Vivid reds. Golden yellows. Lush oranges. If you grew up in the Pacific Northwest, you’re used to seeing these phrases associated with descriptions of the rich fall colors that take over the east coast each year. While our fall might not be immediately apparent, it doesn’t require a lot of effort to seek out fall leaves gracing everything from hillsides to mountains with splashes of vibrant hues. Whether you’re looking for a fun road trip or you’ve only got a single afternoon, check out our guide to finding a rich PNW fall palette.

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Mount Rainier National Park

Bright red huckleberry bushes add a burst of color to Mt. Rainier's alpine meadows. Photo: Peter Stevens
Bright red huckleberry bushes add a burst of color to Mt. Rainier’s alpine meadows. Photo: Peter Stevens

An iconic glacial peak on the Pacific Northwest horizon, Mount Rainier National Park is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys a stunning landscape. In October, mist rises over the mountain while the vine maples and other plants turn a brilliant red and orange before relinquishing their leaves.

As you ascend up the mountain on a hike to Paradise (fair warning, the mighty peak towers 4,410 feet above sea level, so be ready for a steady drop in temperature the farther up you climb)  you’ll catch sight of subalpine wildflower meadows around the volcano and ancient growth forests covering its slopes. Up top, year-round snows blanket the landscape, introducing a sea of white to your view from the peak.

Seattle Japanese Garden

Vivid hues combined with tranquil waters make for a magical landscape. Photo: Rachel Samanyl
Vivid hues combined with tranquil waters make for a magical landscape. Photo: Rachel Samanyl

Situated inside the expansive Washington Park Arboretum, the diminutive, 3.5 acre Seattle Japanese Garden is a hidden gem just off the shore of Lake Washington. Bursting with Japanese maples in an array of fiery colors, yellow ginkos and golden mountain ash, the tranquil garden is hands down one of our favorite places for fall colors in Seattle. Bring along a picnic lunch and spend a quiet afternoon relaxing by the koi ponds and listening to the sound of trickling streams.

Lynn Canyon Park

Yellowing leaves lend the quiet canyon an otherworldly glow. Photo: Lynn Canyon Park
Yellowing leaves lend the quiet canyon an otherworldly glow. Photo: Lynn Canyon Park

Tucked away on Vancouver’s coastal northern mountains, Lynn Canyon Park is a year-round favorite for visitors and locals alike. The park’s famous for its 50-meter-high suspension bridge, which stretches across the canyon and overlooks waterfalls, deep pools and clear blue rivers. After you’ve left the bridge and started strolling through the forest, you’ll find a golden glow around you as the leaves on the trees change from green to yellow. Now that’s an unforgettable sight.

Queen Elizabeth Park

For a few weeks, the fallen leaves of Queen Elizabeth Park put on a dazzling display. Photo: WriterGal39
For a few weeks, the fallen leaves of Queen Elizabeth Park put on a dazzling display. Photo: WriterGal39

Vancouver’s self proclaimed “horticultural jewel,” Queen Elizabeth Park features a landscape of natural flora and eye-catching displays of public art. The park is home to Canada’s first civic arboretum, and its trees, planted more than 60 years ago, have grown into gigantic ponderosa pines, subalpine spruces and Douglas firs. Though the pines stay green throughout the year, the majesty of the ancient giants combined with the fiery colors of the deciduous trees will certainly take your breath away.

The Butchart Gardens

Wander through the Japanese Garden to experience a riot of red. Photo: The Butchart Gardens
Wander through the Japanese Garden to experience a riot of red. Photo: The Butchart Gardens

Autumn in the Butchart Gardens means you’ll enter the Japanese Garden when it’s flush with layered, rich colors. The Acer, or Japanese Maple, is undoubtedly the big draw, with star-like leaves in dazzling gold and scarlet hues. However, at The Gardens, fall doesn’t only mean beautiful trees. Yellow chrysanthemums, bright white cyclamens and beautyberry shrubs—decorated with small lilac berries — add a soft floral touch to the scenery.

Hatley Castle

Vivid orange leaves play against a brilliant blue sky at Hatley Castle. Photo: Tourism Victoria
Vivid orange leaves play against a brilliant blue sky at Hatley Castle. Photo: Tourism Victoria

Surrounded by russet hedges, covered in a web of crimson ivy and topped with a notched battlement, Hatley Castle looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. As a result, it is no surprise the historic grounds are often used as a filming location for television shows and movies. While the piles of crunchy orange maple leaves will certainly put you in the fall spirit, be sure to stop by the Japanese Gardens. Created by Isaburo Kishida (who was also the designer of The Butchart Gardens and the Gorge Park Japanese Gardens) these beautiful, winding gardens brim with colorful maples and more.

We know the Pacific Northwest is famed for its chilly fits of temperate weather, but take some time to look around and you’ll discover a mesmerizing scene of evergreen growth and vibrant colors just waiting for you. Forget the rain – pop open an umbrella and start walking to soak in the colors of fall.

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