Here’s Why You Can't Miss Out On Leavenworth Fall Foliage

Fall is a season where many look forward to leaf peeping and tucking into the autumnal feast of pumpkin soup and risottos. It’s a wonderful time to experience chilly days among the trees ablaze with autumn colors, especially in hidden gem destinations. If one is looking for a calm and peaceful moment in a perfect fall setting, then consider visiting the sublime Leavenworth on the West Coast. From Seattle, simply head east and drive through the forest and the mountain pass to stop at the Bavarian-styled town. What makes this destination so enticing is its distinctive Bavarian architecture, authentic German restaurants, and specialty shops.

Back in the 60s, Leavenworth suffered from low visitors because of a rail line being removed. To attract visitors, the town underwent a major change with the civic initiative of renovating it into a Bavarian theme. This was similarly achieved in Solvang, California, but with a Dutch influence. Besides its iconic Oktoberfest Festival, the picturesque town features stunning landscapes with mountains, scintillating lakes, and vivid colors of fall foliage.

Best Time To Visit Leavenworth To See Fall Foliage

To view the kaleidoscopic landscape of Leavenworth, one has to wait for autumn, which generally occurs from late September to mid-October. During this time of the year, the town experiences a drop in temperature. In October, the climate is cold-humid with average highs of 54 °F and lows of 35 °F.

Fall lovers can visit the town in late September to bask in the gorgeous fall colors, where the leaves turn red, orange, and yellow. For sure, one can expect to find many activities such as hiking or kayaking to have an up-close view of the foliage. In addition, there are many fall events that revolve around food.

Where To See The Fall Foliage In Leavenworth

Lake Wenatchee State Park

Get ready to whisk away to the blissful sanctuary of Lake Wenatchee State Park in Leavenworth during fall. This 489-acre camping park is endowed with scintillating Glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee and the winding Wenatchee River bisecting the park into two distinct areas, notably the North Park and the South Park. This is the most recommended place to connect with nature and breathe in the crisp air during fall. Families and even four-legged friends can come here to enjoy a wonderful fall break among the majestic mountains and coniferous forests turning vibrant golden yellow during this time of the year,

Campers can marvel at the Douglas-fir or the ponderosa pine trees, which tend to shed their needles in September and October. The leaves turn into bright golden colors, contrasting with the surrounding landscape made up of granite mountains and translucent lakes.

The park is equipped with 155 standard campsites, one dump station, 16 showers, and 42 partial-hookup sites, thus making it an ideal place to retreat in autumn. Adventure seekers can hike, kayak, camp, and horseback ride. There are also paddle boards and canoes for rental.

Address: Leavenworth, WA 98826, United States
Opening Hours: 06:30 a.m - 10:00 p.m (daily)
Activities: See the stunning fall foliage and enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking and camping.
Daily Rates: $12.00 - $40.00
Amenities: Camping sites; showers; rentals for canoes and paddle boards; well-equipped trails; swimming areas; and covered fireplace.

Tumwater Canyon

Another spot to immerse in the autumn atmosphere is by visiting the Tumwater Canyon, which is a north-south trending canyon. Its north end side lies on Highway 2, which crosses over the Wenatchee River, while the canyon’s south end is tucked in Leavenworth. Many avid adventurers come here for rock climbing, peak bagging, and water rafting. At the same time, others prefer to hike through the rugged paths to see the vivid fall foliage of the conifer trees, such as lodgepole pine trees turning into a beautiful yellow color. There is also the red stem ceanothus which abounds the area. The western side of the canyon is decked out with Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Icicle Ridge, while on the eastern side, there is the Tumwater Mountain. This place is perfect for enjoying a hike and a picnic while listening to the soothing sound of the water rushing by and the rustling of the leaves.