Wallula Gap, Washington – Northwest Wildflowers

Wildflower Destinations > Eastern Washington

Wallula Gap

Walla Walla County, Washington

BLM, Whitman College, McNary NWR

Fees: none

Activity: hiking

Elevation: 330'-1200'

Current status (as of 4/20/24): blooming

Notes: The Wallula Gap is the place where the Columbia River cuts through the Horse Heaven Hills along the Washington/Oregon border. There are a few places to visit in this area, including but not limited to:

Twin Sisters: The map on this page shows a short hike to sand dunes and a pair of basalt pillars overlooking the river.

Wallula Scablands: About a mile north of Twin Sisters, there's a trailhead (46.0535,-118.9335) leading to an extensive trail network on land owned by Whitman College; mountain bikers call this area the "Wallula Scablands," and officially it is the "Wallula Gap Biological Station."

Juniper Canyon: 8 miles south of Twin Sisters, on the Oregon side of the border (45.9574,-119.0385), you'll find this mile-long trail up a gully to a miniature juniper forest.

See the Columbia Basin WNPS website for more info about this area.

Peak wildflower bloom at Wallula Gap is typically from mid-March through April into mid-May, but there may be some flowers blooming from early March until the end of May.*

Typical year:

Web links:

Columbia Basin WNPS

Washington Trails Association

Photo albums: 2023

Wildflowers in this area:

WildflowerSearch.org

iNaturalist observations

Consortium of PNW Herbaria

Featured plants: Abronia mellifera, Cymopterus terebinthinus, Oenothera pallida, Rumex venosus

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* The dates given on this Web site for each location's blooming season are only estimates and can vary from year to year. Weather conditions in the winter and spring can shift these dates by up to a month, especially in the mountains. For the latest updates, check the Oregon Wildflowers or PortlandHikers Facebook groups, or browse the most recent postings to iNaturalist or Instagram.