Washington Fall Foliage 2025: Peak Weeks And Top Spots

Autumn in Washington feels like a slow exhale, when the air sharpens and the forests trade green for gold. Each corner of the state offers its own rhythm, from alpine ridgelines to river valleys.

Hikers, photographers, and road trippers all find themselves pulled outside during these short weeks of transformation. The timing shifts each year, but October remains the magic month.

With mountain trails glowing first and city gardens holding color late, there’s a place for every schedule. Here are fifteen viewpoints and hikes with forecasted peak windows for 2025.

1. Maple Pass Loop (North Cascades, SR-20), Peak ~ Oct 6–15

High ridgelines circle a glacial basin where larches ignite in yellow against jagged peaks. The trail loops above Lake Ann, offering constant views. Crisp mountain air mixes with the scent of evergreens, sharpening every detail of the landscape. Crowds come for the spectacle, but the sweep of scenery always feels larger than them.

The climb tests lungs, yet each turn reveals new color. Photographers linger as clouds drift across golden slopes. By mid-October, snow often creeps in, adding contrast to the fiery palette.

2. Blue Lake & Liberty Bell (Washington Pass), Oct 1–12

Alpine waters reflect granite towers rising into early snows. Tamaracks around the shoreline shift from green to dazzling gold. The trail is short but rewards with views that rival longer climbs. Granite walls of Liberty Bell form a dramatic backdrop above the lake.

Cool winds off the peaks carry the scent of pine needles. Hikers often pause at the shoreline, mesmerized by the reflection. Early October usually marks the high point of color, when larches glow like lanterns.

3. Cutthroat Pass (PCT / North Cascades), Oct 3–13

The Pacific Crest Trail winds through open meadows before climbing into larch country. Distant peaks spread wide across the horizon. Hikers follow switchbacks that open onto sweeping alpine vistas. Golden stands of tamarack dot the slopes like brushstrokes.

This section of trail feels remote despite its popularity. Weather can shift quickly, bringing mist or sudden sunbursts. The play of light against autumn color makes the journey unforgettable.

4. Washington Pass Overlook (drive-up views), Oct 3–13

A short stroll from the parking area delivers sweeping alpine theater. Granite spires rise beyond valleys brushed with gold. Larches dot the mountainsides like glowing embers scattered across the ridges. The overlook makes alpine foliage accessible without a long hike.

Visitors often linger at sunset, when the peaks burn orange. Even on cloudy days, the depth of the scenery holds power. October travelers find it one of the state’s easiest rewards.

5. Heather Meadows & Artist Point (Mount Baker), Oct 1–10

Boardwalks cross meadows where huckleberries flush red beneath snowy slopes. Mount Shuksan mirrors in tarns framed by fall color. The road climbs to Artist Point, where glaciers loom above fiery foliage. On clear mornings, the view stretches across to Mount Baker itself.

Blueberries stain fingers while air smells of frost. Painters and photographers often gather here, drawn by the vibrant contrasts. Early October usually delivers the most striking palette.

6. Paradise, Reflection & Bench/Snow Lakes (Mount Rainier NP), Oct 10–20

Trails near Paradise weave through meadows glowing red and orange. Reflection Lake mirrors the snowy volcano under autumn skies. Bench and Snow Lakes offer quieter corners with equally vivid colors. The shift in altitude creates a layered display from valley to peak.

Deer graze openly as tourists aim cameras skyward. Sunsets drape the mountain in pink, deepening the foliage tones. By late October, winter edges closer, ending the spectacle.

7. Sunrise & Chinook Pass / Naches Peak Loop (Rainier area), Oct 5–15

High meadows bloom in late color before frost arrives. The Naches Peak Loop circles alpine lakes and sweeping views. Tamaracks shine gold along the ridges, contrasting with Mount Rainier’s ice. The air feels crisp and thin, heightening every scent and sound.

Families hike here for manageable distance with big rewards. October mornings often bring fog lifting from valleys. The brief window of gold feels especially precious at this altitude.

8. Leavenworth Waterfront & Town Trails, Oct 10–20

Riverside paths wind beneath maples blazing red. Wooden bridges frame views of the Bavarian-style town backed by mountains. Local shops smell of pretzels and spiced cider, deepening the seasonal mood. The Wenatchee River carries fallen leaves downstream in glittering swirls.

Evening lights twinkle as colors fade into dusk. Trails near town make foliage accessible without travel. Visitors often time their trips for both Oktoberfest and peak color.

9. Lake Wenatchee State Park, Oct 8–18

Aspens and cottonwoods turn bright gold along the shoreline. Snow-dusted peaks reflect across the wide mountain lake. Campgrounds fill quickly during peak weeks as families chase crisp air. Canoes slip across waters strewn with drifting leaves.

The contrast of lake blues and forest fire tones captivates. Walks along sandy beaches feel especially serene in autumn. October afternoons often bring stillness broken only by bird calls.

10. Icicle Gorge Nature Loop (Leavenworth), Oct 8–18

A gentle path follows the rushing Icicle River. Cottonwoods, maples, and evergreens weave together in multicolored tapestries. The sound of water amplifies the quiet rhythm of the season. Bridges cross to views framed by jagged peaks.

Hikers of all levels enjoy the flat terrain and dramatic setting. Families linger by riverbanks, tossing pebbles into swirling currents. The loop becomes a living gallery of autumn’s range.

11. Hamilton Mountain (Beacon Rock SP, Columbia River Gorge—WA side), Oct 12–22

Cliffs rise above waterfalls framed by golden maples. Switchbacks climb to expansive views of the Columbia River. The foliage shifts from deep greens at the base to fiery hues above. The trail’s variety of scenery makes it a favorite during autumn.

Wind funnels through the gorge, carrying a cool edge. Each waterfall feels more dramatic against the seasonal backdrop. October hikers find both challenge and reward here.

12. Lake Crescent & Elwha River (Olympic NP), Oct 10–22

Glacial waters gleam deep blue against forests turning gold. Trails follow the shoreline and wander upriver toward hot springs. Mist clings to ridges above the lake each morning. Sunlight breaks through to ignite the leaves.

The Elwha’s recovering ecosystem adds a sense of renewal. Visitors note salmon runs alongside autumn color. Together, they mark the season’s cycles of change.

13. Hoh & Quinault Rain Forests (Olympic Peninsula), Oct 10–25

Emerald mosses remain constant as maples flare orange and yellow. Ferns carpet the forest floor beneath cathedral-like trees. The damp air carries scents of earth and cedar. Sunbeams turn fog into shafts of gold.

Few places feel so primeval yet seasonal. The mix of evergreen and deciduous growth creates surprising variety. October visitors walk through living contrasts of permanence and change.

14. Washington Park Arboretum & Seattle Japanese Garden, Oct 15–25

Maples flare crimson over winding paths. Willows hang golden above reflective ponds. Stone lanterns and arched bridges frame tranquil scenes. The Japanese Garden’s koi drift beneath floating leaves.

City sounds fade inside these curated landscapes. Each turn reveals a carefully balanced composition of texture and color. Mid-to-late October usually brings the most vibrant spectrum.

15. Riverside State Park & Dishman Hills (Spokane area), Oct 7–15

Ponderosa pines tower above valleys streaked with yellow cottonwoods. The Spokane River winds through canyon walls glowing with autumn light. Dishman Hills adds rocky overlooks above rolling woodland. Trails spread widely, offering both solitude and easy access.

Local families hike here year after year, building traditions. The early October peak comes before frosts harden the palette. Eastern Washington’s dryness sharpens the clarity of every color.