Tumwater Canyon
Scenic drive · Washington
Highway 2 squeezes through this granite gorge west of Leavenworth, where vine maples flare scarlet against the Wenatchee River each October. Numerous pullouts along the eleven-mile stretch make it the valley's most-photographed fall drive.
Don’t miss
Peak: September 11–September 15
Color builds from August 29 · mostly bare by September 29
Sampled at Tumwater Canyon’s own coordinates and elevation (531 m) rather than a regional average.
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. How the forecast works
When to go to Tumwater Canyon
Good color holds through about September 20, giving you roughly 22 days from the first turn to past peak. It sits at 1,742 ft, high enough to turn before the valleys do.
From Seattle it is about 75 mi, close enough for a morning drive.
Tumwater Canyon on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Washington, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does Tumwater Canyon peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for September 11–September 15 (best estimate September 13). Color starts around August 29 and is mostly bare by September 29.
- How do I get to Tumwater Canyon?
- The closest city is Seattle, about 75 mi away. It's part of Washington's fall lineup.
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