10 of the best places to see fall colors in Washington
Washington State bursts with vibrant landscapes, especially as the fall season ushers in an array of spectacular colors. Here are ten of the best places to witness this autumnal splendor:
1.Mount Rainier National Park – Renowned for its dramatic scenery, fall brings an added layer of beauty with golden alpine larches and fiery vine maples against the backdrop of the park’s namesake peak.
2.North Cascades National Park – This rugged area offers a blend of deciduous and evergreen trees that create a dazzling display of reds, oranges, and yellows, particularly along the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
3.Leavenworth – This charming Bavarian-themed town is surrounded by mountains that boast a patchwork of fall colors. The Tumwater Canyon on Highway 2 is particularly breathtaking during autumn.
4.Olympic National Park – With its diverse ecosystems, the park offers a variety of fall scenes from the colorful maples in the Hoh Rain Forest to the golden meadows of Hurricane Ridge.
5.Spokane – Known as the ‘Lilac City’, Spokane’s John A. Finch Arboretum provides a stunning display of autumn leaves, with walking paths that wind through groves of ash, maple, and oak trees.
6.The Palouse – Rolling hills painted with shades of amber waves of grain are complemented by pops of color from aspen groves and riverside cottonwoods in this fertile agricultural region.
7.Wenatchee National Forest – Drive along the Wenatchee River where the forest landscape is set ablaze with color or hike to high vantage points like Sauer’s Mountain for panoramic views.
8.The Gorge Amphitheater – Not just a venue for concerts but also a place for fantastic fall foliage viewing along the Columbia River Gorge, particularly around late October.
9.Snoqualmie Pass – Take a hike on one of many trails like Gold Creek Pond Trail for accessible views of larches and huckleberry bushes in their full autumnal glory.
10.Walla Walla – Celebrated for wine, Walla Walla also boasts beautiful fall colors throughout its valley, vineyards included, making it both a visual and gastronomic delight.
As you travel through Washington State during fall, these spots offer some of the most picturesque scenes that highlight the seasonal change in all its natural beauty.