Spring is a season that brings a variety of beautiful changes to the natural world. Blooming flowers create a colorful spectacle that is a true joy for the senses. Meanwhile, longer daylight hours offer more opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the world—prompting many to search for where to go hiking. We’ve teamed up with AllTrails, the leading global outdoors platform, to share the best hikes in the US to celebrate spring and inspire your next adventure.
Spring hiking offers ideal temperatures, with the warmth of the sun, gentle breezes, and fresh air making us feel more alive and energized. Whether you’re in search of the best hikes to see wildflowers or hikes to waterfalls, AllTrails has you covered. With over 400k curated trails, AllTrails helps you find your way outdoors, with detailed reviews and inspiration from a community of trail-goers like you. You can even search and filter by interests, location, or skill level for outside inspiration that fits your nature.
Meanwhile, with AllTrails+ (their subscription), you can even preview the trail before you go! Don’t worry, we’ve gone ahead and found the best hikes to do in the US to celebrate Spring.
Pro tip: Get 7 days free when you sign up for AllTrails+ and be sure to save our trail recommendations below!
Mount Rainier Wildflower Trails, Washington
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: Fields of wildflowers, meadows, and great views of Mount Rainier
What to expect: Mount Rainier National Park is home to some of the most vibrant wildflower displays in the country. The park offers several easy-to-moderate hikes to relish in such splendors. In fact, you can use the wildflowers filter on AllTrails to choose specific trails that are rich with flora and fauna, including the Naches Peak Loop Trail and the Skyline Trail, which wind through meadows of wildflowers, including lupines, Indian paintbrush, and asters.
Great Smoky Mountains Wildflower Trails, North Carolina and Tennessee
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: Rich diversity of wildflowers, including trilliums, violets, and spring beauties
What to expect: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a rich diversity of wildflowers, with over 1,500 different species. The park offers several easy to moderate hikes, including the Porters Creek Trail and the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, that wind through lush forests and fields of wildflowers. Visitors can expect to see a diverse range of wildflowers, including trilliums, violets, spring beauties, and many more.
Wahclella Falls Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: Wahclella Falls, a 350-foot waterfall surrounded by lush greenery
What to expect: The Wahclella Falls Trail is a 2-mile roundtrip trail that takes you through lush greenery and offers jaw-dropping views of the 350-foot waterfall, Wahclella Falls. You can expect to see a variety of flora and fauna as you hike through the gorge, including wildflowers and other native plants. The waterfall is the highlight of the trail and is a perfect spot to stop and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. On your quest for spring waterfalls throughout the country, be sure to click the waterfall filter on AllTrails to easily pinpoint trails like this one.
Wildflower Trail at Crested Butte, Colorado
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: The largest wildflower display in Colorado
What to expect: If you’re looking for where to go hiking for families, this trail is a great option because it’s relatively short at just 1.8 miles—making it perfect for a quick stroll through the beautiful meadows of wildflowers. The trail’s difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, so it is accessible for hikers of all skill levels. You can expect to see a dreamy display of wildflowers, including lupines, Indian paintbrush, and wild roses. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking views of the colorful blooms.
Mount Tamalpais State Park, California
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: A diverse array of wildflowers, including poppies, lupines, and wild iris
What to expect: Mount Tamalpais State Park offers several trails ranging from 1-7 miles, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels. The trails wind through fields of wildflowers and offer breathtaking views of the sparkling San Francisco Bay. The park is known for its diverse array of wildflowers, including poppies, lupines, and wild iris. You can expect to see a vibrant display of colors and textures as you hike through the park.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail, Zion National Park, Utah
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Known for: One of the best hikes for waterfall hunting
What to expect: One of the best hikes for waterfall hunting, the Lower Emerald Pool Trail is an easy to moderate 1.2-mile roundtrip trail that winds through lush greenery and offers gorgeous views of the three waterfalls and pools known as the Emerald Pools. The trail is known for its beautiful spring scenery, including wildflowers and other native plants. It’s accessible for hikers of all skill levels and is a perfect spot for a family outing or a leisurely stroll through nature. If you love the hike, you can add it to your favorites list with an AllTrails+ membership.
Havasu Falls Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Known for: Havasu Falls, a 100-foot waterfall with crystal-clear blue water
What to expect: The Havasu Falls Trail is a moderate to difficult 8-mile roundtrip trail that offers stunning views of Havasu Falls and surrounding spring scenery. The crystal-clear blue water of Havasu Falls is the main attraction, and often pops up as inspiration for otherworldly destinations when in search of where to go hiking. Here, hikers can take a refreshing dip in the pool beneath the falls. The trail is known for its wildflowers and lush greenery, which provide a beautiful backdrop for the cascading waterfall. The hike is challenging but rewarding, and hikers should be prepared with plenty of water and proper hiking gear.
Enchantments Trail, Washington
Difficulty: Difficult
Known for: Wildflowers, alpine lakes, and granite peaks
What to expect: The Enchantments Trail is an 18-mile hike through the rugged wilderness of the Cascade Mountains. In the spring, the alpine meadows burst with a colorful array of wildflowers, including lupines, paintbrush, and Indian paintbrush. The trail winds through several stunning alpine lakes, including Colchuck Lake and Crystal Lake, and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding granite peaks. If you have the AllTrails+ subscription, you can preview 3D flyovers to see just how in bloom the trails here are before you go.
Plan your next outdoor adventure today with AllTrails and explore the best hikes in the US to celebrate spring!
by travelers, for travelers.
