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If you’re like me, with school underway and summer beginning to fade, hiking might be slipping from your mind. But don’t pack up your family’s hiking boots just yet! Autumn is a terrific season to hit the trail.
Our wildlands are beginning to burst with fall color this time of year. I can’t wait to head out on these fall hikes to take in gorgeous hues of flame red, bright orange and soft yellow. Summer crowds have begun to dwindle, and pesky mosquitoes have disappeared, too. Critters such as marmots and songbirds are more active and visible as they hurry to find food for the long winter ahead. With a few extra layers for warmth and the lure of a thermos of hot cocoa, my family finds fall hiking to be full of brilliant color and natural exploration.
Twin Falls, North Bend
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip, 300 feet of elevation gain
Location: You will find the Twin Falls Trailhead (part of Olallie State Park) off Interstate 90 near North Bend.
Description: One of the classic family hikes in our region and accessible year-round, Twin Falls is particularly pretty in October. Bigleaf maples mixed into the mostly coniferous forest are responsible for much of the subtle fall color along this kid-friendly hike to two waterfalls. Moss in many shades of green contributes nicely to the autumn palette as well. You need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at state parks.
Directions: From Exit 34 off I-90 (about 31 miles from Seattle), turn right at the end of the exit ramp and proceed a little more than half a mile to Southeast 159th Street. Continue another half-mile to the Twin Falls Trailhead.
Swan Creek Park, Tacoma
Distance: 2.38 miles
Location: East Roosevelt Avenue and East 42nd Street, Tacoma
Description: A hidden slice of nature within a few miles of city hustle and bustle, Swan Creek Park is full of alder and cedar trees, plus vine and bigleaf maples that change to vibrant shades of red, gold and orange in the fall. We often just wander from the entrance to the creek, though there is a 2-mile trail that follows the creek. It does get wet and muddy, so wear boots.
Directions: Driving south on Interstate 5, take Exit 135 toward East 27th Street. Then take Portland Avenue East to East 44th Street and park in the Swan Creek Park Community Garden lot.
Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish
Distance: 3–6 miles round trip, scant elevation gain
Location: Explore the many trails of Lord Hill Regional Park near Snohomish.
Description: Close enough for an after-school hike, wild enough to leave the city behind, Lord Hill offers an autumn respite near home for urban hikers and equestrians. The park comprises some 1,400 acres of upland nature preserve along the Snohomish River, with more than 5 miles of designated trails that crisscross the old homestead. Varied river, forest and pond habitats support a lot of wildlife creatures that are more active in autumn, including bears, bobcats, beavers, birds and garter snakes.
Take the entrance trail between the upper and lower parking lot to the main trail. Short loops can be created from side paths that branch off from it. Use the map to create a loop of your desired distance; many of the trails are signed. For a varied path with great fall color and possible wildlife sightings, hike the Beaver Lake Loop: From the main trail, turn left on the Beaver Lake Trail, right on the Pipeline (which takes you past the pond), and then return to the main trail via the short Pipeline Connector Trail.
Editor’s note: The Red Barn Trail at the park is closed until further notice due to safety concerns. Check the park website for updates.
Directions: From Snohomish, take Lincoln Avenue south from the southeast edge of town; this road becomes the Old Snohomish–Monroe Highway. Continue for 2.7 miles, turn right (south) onto 127th Avenue Southeast. Continue 1.6 miles to the park entrance and trailhead.
Tonga Ridge, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Distance: 6 miles round trip, 400 feet of elevation gain
Location: Find the Tonga Ridge hike in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest along Highway 2.
Description: Known as the easiest ridge walk on the west slope of the Cascades, Tonga Ridge is also one of the most popular hiking destinations in late summer. Fall will afford you some solitude to enjoy the fiery huckleberry and heather meadows in peace. Hike to Sawyer Pass or as far as your kids wish, then turn around. Keep an eye out for deer and bears (wear bright colors!), and don’t miss the gorgeous views into the Cascades on a clear day. You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.
Directions: Drive Highway 2 east from Skykomish for 1.8 miles, then turn right onto Foss River Road (#68). At 1.2 miles, keep right at the fork. At 3.6 miles, take a left onto Tonga Ridge Road (#6830). At 7 miles from that junction, turn right (#6830 or #310) and continue 1.4 miles to the trailhead. It’s about a two-hour drive from Seattle.
Editor’s note: Expect temporary delays and short closures on Foss River Road this fall for work on a new powerline. See the Forest Service site for details.
