A trailing blackberry bramble loaded with berries
Native trailing blackberries are a favorite for many recipes among Washington berry pickers. (Adobe stock image)

Enjoying the fruits of the season:

Wild berry picking in Washington

Where and when to pick

Washington has extensive public lands on both the east and west sides where you can try your hand at bringing home a bevy of wild berries. For details on public lands in Washington, check out our Life Outdoors webpage for information on both state and federal public lands to explore.

The headliners

Here are some of the most common wild berries you’ll have the opportunity to harvest in Washington:

Himalayan blackberries ripen at the end of a cane.
The Himalayan blackberry is an easy place to start with wild berry picking in Washington. Though abundant, its large fruit is regarded as less tasty than the native trailing blackberry. (Adobe stock image)
A trailing blackberry bramble loaded with berries
The trailing blackberry is viewed as a prized find. (Adobe stock image)
A cluster of blue huckleberries ready to be picked
Huckleberries, including the blue variety seen here, are among the most popular wild berries to pick in Washington. (Adobe stock image)
A salmonberry nestled among its leaves
Salmonberries are among the first wild berries to ripen. (Adobe stock image)
A cluster of thimbleberries getting closer to being ready to pick
Delicate thimbleberries resemble raspberries at first glance, but differences appear after closer examination. (Adobe stock image)
Salal berries tucked in among their leathery evergreen foliage
Salal berries are often overlooked but are well-suited to jellies. (Adobe stock image)

Supporting players

Though there are more species that you can get to know as you gain experience, here are some other less commonly picked berries:

Clusters of Oregon grapes peek out from among their sturdy foliage
Oregon grape lends itself to being mixed with other berry jellies. (Adobe stock image)
A wild blueberry plant heavy with ripe berries
Keep your eye out for wild blueberries when hiking in Washington. (Adobe stock image)

Safety first

There are several safety considerations to make when harvesting wild berries:

Ripe blackcaps gleam in the sun
Blackcaps can be difficult to find but the delicious berries are a treasured discovery. (Adobe stock image)

While you’re at it

With the statewide black bear hunting season starting Aug. 1 and running into the fall, black bear hunting and berry picking can often go hand in hand. Once you find a remote berry spot safely removed from berry harvesters, you could also be sitting on a great bear hunting spot due to the food source. And when the hunting’s slow, why not do some picking yourself?

Share your #LifeOutdoors adventures

Send us your best photos of how you spend time outdoors! Your photos may be featured on WDFW’s Facebook and Instagram to celebrate the variety of ways people enjoy outdoor lifestyles and to inspire others to spend time in nature.

  • Submit pictures of you, your friends, or family participating in outdoor recreation on WDFW’s website.
  • When submitting your photo, select #LifeOutdoorsWA in the category section. In the description area, tell us a little about your experience!

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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources.

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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources.