Updated Sep 28
Pictured: Washington Pass · typical peak lookWashingtonfall foliage
Where is fall color peaking in Washington right now?
No official report has come in for fall foliage yet this season.
Updated Sep 28.
Places in Washington
Each place's usual window, earliest first
- Washington Pass
Usually Sep 21–Oct 10
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Places by state
Washington
- Mount RainierIn its usual window
Local timing: Sep 1–30
- Washington PassIn its usual window
Usually Sep 21–Oct 10
- Mountain Loop HighwayStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
- Wind RiverStarts in ~4 weeks
Statewide: usually well under way by late October
Official reports
Dated and linked
- Sep 27Park ServiceA suspension bridge over a rock gorge and a waterfall; season April 1 to December 1; low trails melt out by mid-MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Trail #152A Falls Creek Falls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceA short hike, under a mile, to a viewing platformSource (opens US Forest Service, Trail #137 Panther Creek Falls in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceNearby waterfalls: Panther Creek Falls is an easy 200-yard walk to a viewing platformSource (opens US Forest Service, Wind River Historic District in a new tab)
Show all 26
- Sep 27Park ServiceElevations from 1,200 ft at Wind River to 12,276 ft on Mt. Adams; climbing pass May 1 to September 30; Lewis River reservations June 15 to September 30Source (opens US Forest Service, Mt. Adams area in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceBrief alpine bloom, generally mid-July to mid-AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Mt. Adams Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail, Adams Creek (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceAlpine meadows in bloom in late July and AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Tatoosh Ridge (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park Service55-mile byway, full loop usually late spring through fallSource (opens US Forest Service, Mountain Loop Scenic Byway in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceTrail from Barlow Pass among vine maplesSource (opens US Forest Service, Old Monte Cristo Townsite Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceFall colors arrive as snow levels dropSource (opens US Forest Service, Mt. Baker Highway in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceA 400-foot fall, best in April or MaySource (opens US Forest Service, Snoquera Falls Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceRoad open about July to October; chains November to AprilSource (opens US Forest Service, Artist Point Trailhead in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServicePeak wildflower season July and AugustSource (opens US Forest Service, Celebrating Wildflowers: Skyline Divide (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceClassic fall color hike late September to early October; scattered larch near the lake below Liberty Bell MountainSource (opens Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Blue Lake Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceLarches turn gold and huckleberry red; the pass leads into North Cascades National ParkSource (opens Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Easy Pass Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceWildflowers in July and August, golden alpine larch in fall; above tree line from Rainy PassSource (opens Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop Trail in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceShort paved trail to views of Liberty Bell and Early Winters Spires; closed in winter with State Route 20Source (opens Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington Pass Observation Site in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServiceSnow falls October to May; high western trails can stay snowbound into early AugustSource (opens Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Pasayten Wilderness in a new tab)
- Sep 27Park ServicePeak wildflowers usually in the first three weeks of July at Washington's highest drivable pointSource (opens Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers, Hart's Pass in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceIn September, meadows start to turn red, orange and yellowSource (opens National Park Service, Discover Mount Rainier's wildflowers in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceVisitation peaks July and August; enter before 10 a.m. or after 2:30 p.m.Source (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier hours in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceSept 2026: SR 410 Chinook Pass open; Sunrise road closed by firesSource (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier road status in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceHuckleberry near Paradise turns brilliant red in fallSource (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier plants in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceSkyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, 1 mileSource (opens National Park Service, Paradise in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceNaches Peak Loop 3.4 miles with autumn color; Tipsoo LakeSource (opens National Park Service, Sunrise and White River in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceMany flowers blooming by mid-July; meadows impressive by AugustSource (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier wildflower status in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceTire chains required Nov 1 – May 1Source (opens National Park Service, Mount Rainier FAQ in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Washington in 2026?
In a typical year Washington Pass peaks Sep 21–Oct 10. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see fall foliage in Washington?
We track 4 places: Washington Pass (usually Sep 21–Oct 10), Mount Rainier, Mountain Loop Highway and Wind River.
Why does color come earlier in some places?
Higher ground turns first. In the Great Smoky Mountains, color can start as early as mid-September at the highest elevations, develops above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, and reaches the lower and middle slopes between mid-October and early November.Source: National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do you track fall foliage?
Each place moves through 6 stages: Still green, First color, Moderate, High color, Peak and Past peak. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.