10 Top Places To Visit In Washington This Fall
Washington is a unique state with such a dramatic, ever-changing landscape. In winter, with abundant snow, the landscape becomes a cold wonderland where nothing seems to blossom. With the arrival of spring and the washing away of the frost and ice, life comes to every living organism, especially the numerous trees, and plants, revealing vibrant sceneries that look and feel paradisaic. And come fall, the once green landscape again changes to a bright ocean of gold, red, yellow, and orange leafage at every turn. Thankfully, you don’t need to traverse the entire 71,000 square miles of the state to soak in the blazing views. Just visit these top places and get ready for a sensational and memorable fall experience.
Whatcom Falls Park
Whatcom Falls Park is a 241-acre recreational public park in Bellingham, featuring a classic stone bridge, three sets of waterfalls, a pond, and picnic shelters. In autumn, these falls are sandwiched between various shades of fiery colors. While some areas retain their greenery to blend with the evolving foliage, the views are always gorgeous as visitors admire them from the stone bridge and picnic shelters. Visit this park with the family and enjoy foliage views, or hike its trails to immerse in the beauty of nature.
Sullivan Lakeshore, Colville National Park
The Sullivan Lakeshore trail of 8.2 miles in Colville National Park overlaps the largest natural lake in the park - Sullivan Lake, and extends further into a dense forest. This forest is rich with birch, hemlock, firs, aspen, ponderosa pines, cottonwood, and deciduous conifers such as western larches. From late September to mid-November, this lush vegetation explodes into diverse foliage colors, especially the western larches that steal the most attention for their needle-like shapes that glow in gold and yellow. While the lake’s crystal waters are charming, the western larches complement them further and stun the eyes. Tourists can either hike the 8.2-mile loop to explore the forest or savor the views of foliage, mountains, and the shimmering water of the lake from one of the coves and beaches.
Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway
Aerial view of Chuckanut Drive.
The Chuckanut Drive is not just for adrenaline-pumping rides with striking views of dramatic landscapes but also for the colors of falls, especially in October. The scenic drive in Northwest Washington runs from Burlington to Bellingham for about 22 miles on the edges of Puget Sound and its rocky coast. The scenic visuals of the coasts and the fall foliage of orange, green, and red that flanks the route combine to make this drive one of the finest and most spectacular on the American West Coast. Also, there are many stops along the byway for enchanting views, notably the Dogfish Point Overlook for gorgeous vistas of Samish Bay and neighboring islands. Plenty of seafood bars like Oyster Bar, Oyster Dome, and Chuckanut Manor & Seafood Grill adorn the route as well for lunch and relaxation.
Iller Creek Trail, Dishman Hills Conservation Area
Sunset over the Spokane River at the Islands Trailhead along the Centennial Trail.
The 5-mile Iller Creek Trail in Dishman Hills Conservation Area is one of the popular hiking destinations in Washington, with scintillating natural views to relish. As autumn arrives, walking the trail becomes an immersion into a fiesta of fiery scenery. The trail begins on a flat terrain into the dense forest where an army of tall trees and their blossoming colors stand as guards of honor. Further into the trail, adventurers will enjoy views of the iconic Rocks of Sharon, the glaring beauties of aspens, cottonwoods, and deciduous shrubs like snowberry. Meanwhile, at some point, hikers will also get to see the breathtaking views of the Spokane Valley as it is overtaken by the colors of autumn.
Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle
Enjoy incredibly diversified views of fall foliage while in the city of Seattle at the 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum. Once in the nursery, the carnival of gold, yellow, and red colors of foliage catches the eye, but a hike around the park’s 5-mile loop offers a better visual treat. Some of the flora highlights to keep an eye on include witch hazel, buckeyes, magnolia, oak, strawberry trees, Azalea, sorrel, and the Woodland Garden, featuring one of the continent’s largest collections of Japanese maples. The Japanese maples are more inviting with their scarlet red tones, while a walk on the three-mile Azalea Way is an immersion into a festival of colors.
