When do the leaves change in Washington?
Western larch turns whole North Cascades slopes gold along Washington Pass and the Methow Valley, while vine maple flares scarlet in lower Cascade foothills. Peak color typically arrives mid-to-late October across the mountains.
Peak: October 4–October 29
Color builds from September 26 · mostly bare by November 5
34 weather points cover Washington, and the model shifts their answer 2 days earlier, which is what it takes to match 2 published peak dates from smokymountains.com, king5.com and 1 other source. This year's weather has the peak running 5 days later than a normal year. Washington does not turn all at once, and the gap from the earliest corner to the latest runs about 25 days. How the forecast works
Known for
Things to do in fall in Washington
19 iconic stops, including scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Washington Park Arboretum
ArboretumPeak October 20
The 230-acre arboretum on Lake Washington runs vivid from mid-October into November, with Japanese maples along Azalea Way, the Pacific…
Kubota Garden
GardenPeak October 18
Fujitaro Kubota's 20-acre Japanese garden in Rainier Beach layers maples over ponds, bridges, and stonework.
Green Lake Park
City parkPeak October 20
The city's favorite 2.8-mile loop rings Green Lake with sweetgums, maples, and cottonwoods that color through late October.
Franklin Falls
TrailTypically October 1–October 20
An easy two-mile round trip off Snoqualmie Pass through old-growth hemlock and cedar to a 70-foot waterfall, with vine maple burning red…
Mount Rainier, Paradise
National parkTypically September 15–October 5
Paradise at 5,400 feet doesn't do tree color.
The Enchantments
TrailTypically September 25–October 15
Washington's alpine larches turn gold in the first week of October, and the Enchantments' granite basins near Leavenworth are their…
Leavenworth
Historic townColor nearby peaks September 14
This Bavarian-themed village at the foot of the Cascades leans hard into fall, with an Oktoberfest running three weekends in October and…
Color nearby peaks September 16
A roadside fruit stand and farm park on Highway 2 between Leavenworth and Cashmere, Smallwood's has anchored Wenatchee Valley apple country…
Leaves & views
Farms & harvest
Cider & donuts
Guides
Understand the season in Washington
Short explainers on why and when the color arrives here.
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Washington in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 4–October 29 (best estimate October 16). Color starts around September 26 and trees are mostly bare by November 5.
- How reliable is the Washington forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out. Mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is Washington's autumn season?
- Washington is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 40 days end to end, centered on October 16, and the last 11 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Washington?
- The iconic stops: Washington Park Arboretum, Kubota Garden, Green Lake Park, Franklin Falls, Mount Rainier, Paradise, The Enchantments. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Washington
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 4–October 29
September 26 → November 5