliffs; check out my guide for lesser-known and less-cliffy variations
- Visit in May for the epic delphinium bloom
- Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons (learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
- Kids will need help staying to away from overlook and cliff edges
Wahclella Falls
- This is one of the best waterfall hikes around
- 2.4 round-trip miles
- Avoid this trail during heavy rain due to fire damage and cliffs
- After your hike, stop by Bonneville Fish Hatchery (learn more about this hike’s connection to the hatchery in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
- Kids will need help staying to away from cliff edges
Sandy River Delta
- 2.5 round-trip miles
- Excellent for birdwatching in springtime
- Practice being still and watching for migratory spring birds in the Maya Lin Bird Blind (learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
- Avoid the hike if you aren’t a fan of dogs
Latourell Falls
- 2.2 round-trip miles
- This is one of a handful of kid-friendly Gorge waterfall hikes unaffected by the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire
- The trail is very colorful in April – look for trillium, bleeding heart, corydalis, salmonberry, and wood sorrel
- The rock formations on this hike are amazing!
CENTRAL GORGE
Pool of the Winds and Little Beacon Rock
- 3 miles round-trip to visit both
- Look for spring wildflowers all throughout spring; larkspur and chocolate lilies are especially lovely
- Listen and look for American Pikas on this trail (learn more in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
Emerald Falls
- 1.2 round-trip miles
- This is a more obscure hike that isn’t written about in too many places
- The hike to Emerald Falls is less crowded than other kid-friendly Gorge waterfall hikes
- Keep an eye out for water ouzels
Starvation Creek State Park
- 0.6 – 4 round-trip miles
- Paved and stroller-friendly way to access up to three waterfalls
- Can be noisy due to proximity to the interstate
- Waterfalls should be full with spring run-off
EASTERN GORGE
Lower Labyrinth Falls
- 2.2 miles round-trip
- You won’t find this hike description anywhere other than little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge
- Touch a waterfall and check out amazing spring wildflowers (learn about some trail-specific wildflowers in my book)
- Stay on the trail to avoid poison oak
Coyote Wall
- 3.6 to 4.6 round-trip miles
- Coyote Wall is not the most kid-friendly due to cliffs, but in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge, I’ve detailed the most spectacular kid-friendly loop on the wall
- Learn about the threatened western meadowlark that calls Coyote Wall home
- There is no shade on this hike, so plan accordingly
Crawford Oaks
- 4.5 round-trip miles
- This is a harder hike due to elevation gain and lack of shade, but you can hike less and still experience awesome views and flowers
- Visit in spring to see amazing wildflowers like lupine, larkspur, and balsamroot
- Learn about the history of the area by visiting the nearby interpretive ranch
Memaloose Hills
- 2.8 to 3.6 round-trip miles
- This hike is very popular on weekends, consider a weekday or late afternoon weekend hike
- Spot two volcanoes from the top of the hills
- Be sure to stay on the trail and not damage the wildflowers
Klickitat River Trail from Fisher Hill Bridge
- 2.6+ round-trip miles
- So many interesting things on this trail: river, wildflower, fish hatchery machinery, and tribal fishing
- Learn about the history of tribal fishing on the Klickitat in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge
- Keep an eye out for bald eagles
Rowena Plateau
- 2.3 round-trip miles
- This hike is known for its epic wildflower bloom, so visit on a weekday or weekend afternoons if possible
- Learn about conservation in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge and teach your kids
- Stay on the trail and please do not pick the flowers
Catherine Creek Interpretive Trail
- 0.25 to 1.25 round-trip miles
- Paved and stroller-friendly walk through wildflower meadows
- Can add on a longer, less-accessible 2 to 2.8 mile round-trip hike (see Hike #37 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge)
Hope you found this helpful! Now go out and enjoy make some springtime family memories!
P.S. If you’re looking for the best springtime kid-friendly hikes around Portland, check out this post! Also, check out this post for springtime kid-friendly hikes in the Vancouver/SW Washington area.
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