Stevens Pass Greenway, Cascade Loop
The Stevens Pass Greenway offers a laid-back way to explore the brilliant colors of fall in Washington, as it only requires driving with windows down and an eye for foliage. This scenic byway stretches for 90 miles from Monroe and along the Skykomish River to Peshastin in Chelan County. After exploring the Stevens Pass, which is just a foretaste of the bigger 440-mile Cascade Loop, proceed on the Greenway down to Tum Water Canyon. This canyon presents gorgeous foliage views, featuring scarlet red maples, yellowy orange cottonwoods, and a variety of other colorful trees and shrubs. The route also leads to the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, where tourists may stop to partake in their Autumn Leaf Festival in September. The final point of the Greenway is in the small town of Peshastin, which is also a great place to drink in more foliage views.
Olympic National Park
The Olympic National Park in the Olympic peninsula comprises rain forests, alpine forests, wildflower meadows, and the dramatic coast of the Pacific Ocean. While this park is a great destination year-round, fall is arguably the best time to visit for the views. Naturally, hiking remains the best way to see the park, and some trails stand out for revealing the finest foliage across the park. The Olympic Discovery Trail along Morse Creek is one such trail featuring charming leaves that dazzle in brilliant colors in autumn. Lake Crescent is also a must-visit for leaf peepers and fall foliage seekers. The views here are magical, defined by the colorful leafage casting their images on the blue waters. Relish these views from a panoramic perspective at the 4,500-foot Mt. Storm King overlook or kayak on the waters. A short hike from the lake to Marymere Falls also offers more sensational views of foliage around a scenic waterfall.
Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest is part of the Olympic National Park but deserves a separate mention as it is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US. Comprising 24 miles of low-lying forest along the Hoh River, this eco-destination is a pure visual delight in fall when the leaves change to a kaleidoscope of colors. From vine maples and Sitka spruce to hemlock and bigleaf maple, there’s so much beauty to savor in this forest. For hikers, two popular loops - Hall of Mosses (0.8 miles) and Spruce Nature Trail (1.25 miles) uncover the most spectacular fall scenery here. Meanwhile, the longer Hoh River Trail of 17.4 miles deserves exploration for its picturesque views of tall trees in mesmerizing hues of orange, red, and yellow, complementing the river.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a fine little town with so much to offer, especially in the fall season when local markets are brimming with bountiful harvests and the trees in and around town display burning colors. Visitors are welcome to grab some fresh fruits at Prey’s Fruit Barn, Miller Orchards, or Eagle Rock Fruit Stand. For amazing fall scenery, head to the Waterfront Park and hike the three-mile trail along the Wenatchee River for enchanting autumn scenery. Starting from downtown, Icicle Road is also a great destination to soak in the fiery views. Meanwhile, as a Bavarian village, Leavenworth hosts a yearly Oktoberfest featuring music, delicious food, goods, and lots of beer. For wine lovers, the town has a couple of wineries offering beautiful natural views and delicious wine. Some top choices include Eagle Creek Winery, Icicle Ridge Winery, and Silvara Vineyards.
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park comprises around 500 acres of lush forests, beaches, the Wenatchee River, and its 5-mile-long lake near downtown Leavenworth. These natural endowments make the state park a bustling playground for fall's awe-inspiring colors. With 8 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of biking trails, and several overlooks, visitors can enjoy the views of magical foliage in many ways here. From the overlooks, the views are spellbinding as the shades of fiery red, golden yellow, and orange of the surrounding vegetation reflect on the lake and river. Capture these stunning views by hiking on the Dirty Face (9 miles) and Hidden Lake (8.5 miles) Trails, both with scenic overlooks for relishing the foliage views. Otherwise, kayak and boat on the lake or recline on a picturesque beach by the lake to enjoy picnics with family and friends while savoring the views.
Why Washington’s Fall Beauty Is Unforgettable
Washington and nature are an inseparable pair, and when fall takes full charge in October, the beauty of the outdoors all over the state is hard to beat. From scenic byways across mountain passes to charming waterfalls thundering down cliffs and picturesque lakes, the fall scenery in Washington is bewitching. For adventure buffs, hiking and biking become more exciting, while laid-back tourists can always kick back on the shores of lakes to enjoy picnics with the charming vistas of the foliage.
