Japanese Maple Trees in the Seattle Arboretum

Cindy Shebley

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Seattle is surrounded by mountains, forests, and water, which makes it an excellent destination for a fall leaf-peeping excursion. Despite the dominance of evergreens in the area, the city also boasts a large variety of deciduous trees such as Japanese Maple and Western Red Cedar, which change color beautifully.

Peak Season of Fall Leaves in Seattle

The prime period to enjoy fall colors in Seattle is October, although the exact timing depends on the weather. In some years, it's possible to see the first foliage displays as early as late September, and sometimes the leaves stay on the trees until Thanksgiving, in late November. Due to the El Niño phenomenon, which results in a balmy and dry weather, the fall foliage season might last longer in Seattle.

Places to See Fall Foliage in Seattle

Seattle parks are your best choice to absorb the colors of the season in the city. The Emerald City boasts many lush green spaces, which turn all shades of vibrant yellow, orange, and red during fall. Over 485 parks offer a variety of landscapes: from beaches to rich forests and exquisite formal gardens. Some of the top places to see include Discovery Park, Washington Park Arboretum, and Kubota Garden.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest urban oasis, which occupies about 534 acres (216 ha) on Magnolia Bluff. It has tidal beaches, picturesque cliffs, forests, meadows, and sand dunes. There are many areas with scenic fall foliage and picnic tables for a pleasant weekend outdoors, and also 11 miles (18 km) of hiking trails. Discovery Park Loop Trail is one of the most popular options, which offers magnificent views of the Olympic Mountains, wildflowers, and vibrant leaves of maples. While at the grounds, you can also visit West Point Lighthouse, an active Washington State lighthouse

The park is open from 4:30 am until 11 pm with free admission to the public. Free beach parking passes are available for families with children under six, seniors over 62 years old, and people with disabilities.

Washington Park Arboretum

Seattle Arboretum fall colors are another must-see. This majestic park is situated on the lakeshore of Lake Washington and provides 230 acres (93 ha) of mesmerizing flora for visitors to explore. You can go straight to the Japanese Garden at the south entrance, where Japanese and Asiatic maples create stunning color combinations. The Woodland Garden, on the other hand, is adorned with burnt orange and red foliage of redvein enkianthus, golden shades of Japanese spicebush, and burgundy leaves of sourwood. While strawberry trees don't display traditional fall colors, they are notable for tender bell flowers, which bloom in October. Sorrei trees and black gum trees create a wonderful reddish-purple backdrop for your snapshots.

The Arboretum is open from dawn until 8 pm and offers free admission. While you're there, consider visiting art exhibits, workshops, and tours around the park. Boating is another popular activity, while birding lets you witness some fascinating bird species.

Kubota Garden

The smaller Kubota Garden is another beautiful nook full of Japanese maples. Relax in this perfectly architectured area with a waterfall and a fish pond. There are also free fall foliage public tours to showcase the most beautiful areas in the park. The Garden boasts an interesting selection of Japanese and Pacific-Northwest tree varieties turning gold and amber in October, completed by the visage of evergreen trees.

The grounds operate from sunrise until sunset, with parking lots being open from 7:30 am until 8 pm. Admission and parking is free. Free fall color tours are scheduled to take place from 10 am until 11:30 am on October 19-20 and October 26-27.

Fall Colors near Seattle

You can also find numerous scenic places near Seattle. Some of the eye-catching spots are hidden within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest north of the city. To the northwest, you'll explore the treasures of Olympic National Park's fall. Besides Leavenworth east of Seattle has reserved several gems for you too.

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Mount Baker and Snoqualmie National Forest offer quintessential North Cascades scenery with lush evergreen forests dotted with streaks of yellow, bronze, and gold. Your fall journey can start with Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, one of the most beautiful roads in Washington. It begins west of Bellingham and ends near the Mount Baker Ski Area at the breathtaking Artist Point. There, you'll enjoy the beautiful views of the Nooksack River Valley, Nooksack Falls, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and Heather Meadows. The distance from Seattle is 132 miles (212 km). To fully enjoy the area and all its amenities, consider purchasing a recreation pass, which costs $5. An annual pass costs $30.

Olympic National Park

Olympic Peninsula is one of the top destinations for fall colors in Washington. The journey from Seattle takes two hours by car (88 miles or 121 km). Once you get to the peninsula, head to the Olympic Discovery Trail. The path is designated for bikers and runners and showcases spectacular fall foliage displays along Morse Creek. Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls are other must-see spots where brilliant foliage looks flashy against turquoise water. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent to explore the park up close.

The park is open year-round. Admission to the park costs $15 per person, $25 per motorcycle, and $30 per vehicle. An Annual Pass costs $55 and grants you entry to the park for an entire year. America the Beautiful Pass covers not only the admission but also the amenities and day-use fees required at the grounds. Olympic National Park holds free entrance days throughout the year, including on September 28 and November 11.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is the premier leaf-peeping destination in Washington due to its fairy-tale landscape and the abundance of vine maples and cottonwood trees, which bring lots of red and orange into the picture. Starting in late September, the Bavarian village surrounded by Cascade mountains dresses up in golden and scarlet hues. Relax in the town's Waterfront Park, which looks simply stunning and is open from 6 am until 10 pm. In October, you can also attend the town's Oktoberfest, which is filled to the brim with fun and beer. Leavenworth is located approximately 117 miles (188 km) from Seattle and can be reached in about two hours by car.