7 Best Outdoor Things To Do During Fall In Washington State

Fall in Washington State is absolutely gorgeous! In my opinion, it’s one of the best times to visit the Pacific Northwest for beautiful autumn foliage, prime hiking conditions, and epic whale watching. It’s also a great time of year to enjoy pumpkin patches, corn mazes, festivals, and to take a cozy cabin getaway! In this blog post, I am sharing 7 bucket list-worthy outdoor things to do during fall in Washington State. Numerous of these activities only happen during the fall, so don’t miss out!

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Before we jump into the recommendations, keep in mind that many recurring events have still been postponed or cancelled, both in Washington and across the United States. Some festivals and fairs have been postponed, but I have done my best to only include suggestions that are going ahead.

Important – Please be respectful of local Washington communities when traveling during the fall. Follow social distancing guidelines, mask up, wash your hands, and don’t travel if you are sick.

September is my favorite month for hiking in Washington. This is because the mosquitos are FINALLY gone, wild huckleberries and blueberries are ready to eat, and fall colors are beginning to peak. October is usually prime for peak fall foliage but can also be snowy in the mountains, depending on the year. It’s important to check current conditions before going and plan accordingly for weather. These are some incredible hiking trails to consider during fall in Washington State:

• Location: North Cascades – click here for directions
• Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 2000 feet
• Parking pass/entry fee: Northwest Forest Pass
• Description: find out more information via Washington Trails Association

• Location: North Cascades – click here for directions
• Distance: 4.4 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1050 feet
• Parking pass/entry fee: Northwest Forest Pass
• Description: find out more information via Washington Trails Association

• Location: North Cascades – click here for directions
• Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 2900 feet
• Parking pass/entry fee: none
• Description: find out more information via Washington Trails Association. There is also the option to hike down to Thornton Lakes, but this will add on extra mileage.

• Location: Mount Rainier National Park – click here for directions
• Distance: 5.5 miles roundtrip
• Elevation gain: 1450 feet
• Parking pass/entry fee: National Parks Pass
• Description: find out more information via Washington Trails Association. I also have an entire blog post on visiting Mount Rainier National Park, including suggested itineraries and more hiking trail recommendations.

Hiking related posts to read next:

• Beginners Guide to Hiking
• What To Wear Hiking as a Woman
• Best Hiking Shoes for Women and Men
• Hiking Trail Etiquette Rules You Should Follow
• How To Prepare For Hiking or Backpacking Trips
• Must-Know Night Hiking Tips
• How To Follow Leave No Trace Principles
• Incredible Beginner Friendly Hikes in Washington
• Best Hikes Near Seattle
• Breathtaking Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Checking out a local farm is one of the top outdoor things to do during fall in Washington State. I mean… does it get much more festive than visiting a pumpkin patch and corn maze during fall?! It makes for a fun outing with friends, family, or a loved one. Here are some suggestions on where to find Washington pumpkin patches and corn mazes:

• Craven Farm – located in Snohomish. Click here for directions.
• Carleton Farms – located in Lake Stevens. Click here for directions.
• Thomasson Family Farm – located in Enumclaw. Click here for directions.
• Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm – located in Snohomish. Click here for directions.
• Schilter Family Farm – located in Olympia. Click here for directions.
• Stocker Farms – located in Snohomish. Click here for directions.
• Carpinito Bros. Pumpkin Patch – located in Kent. Click here for directions.
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch – located in Vancouver WA. Click here for directions.
• Rutledge Corn Maze – located in Olympia. Click here for directions.
• Serres Farm – located in Redmond. Click here for directions.

Another recommended thing to do during fall in Washington State is exploring the San Juan Islands. The islands are known for their farm tours, locally grown food, kayaking, hiking, and festivals. September – November usually sees plenty of sunny days on the San Juan Islands, with temperatures in the 60’s and 50’s.

Getting from Seattle to the San Juan Islands is best done by ferry or plane, with advance reservations recommended. Here are my top suggestions for fall activities when visiting the San Juan Islands:

Check out Cascade Falls Trail on Orcas Island, Young Hill Trail on San Juan Island, and Turtleback Mountain Ship Peak Loop Trail on Orcas Islands.

Fall is a great time to view whales in the Pacific Northwest! The next section of this blog post shares all the details about whale watching during fall in Washington State, so keep reading!

The San Juan Islands are home to world class kayaking and paddle boarding. You can either bring your own or rent a water vessel from numerous local businesses on San Juan, Orcas, or Lopez Island.

Attend the Savor The San Juans festival. There are events with local farmers, chefs, winemakers, and artists – find out all the details here.

Washington’s Puget Sound is famous for its whale watching! You can spot Orcas, gray, and humpback whales year-round in the Pacific Northwest, and early fall is typically a good time to spot southern resident Orcas traveling through the San Juan Islands. Suggested whale watching tour companies in Washington:

• Eagle Wing Tours Whale Watching
• Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tours
• San Juan Safaris Whale Watching Tours
• San Juan Outfitters Whale Watching and Kayaking Tours

There are so many cozy cabins to choose from during fall in Washington State! I recommend choosing one with an outdoor hot tub so that you can spend time soaking whilst enjoying the fall foliage views (and maybe even sip a pumpkin spice latte while you’re at it!) Read my guide featuring 24 Cozy Cabins and Treehouses to Rent in Washington State or check out my top suggestions below:

Cabin and treehouse suggestions:

• 24 Cozy Cabins and Treehouses to Rent in Washington State
• 31 Best Pacific Northwest Treehouse Rentals
• 20 Magical Oregon Treehouses You Can Rent
• 24 Dreamy Oregon Cabins You Can Rent

Next on our list of outdoor things to do during fall in Washington State is backpacking! September and early October is prime backpacking conditions and larch season in the mountains, and the entirety of fall is perfect for coastal camping on the Olympic Peninsula. These are two incredible backpacking trips to consider during fall in Washington State:

• Location: Olympic Peninsula – click here for directions
• Distance: 2 – 4 miles roundtrip (depending on where you camp)
• Elevation gain: 0 (walking at sea level)
• Parking pass/entry fee: National Park Pass and Wilderness Camping Permit.
• Description: find out more information via the Olympic National Park Service website

• Location: Central Cascades – click here for directions
• Distance: 18 miles one way (usually done as a through hike)
• Elevation gain: 4500 feet (this is a challenging but spectacular hike!)
• Parking pass/entry fee: Northwest Forest Pass and Enchantments Backpacking Permit
• Description: find out more information via Washington Trails Association

Suggested backpacking posts to read next:

• Beginners Guide to Backcountry Camping
• Must-Know Backpacking Tips For Women
• How To Prepare for a Backpacking Trip
• 9 Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
• How To Get Over Your Fears of First Time Backpacking
• Outdoor Hygiene Tips for Hikers and Campers
• Tips for Solo Backpacking as a Woman

There are numerous scenic drives you can take during fall in Washington State and they make for the perfect day trip! My favorite is probably the North Cascades Scenic Highway (Hwy 20) because of its epic mountain views and various places to stop. Here are my top suggestions for things to see along the North Cascades Scenic Highway in the fall:

• Trail of the Cedars in Newhalem
• Diablo Lake Vista Point
• Ross Lake Overlook
• Rainy Pass area (Heather/Maple Pass Loop Trail)
• Washington Pass Overlook
• The Mazama Store
• Winthrop (old Western town)
• Cascadian Farm Roadside Stand

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