Where To Find Stunning Fall Foliage In The Pacific Northwest

As the leaves turn and Halloween decorations pop up around town, people can’t help but gaze at the vibrant Fall foliage. In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), it’s pretty impossible to miss. From golden vineyards to fiery maples, orange hues splash across the evergreens to steal the show. Still, some places seem more meant for this time of year than others, so here is the low-down on stunning autumn views in the PNW. If you’re not satisfied with our list, you can always call the U.S. Forest Service Fall Colors Hotline at +800 354 4595 for expert tips.

View All Trips

Gardens and arboretums

It’s no surprise that the spots designed for beauty will best showcase October shades. From the state of Washington, with the Kubota Garden and the Washington State Arboretum, to Oregon, with Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum, to southwest Canada, with Victoria’s Butchart Gardens and Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden, brilliant colors complement the original splendor of each location. Featured in the reflection of tranquil ponds and draping over picturesque bridges, the dying leaves seem almost to come to life.

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

Kubota Garden, 9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA, +1 206 725 5060

Washington State Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA, +1 206 543 8800

Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221, USA, +1 503 865 8733

Butchart gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8, Canada, +1 250 652 4422

VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1, Canada, +1 604 257 8335

Mt. Rainier National Park

Park

If any place were suited for scenic viewing without being intentionally designed as such, it would probably be somewhere with limited human development, like, oh, I don’t know, a national park. Mt. Rainier National Park has got it, and flaunts it. The best areas on the mountain for the brilliant colors include Paradise, Reflection Lakes, Bench and Snow Lakes, and the Grove of the Patriarchs. Driving along Chinook Pass on State Route 410 or the White Pass Scenic Byway on US Highway 12 will also provide astonishing vistas.

Mt. Hood National Forest

Forest, Park

Another jackpot spot for Fall foliage, Mt. Hood National Forest has beautiful options in its National Scenic Byway, Salmon River, Multnomah, Wahkeena Falls, Oneonta Gorge, and Horsetail Falls. Guided tours are also available through Mt. Hood Adventure and The Resort at The Mountain. Otherwise, consider wandering the forest to see what you can see!

Hatley Castle

Building, Museum, University

Hatley Castle on Vancouver Island was completed in 1908. Once serving as part of the Royal Roads Military College, the building now serves as the administrative offices for Royal Roads University. The castle’s museum is located in the basement and offers free tours, though donations are appreciated. The castle grounds include Italian gardens, rose gardens, and Japanese gardens. Parts of the castle itself are covered in ivy, like a green blanket that burns red in autumn. When the grounds catch up to the colors of the ivy, the already spectacular castle becomes truly enchanting.

Silver Falls State Park

Park, Natural Feature

The largest state park in Oregon and one of the state’s most popular parks, Silver Falls State Park is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Complemented by waterfalls and canyon bridges, autumn is one of the best times to visit. Golden leaves brighten the already eye-opening area known especially for its waterfalls. The Trail of Ten Falls will lead you by, and sometimes behind, the best ones.

International Selkirk Loop

Okay, so choosing a trail that spans a quarter of the PNW as a single Fall foliage spot might be cheating a little, but it’s all so pretty! Surrounding the Selkirk Mountain Range, the trail loops through Canada, Idaho, and Washington State. Golden Western Larch leaves put on a show along with plenty of options for side-trails. A highly recommended detour is the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge where you can add gorgeous creatures to the scenery.

Columbia River Gorge

Park

First things first, the technical designation for this gorgeous (#puns) area is the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The U.S. government has already recognized how beautiful it is and spends money to protect it – how’s that for an endorsement! When it comes to Fall colors, Beacon State Park, Route 20 (Maple Pass and Lake Ann), the Historic Columbia River Highway, and the Lewis and Clark Trail Scenic Byway all come highly recommended.

Columbia River gorge, Hood River, OR 97031, USA

Leavenworth town

Park

You know you’ve found a good Fall foliage spot in a town that hosts its own Autumn Leaf Festival! The charming Leavenworth is a great starting point for autumn vistas since it is nestled in the Cascade Mountains. Nearby trails and routes for admiring the Fall colors include The Enchantments, Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, Tumwater Canyon, Apple Capital Loop Trail, and Blackbird Island. Otherwise, stay in town at Waterfront Park for something just as stunning.

Leavenworth, Washington, USA

Fremont-Winema National Forest

Forest

The Fremont-Winema National Forest is a particularly interesting location due to the rare Aspens that dot the area. Trails such as Mount McLoughlin Trail, Gearhart Mountain Trail, and Billie Creek Nature Trail will get you your autumn hue fix. Alternatively, find a more panoramic view on Crane Mountain. By car or canoe, you can also explore Rocky Point for photographic views.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Bridge, Forest

The third and final national forest on the list, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie is best viewed from either the Mt. Baker Byway on State Route 542 or the North Cascades Highway on State Route 20. Of course, if you get bored of stunning shades of red, yellow, and orange, there are plenty of nearby outdoor activities to get you moving. In fact, this is true of most places on the list. Either way, happy Fall!

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Marblemount, WA 98267, USA

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.