The 9 Best Places in Washington State to Spot Fall Foliage

While the northeast region of this country gets all of the attention during leaf-peeping season, let’s not forget the ever-evolving beauty of Washington State—and, more broadly, the Pacific Northwest. In these parts, October is the month to spot seriously stunning fall foliage, Evergreen State be damned. And, along with all those leaves, the seashores, cliffside views, waterfalls, and non-nature activities are equally worth a visit, too.

Ahead, where to go to witness the best of Washington State fall foliage. Oh, and keep in mind that trees at high elevations turn first, in early to mid-October, while those at lower elevations are best viewed later in the month.

Why visit: Just 40 minutes east of Seattle, Rockwood Farm is home to—at least according to some Washingtonians—the “most-liked front gate on Instagram.” Unsurprisingly, that award is directly related to its fall foliage, which is utterly breathtaking, to say the least. Take a day trip to stroll the grounds of the farm—totalling 49 acres—or book an apartment at the estate for an overnight weekend getaway.
Don’t miss: The front gate of Rockwood Farm is a no-brainer, but don’t forget to spend some time on the riverfront, which spans 900 feet and sits just at the base of Mt. Si.

Why visit: Designed by the legendary landscape artist Fujitaro Kubota, this 20-acre garden is flush with native flora, natural streams, waterfalls, and—this time of year—turning leaves. Though its location in Seattle makes it a decidedly urban getaway, you only have to enter through the garden gates to be utterly transported to another time and place, far away from the chaos of big city living.
Don’t miss: Be on the lookout for a burning bush, or “euonymus alatus,” whose leaves turn a vibrant crimson red every fall. They’re planted throughout the garden and, this time of year, are almost impossible to miss.
 

Why visit: Nestled in the North Cascades to the northwest of Monte Cristo Peak, it should come as no surprise that Monte Cristo has plenty to offer in the way of beautiful foliage. But this spot serves up a history lesson alongside its scenic views: established as a mining town at the turn-of-the-century gold rush, it’s since been almost entirely abandoned, and is now considered a bonafide ghost town. 
Don’t miss: If you’re headed out for a day trip, we recommend taking a hike or bike ride through the Barlow Pass trail, which follows the old mining road traversed by miners over one hundred years ago.

Why visit: Whidbey is known for its delectable seafood (pick up some mussels from Penn Cove!), but the island’s real treasure is its scenic highway, which will take you to Whidbey’s best beaches, trailheads, towns, and, of course, coastal views. At 54 miles, this route is much less daunting than some of the others on this list. And as far as foliage is concerned, Whidbey has lots of oak trees, so you’ll see yellow and red hues all over the island.
Don’t miss: The north end of the island is home to Deception Pass State Park; take the Deception Bridge at sunset over to Fidalgo Island for a breathtaking view of the water and cliffside foliage.

Why visit: With the return of Oktoberfest this year, it’s tempting to overlook Leavenworth’s other, less beer-centric offerings… but hear us out. Like Monte Cristo, Leavenworth is tucked away in the North Cascades; unlike Monte Cristo, this town has so much to offer in the way of dining and entertainment. Take a hike on the Old Pipeline Bed Trail, which snakes through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, for 2.4 miles of stunning views. Nearby Enchantment Park also offers access to a myriad of trails if you’re game for more.
Don’t miss: The drive north from Seattle to Leavenworth via Highway 2 is spectacular; don’t rush it. You’ll get foliage views from your car as good as any on a nature trail.

Why visit: Washington is full of natural beauty, but Chuckanut Drive -- also known more plainly as highway 11 -- was the *first* scenic drive in the state. If you’re starting at the south end, the first half of this 21-mile drive will take you through the foliage of Larrabee State Park (the oldest state park in Washington); the second half cuts right to the coast where you’ll be able to spot the San Juan Islands. 
Don’t miss: Make sure to stop for a bite at The Oyster Bar, the cozy seafood restaurant that sits cliffside at the north end of the highway; you’ll spend dinner staring out at sweeping views of Samish Bay and the aforementioned San Juan Islands.

Why visit: The North Cascades Highway is one section of a much larger, multi-day trip called the Cascade Loop. With 400 miles of views, it’s one of the most beautiful drives you can take in all of Washington. It’s also full of history; the highway follows one of the oldest roads in the state, and was once traveled by wagons in the late 19th century. 
Don’t miss: There are plenty of places to pull over and take in the view on this route (as well as a bunch of trailheads nearby), but we recommend the Diablo Lake Overlook -- because of powdery deposits from surrounding glaciers (aka “glacial flour”), the water has an incredible turquoise color that’s a must-see. 

Why visit: Nestled in the slopes of the Cascade Mountains between Mt. Rainier and the Canadian border is where you’ll find Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest -- a 2,694-square mile expanse of wildlife and foliage. The aforementioned North Cascades Highway cuts through this national forest, but don’t simply stop to snap a picture; it’s more of a destination than a photo-op. When the leaves turn yellow and orange and the fall air feels extra fresh, you’ll want to stay awhile.
Don’t miss: There are dozens of trails to explore while you’re in Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, so it might prove difficult to choose just one. Consider the Chain Lakes Loop -- a 6.5-mile trail that wraps around a handful of lakes, offers views of both Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan, and, perhaps most importantly for the purposes of this list, boasts stunning colored leaves in the fall. 

Why visit: While it’s true that much of Washington’s beauty lies in its wilderness, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t catch some views of semi-urban foliage as well. If you’re in Seattle, check out Lincoln Park -- a short drive southwest from downtown, the park sits right on the Puget Sound with 135 acres of beach and forest, plus man-made attractions like tennis courts and a saltwater pool.
Don’t miss: It probably goes without saying that no matter what you choose to do with your day at Lincoln Park, no visit is complete without ample beachfront time. There’s a trail explicitly for this -- it’s literally called Beach Trail, and once you enter under the little wooden archway, you’ll get your fill of foliage before being met at the other end by sublime Puget Sound views.

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