Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage in Seattle (2024)

fall colors in a park that has some of the best fall foliage in Seattle

It may be known as the Emerald City, but you can find some of the best fall foliage in Seattle. With stunning red, orange, yellow, and gold colors all around the city come autumn, I’ve noticed it get more vibrant over the years as Seattle temperatures get warmer.

The leaves start changing in mid-to-late September and really shine throughout October. For example, the Japanese maple in my front yard turns the most gorgeous hue of orange around Halloween. So Seattle is a great place for fall colors late into the fall season.

Whether you only have an hour or the whole day to go leaf peeping, I’ve outlined all the best fall foliage in Seattle, the Eastside, and within a few hours drive from the city. Happy leaf hunting!

Best Fall Foliage in Seattle

Here’s where to find fall colors in Seattle. These spots are perfect if you only have a few hours!

Washington Park Arboretum

website | 2300 Arboretum Drive E | Montlake

This is probably the best fall foliage in Seattle proper. The Washington Park Arboretum runs along Lake Washington and has 230 acres of plants, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. The free park is jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle and has some of the best walking trails in the city.

The arboretum is also home to the Seattle Japanese Garden, which has stunning Japanese-style landscape installations. It costs $10 for adults and $6 for kids to get in. They accept walk ups on weekdays, but encourage reservations on weekends.

Fall foliage in Seattle at Washington Park Arboretum — *Photo courtesy of Joe Wolf*

Kubota Garden

website | 55th Ave S | Rainier Beach

Kubota Garden is a hidden gem in Seattle. It was purchased by Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, a man with a passion for gardening. After his death in the 70s his sons and grandsons maintained the property before selling it to Seattle Parks in the late 80s.

Now it’s a dog-friendly public park carrying on Mr. Kubota’s vision for creating a peaceful place to bring people together. While entry and parking is free, they accept donations via boxes at the entrance.

Huge tree with fall colors in Seattle — *Photo courtesy of Kubota Gardens*

Seward Park

website | 5900 Lake Washington Boulevard S | Seward Park

Seward Park is one of the best Seattle viewpoints if you like water views. It’s right on Lake Washington, lined with trees that turn gold and reflect in the water come autumn. Walk the the paved loop trail to take in the beautiful Seattle fall colors.

fall foliage in Seattle along Lake Washington — *Photo courtesy of Joe Mabel*

Discovery Park

website | 3801 Discovery Park Blvd | Magnolia

I may be biased because I used to live in Magnolia, but Discovery Park is one of the best parks in Seattle. It has 534 acres to explore, most of which are right on a bluff with stunning views of the Puget Sound. This makes it a popular spot in summer, but I think the best time to visit is fall when the grasses turn yellow and become dotted with orange and red trees.

Discover Park showing the best fall foliage in Seattle — *Photo courtesy of Seattle Parks & Recreation*

Green Lake

website | 7201 E Green Lake Dr N | Green Lake

While Discovery Park is my favorite park, Green Lake is the one I’m at the most since I play softball here every weekend in the summer and early fall. The lush trees bending over the paved path looping the lake turn the most magical gold color. When the leaves start dropping, they cover the area with a yellow carpet that looks completely different than in the summer.

Green Lake in Seattle during fall — *Photo courtesy of Seattle Parks & Recreation*

Carkeek Park

website | 950 Carkeek Park Rd | Greenwood

Carkeek Park is another one of the hidden gems in Seattle, this time in north Seattle. It has a ton of trails through wooded areas that turn orange and gold. Marvel at the fall colors under the shade of the trees that lead you out to a beach overlooking the Puget Sound with the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

Carkeek Park in Seattle during fall — *Photo courtesy of Seattle Parks & Recreation*

Lincoln Park

website | 801 Fauntleroy Way SW | West Seattle

I actually have yet to visit Lincoln Park, but I’ve seen breathtaking photos of red leaves shading the paved path that runs along the water. Sadly I don’t have rights to any of these photos to share here with you, but this park is right near some of my favorite West Seattle restaurants and the Fauntleroy terry terminal, so I’ll definitely be visiting next time I take a day trip to Vashon Island.

Lincoln Park, home to some of the best fall foliage in Seattle — *Photo courtesy of Mark Ahlness*

Magnuson Park

website | 7400 Sand Point Way NE | Sand Point

I’m in Magnuson every year during the holidays because some of my favorite Seattle holiday markets are hosted at Hangar 30. But the best time of year to visit this pretty park on Lake Washington is in fall when the trees lining the water turn a rusty orange and red.

best fall foliage in Seattle with a rainbow in background — *Photo courtesy of Joe Mabel*

Bloedel Reserve

website | 7571 NE Dolphin Dr | Bainbridge Island, WA

If you’re planning a day trip to Bainbridge Island, make sure to check out Bloedel Reserve for pretty fall colors. It’s a series of curated gardens and installations designed by founders Prentice and Virginia Bloedel. You’ll find paths meandering pass Japanese maples a fire-y orange and grasses a golden yellow.

You need tickets to gain access to the gardens. It costs $22 for adults and must be reserved ahead.

Bloedel Reserve during fall — *Photo courtesy of Joe Mabel*

Cedar River Trail

website | 901 Nishiwaki Ln | Renton, WA

The Cedar River Trail is a 17.4-mile mostly paved path popular among bikers and runners. It follows the Cedar River from the community of Landsburg to Lake Washington.

