Washington Passfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. It usually peaks Sep 21–Oct 10.
Next 7 days
- Frost possible · low 34°FTuesday Night, Wednesday Night, Friday Night
- Rain likely · up to 95% chanceTonight, Tuesday
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 5:06 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest through the year
- Wildflowers on the Maple Pass loopJul–Aug
- Hart's Pass wildflower peakJul
- Larch and huckleberry colorNowSep–Oct
- Snow in the high countryOct–May
Best spots around Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- Blue Lake Trail #3142.2 miles to a turquoise lake with scattered larch, just past Washington Pass Overlook
- Lake Ann / Maple Pass LoopSteep loop above tree line from Rainy Pass; golden alpine larch and red huckleberry
- Easy Pass TrailLarches gold, huckleberries red; the pass drops into North Cascades National Park
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Blue Lake Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Easy Pass Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington Pass Observation Site (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Pasayten Wilderness (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers, Hart's Pass (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in 2026?
There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Sep 21–Oct 10. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.
How is the fall color in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
When do the larches turn at Washington Pass?
The Forest Service calls Blue Lake a classic fall color hike in late September and early October, when the slopes go red and gold. On Easy Pass and the Maple Pass loop the color comes from larches turning gold and huckleberry bushes turning red.Sources: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Blue Lake Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Easy Pass Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do I need a pass to park?
At the Blue Lake trailhead the Forest Service honors the Northwest Forest Pass, the Digital Day Pass and the Interagency America the Beautiful passes. If you hike over Easy Pass into North Cascades National Park, camping there needs a park backcountry permit, and dogs aren't allowed in the park.Sources: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Blue Lake Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Easy Pass Trail ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I visit in winter?
Not by car: the Washington Pass overlook can't be reached while the North Cascades Scenic Highway (State Route 20) is closed for winter. In the Pasayten Wilderness to the north, snow falls from October to May, and some high trails stay snowbound into early August.Sources: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington Pass Observation Site ↗ (opens in a new tab), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Pasayten Wilderness ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest?
Blue Lake Trail #314: 2.2 miles to a turquoise lake with scattered larch, just past Washington Pass Overlook; Lake Ann / Maple Pass Loop: steep loop above tree line from Rainy Pass; golden alpine larch and red huckleberry; Easy Pass Trail: larches gold, huckleberries red; the pass drops into North Cascades National Park.
What is Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest like through the year?
Hart's Pass wildflower peak (Jul), Wildflowers on the Maple Pass loop (Jul–Aug), Larch and huckleberry color (Sep–Oct) and Snow in the high country (Oct–May).