Updated 11/14/2022
Our video of the camas lily fields at Lacamas Park in Camas, WA
As someone who grew up here in the Pacific Northwest, I was shocked to learn that a huge portion of western Washington and Oregon was once covered in oak savanna prairie…Nothing about “oak savanna prairie” recalled the mossy maple and fir woodlands of my childhood! In the spring, these oak savannas turned blue with wild camas lily flowers, perhaps the most culturally significant wildflowers in the Pacific Northwest. The camas lily bulb was a staple food crop for Native Americans in the region for hundreds of years.
So what happened to the oak savannas and camas lily fields of the Pacific Northwest? While they are mostly gone now, there are places you can still find them. In today’s post, I’ll share how to see the camas lily fields today, and more about the rise and fall of this fascinating ecosystem.
A quick note before getting started: The edible camas lily looks very similar to a poisonous plant astutely referred to as “death camas”…so I wouldn’t recommend eating them.
History of the Camas Lily Fields
The camas lily is a Pacific Northwest native wildflower that grows well in meadows that are wet in winter and dry in summer—exactly the conditions we get here in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve noticed this combination can be a challenge for my garden here in Portland…most plants at the nursery seem to either tolerate wet conditions or dry conditions, but not both. But since we still have wet winters and dry summers, why are the camas lily fields on the decline?
It turns out they were traditionally nurtured by Native American groups through fire. Through regular burnings, they were able to ensure continuation of the open prairies. In the absence of fire, the prairies that weren’t subsequently developed or converted to farmland have mostly become forests instead.
A few great places to see them remain. Stay tuned for how to find camas lily fields in the Portland-Vancouver metro area.
Camas lilies were traditionally harvested for their bulbs. Per the Oregon History Project, the bulbs were cooked for a couple of days, resulting in the conversion of plant fibers into fructose that was then used as a sweetener. Dried camas cakes could be stored and eaten in other seasons.
The Nez Perce tribe shared bread made from camas lily roots with the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1805 (see HistoryLink). The explorers reportedly felt a bit ill afterward. Maybe it takes some getting used to!
How to See Camas Lily Fields Today
One of the best places to see camas lily fields today is in Lacamas Park in the Portland-Vancouver metro area. Lacamas Park is in the appropriately named town of Camas, just east of Vancouver and about 30 minutes’ drive from Portland.
To find the camas lily fields, you can park at the main Lacamas Park parking lot, which is at the “Lacamas Park” pin on Google Maps. Alternatively, there’s an even closer lot just around the corner on 35th Ave (this pin).
The walk to the camas lily fields and back is very short (less than a mile or so). After a brief walk east up the road from the 35th Ave lot, turn right onto a wide trail that follows along the edge of Round Lake. When you come across a smaller trail on the left, it’s time to turn and head for the wildflower fields.
If you visit the meadows when the wildflowers aren’t blooming, you’ll still know you’re in the right place. The meadows are covered in a thick layer of golden-green moss year-round. In the spring, the camas lilies push up through the moss and turn the fields blue.
The meadows are filled primarily with the purplish-blue camas lily and a pink wildflower called rosy plectritis. The bloom season is right at the turning point between the wet and dry seasons, so you may find the meadows soaked with rain. I’d recommend taking a rain jacket and comfortable shoes or boots that you don’t mind getting muddy. When we visited last, it rained for part of the day, and then the sun came out while we were still at the camas lily fields. The sunlight on the rain-laced wildflowers made the camas lily fields glow.
When Do Camas Lilies Bloom?
Camas lilies typically bloom between April and June, depending of course on the weather in any given year. The photos in this post are from May 7th, 2022, and the lilies were at their peak.
A great wildflower bloom reference I’d recommend is the NW Wildflowers Bloom Map. When the circle for Lacamas Park is green, it’s likely the camas lily fields will be in bloom.
While You’re at Lacamas Park
The camas lilies aren’t the only natural treasure at Lacamas Park—there are also beautiful waterfalls, a lake, and a lush maple-and-fir forest filled with trails. Check out our Lacamas Park blog post for a closer look at the park’s forests and waterfalls and a recommended loop hike to see the top sights.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
If you enjoy the camas lily meadows, you may also enjoy exploring other regional wildflower hotspots. Top examples are the alpine wildflower meadows of Paradise Park, the trilliums of Tryon Creek, and the yellow balsamroot meadows at Dog Mountain.
For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
Leave a Reply to MJ RheaCancel reply