There’s something magical about Washington State fall drives. While the state’s lush green forests are iconic—it’s known as the Evergreen State, after all—autumn brings an explosion of color as larches, maples, and aspens turn crimson, golden yellow, and bright orange. Below are a few stellar drives for leaf peeping throughout the state. From late September through October, you can hop in the car and see the riot of fall foliage for yourself.
Washington State Fall Drives
Stevens Pass Greenway
The 104-mile Stevens Pass Greenway follows the scenic Skykomish River as it winds along Highway 2 through the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. This snippet of the epic 440-mile Cascade Loop is a great option if you’re short on time. Head out from Everett and stop at Osprey Park in Sultan to catch the salmon as they return to spawn (the annual Return of the Salmon Festival is held on the last Saturday in September).
After cresting Stevens Pass, head down through Tumwater Canyon, taking in the red vine maples, scarlet dogwoods, and yellowy orange cottonwoods. End your drive with a stop in the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth. The town’s Autumn Leaf Festival is held in September and features ompah music, dancing, and parades in an idyllic setting.
Mount Rainier, Chinook Scenic Byway
Starting in Enumclaw, the Chinook Scenic Byway runs 92 miles along State Route 410, passing through lush Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and iconic Mount Rainier National Park. As you head over Chinook Pass, the vine maple, high-elevation huckleberry bushes, cottonwoods, ashes, and larches light up the mountain landscape with a flaming palate.
Stop a the Skookum Falls Viewpoint for sweeping views of the 250-foot waterfall surrounded by vibrant vine maples. Stretch your legs on the Skookum Flats Trail, a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike along the White River to the base of the falls. Once in Naches, stop by Thompson Farm and Market for a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and hay rides.
Chuckanut Drive
In Northwest Washington, Chuckanut Drive winds 21 miles along Puget Sound’s rocky shore from Burlington to Bellingham. Scarlet and orange foliage light up this ribbon of highway as you pass through farmland and skirt the Chuckanut Mountains’ sandstone cliffs. Take it slow and enjoy the sweeping water views and the San Juan Islands in the distance. The combination of coastal scenery and fall colors makes this a standout Washington State fall drive.
This route is especially great for seafood lovers, as oyster season overlaps with peak leaf peeping during October. Stop at Taylor Shellfish Farm’s Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market in Bow for freshly shucked oysters right from the bay. Or try the upscale Oyster Bar just up the road. In October, catch the Festival of Family Farms, which takes place at farms throughout the Skagit Valley, including Taylor Shellfish. Visitors can meet shellfish farmers, learn about clean water practices, tour the farm’s oyster beds, and watch shucking demonstrations.
Columbia River Gorge Highway 14
With waterfalls and craggy basalt formations towering over the river, the Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular drive any time of year. Come fall, the bigleaf maples, oaks, and vine maples add drama with ruby reds, golds, and oranges, setting the stage for a stellar fall road trip. For an expansive vista across the river valley, head to Beacon Rock State Park. The 2-mile gains about 600 feet and includes a famous 52-switchback section drilled into the basalt pillar itself. In nearby Stevenson, sip a seasonal beer at Clark and Lewie’s Traveler’s Rest Saloon. Their patio is right on the water with fabulous Gorge views.
Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area
Stretching along Interstate 90 from Seattle to the east side of the Cascade Mountains, the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area offers plenty of places to stop and take in fall color. In Bellevue, visit the Bellevue Botanical Garden or explore an urban wetland at Mercer Slough Nature Park, where you can take in vibrant red blueberry plants as you wander the boardwalk and trails. The Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a multi-use trail that runs 32 miles from Duvall to Rattlesnake Lake, is also a great option for leaf-peeping. Further east at Snoqualmie Pass, Gold Creek Pond features a 1-mile ADA-accessible trail that enjoys stellar mountain views and an explosion of color from maple vines.
Methow Valley, Winthrop to Carlton
In the fall, the Methow Valley comes alive with color, from vivid crimson to blazing yellows, and the backroads between Winthrop and Carlton offer a front-row seat. The Old-West town of Winthrop welcomes fall foliage enthusiasts with its charming main street and art galleries. Cruise the Winthrop-Twisp Eastside Road, which meanders past a patchwork of ranches before following the Twisp-Carlton Road, a byway snaking between the Methow River and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
This Washington State fall drive is perfect for those looking to try local cider (the region is known for its apples and pears). Grab a pint at the Twisp River Tap House, which boasts a riverside patio and live music. In late September, the Twisp Fest fall celebration takes place in downtown Twisp with music, pumpkin bowling, burlap sack races, an art market, and more.
Spokane Valley to Green Bluff
This short and sweet 15-mile drive between Spokane Valley and Green Bluff encompasses the spirit of autumn and is a great Washington fall road trip on the eastern side of the state. Not only do the maples and oaks show off their color, but you can embrace harvest season with a visit to one of Green Bluff’s many farms along the way. Beck’s Harvest House hosts a Harvest Festival six days a week mid-September through mid-October with a corn maze, pumpkin donuts, live music, fall produce, and food trucks. Heading south, stop by Walter’s Fruit Ranch on October weekends for u-pick apples and pumpkins. In the Spokane Valley, the three-day Valleyfest features a parade, car show, and three performance stages. Stretch your legs by walking or biking a portion of the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which boasts colorful foliage along the river come autumn.
Sequim to the Hoh Rainforest
In autumn, the Olympic Peninsula’s brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds contrast dramatically against the evergreens. This 105-mile drive starts on the northern coast in Sequim, home of Jan and Randy’s Farm, a fall destination with u-pick flowers and veggies, a pumpkin patch, and a farm stand. Follow Highway 101 through Port Angeles and down to Forks, stopping to explore rocky and windswept coastal beaches along the way. At the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, choose from several great short hikes, including the Spruce Nature Trail, which skirts Taft Creek and the Hoh River. Though crowds for this popular spot are smaller during fall, midweek travel is always a good bet.
About the Author
Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks, Alaska Airlines Magazine, and Adventure Cyclist Magazine. When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.