Travel Itinerary
Once fall settles over Washington’s mountain towns, the landscape transforms as if brushed by a painter’s hand.
Golden aspens sparkle in the breeze, fiery maples stand proud against the slopes, and huckleberry bushes weave crimson ribbons through the woods.
Visitors arrive like characters in a tale, drawn to trails glowing with color and cabins where fires crackle late into the night. It is a fleeting chapter – gone as soon as winter turns the page – but while it lasts, the magic feels timeless.
7. Roslyn
Remember quirky TV show Northern Exposure? Roslyn played the role of Cicely, Alaska, and today this former coal town rests in the Cascade foothills where autumn paints forests like a living canvas.
Coffee aromas drift from The Brick, Washington’s oldest continuously operating bar, inviting visitors to sip before heading to Cooper Lake for glassy mountain reflections.
Relaxed small-town vibe wraps guests in warmth, making outsiders feel like neighbors with every friendly nod.
6. Leavenworth
Lederhosen, dirndls, and alpine architecture? Yep, this Bavarian-themed village goes all-out with authentic German flair! Fall visitors score a double treat – spectacular mountain scenery draped in autumn hues plus Oktoberfest celebrations that would make Munich proud.
Stroll downtown’s charming shops or hike nearby Icicle Creek trails where golden larches create a stunning contrast against evergreens. The smell of fresh pretzels and sounds of polka music fill the crisp mountain air.
5. Winthrop
Howdy, partner! Winthrop’s wooden boardwalks and western facades whisk visitors into a frontier movie set where the Methow Valley blazes with autumn hues and the Cascades rise snow-dusted in the distance.
Horses snort and leather saddles creak as riders explore golden meadows scented with dry grass, while those craving variety can wander onto the town’s suspension bridge for jaw-dropping views of the Methow River framed by yellow cottonwoods and fiery crimson sumac.
4. Stehekin
No roads lead to Stehekin – seriously! Remote hamlet at Lake Chelan’s northern tip welcomes only those arriving by boat, floatplane, or rugged hiking trail, rewarding travelers with Washington’s ultimate mountain escape.
Fall brings a dazzling show as golden larches sweep across mountainsides while yellow cottonwoods shimmer in the lake’s reflection.
Famous Stehekin Pastry Company cinnamon rolls arrive warm and fragrant, their cinnamon-sugar aroma swirling with crisp alpine air, making each bite on the waterfront taste like pure wilderness bliss.
3. Packwood
Elk herds wandering through town? Just another autumn day in Packwood, a tiny mountain community resting in Rainier’s shadow where russet, gold, and crimson cloak the valleys like a painter’s masterpiece. Locals point to High Rock Lookout trail for the season’s best views, a climb that rewards hikers with crisp air scented by evergreens and panoramic color.
Afterward, cozy cabin-style cafés serve warm huckleberry pie fresh from the oven, filling the air with sweet tang as wildlife sightings add a thrill to afternoons when animals bustle in preparation for winter.
2. Concrete
What’s with the name? This quirky town earned its unusual moniker from the cement plant that built it. Fall transforms Concrete into a colorful basecamp for North Cascades adventures where alpine lakes reflect fiery mountain slopes.
Baker Lake’s shoreline blazes with autumn colors while the historic Main Street offers small-town charm. Ghost story fans, take note! October brings spooky tales about the old cement silos that supposedly inspired local author Stephen King.
1. Skykomish
Train whistles echo through a historic railroad town tucked into Stevens Pass where autumn splashes forests with spectacular color. Hardcore leaf-peepers head for Lake Serene Trail, rewarded with mirrored waters reflecting a kaleidoscope of fiery leaves.
Renovated Cascadia Hotel plates up hearty comfort food spiced with railroad nostalgia, the aroma of gravy and baked bread mingling with crisp mountain air. For a unique fall outing, Iron Goat Trail traces the old Great Northern Railway, leading hikers through tunnels framed by golden aspens and crimson vine maples glowing like stained glass.