Along the path you’ll see some of the best fall foliage in Seattle. One memorable area is where it runs along the West Seattle Golf Course, which has stunning fall foliage dotting the green.

aerial view of the best fall foliage in Seattlle — *Photo courtesy of Rudy Willingham on behalf of Visit Seattle*

Gene Coulon Park

website | 1200 Lake Washington Blvd N | Renton, WA

Renton is home to another park with some of the best fall foliage in Seattle. Gene Coulon Park is a 57-acre park with paths and fields popular for walking and picnicking. While your furry friends aren’t allowed in this park, it’s well worth a visit to see the fire red trees lining the road.

tree lined street with blazing fall foliage — *Photo courtesy of Shelly Munkberg*

Fall colors on the Eastside of Seattle

Here are places to visit on the other side of Lake Washington.

St. Edward State Park

website | 14445 Juanita Dr NE | Kenmore, WA

St. Edward is another park with stunning fall colors. It’s also home to a historic monastery that was turned into the most unique hotels in Washington state, so this park is no my list to visit!

Historic monastery hotel at St Edward State Park in Washington

Bellevue Botanical Garden

website | 12001 Main St | Bellevue, WA

Unlike most botanical gardens, the Bellevue one is free to visit. Once inside you’ll have access to 53 acres of landscaped gardens and natural wetlands that come alive with vibrant warm hues come autumn.

Fall color leaves in Seattle — *Photo courtesy of Joe Mabel*

Marymoor Park

website | 6046 Lake Sammamish Parkway NE | Redmond, WA

Dan used to live in Redmond. I still remember marveling at the golden trees lining the road to get to Marymoor Park, a 630-acre behemoth known for play fields, dog parks, concerts, summer movies, and Cirque du Soleil. The trees dotted the park turn beautiful colors and carpet the grass with leaves come fall.

Fall colors in Seattle at Marymoor Park — *Photo courtesy of Cindy Shebley*

Mercer Slough Park

website | 2100 118th St SE | Bellevue, WA

I used to go blueberry picking with my nieces each summer at Mercer Slough (now closed), but the real draw here is autumn when the trees turn the deepest red I’ve ever seen. You’ll find trails like the Bellefields Loop Trail weaving around forested wetlands and meadows. There’s also a boardwalk and Environmental Education Center for learning more about the wildlife that calls Mercer Slough home.

Fall colors in Seattle at Mercer Slough Park — *Photo courtesy of McZusatz*

Fall foliage worth the drive from Seattle

If you have a full day to go leaf peeping, here are spots for fall color near Seattle within a few hours drive.

RockWood Farm

website | 8100 428th Ave SE | Snoqualmie, WA

RockWood Farm is a private property only 25 miles east of Seattle. They have the most magical tree-lined driveway that turns a bright orange. You’ll often see people at the gate sneaking their hands through the gaps with their phone for photos, but you can also stay at Airbnbs on the property or book photography sessions.

Photography sessions start at $350 for 2 hours and their 4 Airbnbs start at ~$200/night.

beautiful fall leaves all over the ground on a farm near Seattle — *Photo courtesy of RockWood Farm*

Fort Stemiahoom State Park

website | 8714 87th Ave SW | Lakewood, WA

I stumbled across Stemiahoom during a fall trip to Lakewood and it’s become one of my favorite things to do in Tacoma. There’s a peaceful paved trail that loops a lake and offers benches for taking in the vibrant yellow colors.

Baker Snoqualmie National Forest

Mount Baker is one of the most beautiful spots in Washington state for leaf peeping. There are obviously a ton of trails and viewpoints to visit considering this area is 1.7 million acres, but one great option is Heather Meadows.

This area near the eastern part of the Mt Baker Scenic Byway has a visitor center with a miles of trails for different skill levels. A great option is the easy Bagley Lakes with views of the Cascade Mountains, but you’ll be in for stunning fall colors no matter which trail you pick.

Bagley Lakes at Heather Meadows for fall colors — *Photo courtesy of Jasperdo*

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

website | 100 Brown Farm Rd NE | Olympia, WA)

One of my favorite things to do in Olympia is walk the boardwalk at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. It takes you over delicate marshland that turns gold in the fall. You’ll pass barns, go through forest, and see herons and other birds darting around the brush.

wildlife refuge during fall — *Photo courtesy of Brylie Oxley*

Mt. Rainier National Park

website | Paradise Rd E | Ashford, WA

One of my absolute favorite places for fall colors is Mt. Rainier. Paradise specifically has a ton of gold, red, and orange leaves everywhere! Check out my guide to the best Mt. Rainier hikes for places to visit. I last went in fall so most of my photos will give you an idea of what to expect.

woman walking on Mt Rainier hike trail with beautiful fall colors

Leavenworth

website | Waterfront Park | Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth is one of my go-to fall destinations thanks to larches and the gorgeous fall colors you’ll see on the 2.5 hour drive from Seattle. If you’re not familiar with laches, they’re evergreen trees that turn gold and drop their needles as if they were deciduous trees. You can see a larch next to me in the picture below starting to change colors.

If you’re interested in finding these magical specimens, check out my guide to the best larch hikes in Washington, many of which are in or near Leavenworth! If larches aren’t in season yet, there are still plenty of fantastic Leavenworth hiking trails.

Don’t forget to fuel up at some of Leavenworth’s best restaurants afterwards. If you need a place to stay, book one of these dreamy Leavenworth cabins.

woman sitting on ledge overlooking lake, mountains, and trees

North Cascades National Park

website | 326 Newhalem Rd | Marblemount, WA

Washington’s only free National Park is also a great spot for leaf peeping, but it’s the furthest away from Seattle. A day trip will take about 2.5 hours each way. However, the remote area has some of the most stunning larch hikes and fall foliage.

To make the most of your trip, use my North Cascade itinerary to plot out the best fall hikes.