Washington Fall Foliage 2026
In a typical season, high ground around 7,100 feet peaks near September 6, with statewide peak timing around September 17 and a September 13–21 window. Valleys near 1,850 feet typically peak around September 24, while North Cascades larch peaks in the second half of October and Puget Sound lowlands in early November. Western larch, vine maple, bigleaf maple, and quaking aspen lead the display.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
When Washington peaks
Sep 13 – Sep 21
Centered on Sep 17. Larch peaks in the second half of October; the Puget Sound lowlands in early November.
high confidence. Near typical peak. Check recent reports before traveling.
Where peak usually lands. Drought or an early freeze moves it by a few days. Method
What turns here
- western larch
- vine maple
- bigleaf maple
- quaking aspen
Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 17Typical color progression for Washington. No change from Aug 10 to Aug 27. First color from Aug 27 to Sep 5. Approaching peak from Sep 5 to Sep 13. Peak from Sep 13 to Sep 21. Past peak from Sep 21 to Oct 1. Bare from Oct 1 to Oct 15.
Washington is typically at peak on this date.
Washington by county
17 days from Chelan County to Clark County.
8 of 39 counties are typically at peak today. Tap a location marker for coordinates and light times. Where peak usually lands. Boundaries: US Census, 2023. Elevation: USGS 3DEP + SRTM. Method
A county is still an average. Pierce County spans 21 days on its own, ridge to valley.
Every county, as text
| County | Typical peak | Stage today | Median elev. | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | Sep 23 – Oct 1 | Approaching peak | 1,617 ft | 2 days |
| Asotin County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 2,742 ft | 6 days |
| Benton County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 738 ft | 3 days |
| Chelan County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Peak | 3,692 ft | 14 days |
| Clallam County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 1,306 ft | 12 days |
| Clark County | Sep 30 – Oct 8 | First color | 405 ft | 5 days |
| Columbia County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 2,312 ft | 10 days |
| Cowlitz County | Sep 26 – Oct 4 | First color | 1,242 ft | 5 days |
| Douglas County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Approaching peak | 2,421 ft | 2 days |
| Ferry County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Peak | 3,313 ft | 9 days |
| Franklin County | Sep 26 – Oct 4 | First color | 955 ft | 2 days |
| Garfield County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 2,599 ft | 10 days |
| Grant County | Sep 23 – Oct 1 | Approaching peak | 1,432 ft | 4 days |
| Grays Harbor County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 178 ft | 2 days |
| Island County | Sep 25 – Oct 3 | Approaching peak | 139 ft | 1 days |
| Jefferson County | Sep 24 – Oct 2 | Approaching peak | 863 ft | 9 days |
| King County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 1,651 ft | 15 days |
| Kitsap County | Sep 27 – Oct 5 | First color | 40 ft | 0 days |
| Kittitas County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Peak | 3,386 ft | 10 days |
| Klickitat County | Sep 25 – Oct 3 | Approaching peak | 1,757 ft | 7 days |
| Lewis County | Sep 24 – Oct 2 | Approaching peak | 1,637 ft | 12 days |
| Lincoln County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Approaching peak | 2,115 ft | 3 days |
| Mason County | Sep 27 – Oct 5 | First color | 124 ft | 6 days |
| Okanogan County | Sep 15 – Sep 23 | Peak | 2,826 ft | 17 days |
| Pacific County | Sep 29 – Oct 7 | First color | 253 ft | 4 days |
| Pend Oreille County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Peak | 3,350 ft | 7 days |
| Pierce County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 1,733 ft | 21 days |
| San Juan County | Sep 24 – Oct 2 | Approaching peak | 50 ft | 2 days |
| Skagit County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 1,039 ft | 14 days |
| Skamania County | Sep 23 – Oct 1 | Approaching peak | 2,205 ft | 9 days |
| Snohomish County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 1,197 ft | 15 days |
| Spokane County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Approaching peak | 2,337 ft | 1 days |
| Stevens County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Peak | 2,581 ft | 4 days |
| Thurston County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 295 ft | 3 days |
| Wahkiakum County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 565 ft | 4 days |
| Walla Walla County | Sep 26 – Oct 4 | First color | 1,148 ft | 3 days |
| Whatcom County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Peak | 2,256 ft | 13 days |
| Whitman County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 1,857 ft | 4 days |
| Yakima County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Peak | 3,722 ft | 13 days |
Peak by elevation
18 days between the ridges and the valleys below them. The county map above averages that away.
| Elevation band | Approx. elevation | Typical peak | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| High ridges & passes | 7,100 ft | Sep 6 | Past peak |
| Mid elevation | 4,000 ft | Sep 17 | Peak |
| Valleys & lowlands | 1,850 ft | Sep 24 | Approaching peak |
Foliage stages
- No change 0–10%
- First color 10–25%
- Approaching peak 25–60%
- Peak 60–90%
- Past peak 40–70%, dropping
- Bare <20%
Light at peak
Washington on September 17, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:11 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 86° | 6:42 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 41 min of low, warm light | 7:23 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:57 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 41 min before sunset | 6:31 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 274° | 7:11 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:42 PM |
Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 12h 29m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Where to shoot in Washington
4 researched locations, earliest peak first.
- Carne Mountain Past peak
Entiat Mountains · 7,085 ft · peaks Sep 5
The last mile climbs into a basin of subalpine larch around 6,100 feet, then opens on the ridge to Glacier Peak, Mount Maude, and Seven Fingered Jack. The 3,600 feet of gain keeps the crowd far thinner than the roadside larch hikes on Highway 20.
- Blue Lake (Washington Pass) Past peak
North Cascades Highway · 6,254 ft · peaks Sep 7
Subalpine larch ring the basin below Liberty Bell Mountain and the Early Winters Spires, which rise straight out of the far shore to the northeast. The larch here go gold in the first half of October, two to three weeks ahead of the western larch down at valley level.
- Gold Creek Pond Approaching peak
Snoqualmie Pass · 2,536 ft · peaks Sep 23
Vine maple turn scarlet around a paved loop that circles the pond, with the Gold Creek valley and the Chikamin ridgeline lined up to the northeast. Cold mornings put mist on the water, and the shoreline is a five-minute walk from the car.
- Tumwater Canyon Approaching peak
Central Cascades · 1,488 ft · peaks Sep 26
US-2 runs ten miles through a granite canyon where vine maple and bigleaf maple fill the slope above the Wenatchee River. Flat light beats sun here because the canyon walls throw hard shadows across the water most of the day.
Recent reports from Washington
Report what you sawCommon questions
- When do the leaves change in Washington?
- Washington typically peaks Sep 13 – Sep 21, centered on Sep 17. Larch peaks in the second half of October; the Puget Sound lowlands in early November. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model; current conditions may differ.
- Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Washington?
- Yes, by about 18 days. High ground around 7,100 ft peaks near Sep 6, while valleys near 1,850 ft wait until Sep 24. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb. Try lower valleys after high ground has passed peak, or higher ground while valleys are still green.
- Where are the best places to see fall color in Washington?
- The guide includes 4 researched locations in Washington, including Carne Mountain, Blue Lake (Washington Pass), Gold Creek Pond. Carne Mountain turns first, around Sep 5, and Tumwater Canyon is last, around Sep 26. Each includes coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.
- What trees turn color in Washington?
- Mainly western larch, vine maple, bigleaf maple, quaking aspen. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.