Lime Kiln Trail, North Cascades
Distance: 7 miles round trip, 625 feet of elevation gain
Location: Find the Lime Kiln Trail in Robe Canyon Historic Park along the Mountain Loop Highway.
Description: Step into this mossy canyon where lush emerald ferns are layered against soft yellow and orange maple leaves, creating an autumn palette that is quintessentially Northwest. Look closely to spot the more subtle signs of fall, such as wispy chartreuse lichens wrapped around branches and rust-colored fungi clinging to tree trunks.
Kids will enjoy this easy hike along the south fork of the Stillaguamish River (“The Stilly,” as locals call it) for its rich history linked to limestone mining and the long-gone Everett to Monte Cristo Railway, first built in the 1890s. Artifacts of this era are left all along the trail, from moss-cloaked saw blades to old bricks and rotting worker boots from centuries past. The well-signed trail starts in a quiet forest and joins The Stilly about 1.5 miles in. From there, it’s another mile to the 20-foot-tall old lime kiln, the highlight of the hike. This kiln is where calcium oxide was extracted from limestone for use in Everett industries. Turn around here or continue another mile to the trail’s end, where a riverbank vantage point invites you to look for spawning salmon.
Directions: From Lake Stevens, drive State Route 92 (Granite Falls Highway) to Granite Falls. Continue through town to where the arterial turns left and instead turn right onto South Alder Avenue. After three blocks, make a left onto East Pioneer Street/Menzel Lake Road. Drive through the rural countryside, watching for the sign announcing Waite Mill Road — that’s your left turn. Continue on Waite Mill Road to just past the school bus turnaround, then veer left onto a narrow gravel road that climbs uphill to the trailhead. It’s a little over an hour’s drive from Seattle.
Wright Park, Tacoma
Distance: The loop around the park is just under a mile. It’s an easy path.
Location: 501 S. I St., Tacoma
Description: Arguably Tacoma’s grandest park, Wright Park is a 27-acre jewel with more than 630 trees, including many over 100 years old. The park also houses many state champion trees — this means they represent the biggest of their kind in the state. In the fall, walk the easy loop around the park to enjoy a blaze of color. This urban hike suits families with very young tots or grandparents, as well as times when you need a dose of fall color but can’t manage a long drive. Kids will love finding fallen nuts and watching all the squirrels at work.
Wright Park is home to a beautiful glass-walled conservatory, so be sure to visit to this lovely spot. The conservatory features permanent collections and rotating seasonal exhibits, and it’s always balmy. If it’s too cold for your kiddos outside, you can usually find a colorful, seasonal backdrop to pose them in front of here. Any of the historic trees make for great pictures in the fall.
Directions: From I-5, take the City Center Exit. Follow A Street toward the City Center and Pacific. Take a slight left onto 15th Avenue, followed by a slight right on Yakima, and then a left onto South I Street.
Naches Peak Loop, Mount Rainier National Park
Distance: 3.2 miles round trip, 600 feet of elevation gain
Location: Find the Naches Peak Loop Trail in the Chinook Pass area of Mount Rainier National Park.
Description: Fall color abounds on this easy loop hike that skirts the eastern boundary of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail begins in the subalpine zone, where open meadows are carpeted with huckleberry bushes flaunting red and orange hues. What could make such a scene even more beautiful? The constant backdrop of “the Mountain.” Hike the loop in a clockwise direction to take in the best views. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for entry.
Directions: Drive east on Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the junction with State Route 123. Go left to continue on Highway 410 for 3 miles to the trailhead. Park just west of Chinook Pass at the Tipsoo Lake Trailhead and follow the trail from the picnic area.
Cedar River Trail, Renton to Landsburg
Distance: 2–4 miles, scant elevation gain
Location: Hike a section of the Cedar River Trail from Renton to Landsburg.
Description: Often thought of as a bike path, the mostly paved Cedar River Trail makes a splendid fall walk, too, especially for those pushing strollers or using wheelchairs. Another bonus — the trail’s finished surface won’t have the mud that often mucks up dirt trails in the wetter months.
Following the old Seattle-to-Walla Walla railway route, the Cedar River Trail stretches from the shores of Lake Washington in Renton south through Maple Valley, and continues as a soft-surface path (crushed gravel and still barrier-free) onto Landsburg, 17 miles in all. Some stretches of the trail feel urban and are close to State Route 169, while others, especially the portion between Maple Valley and Landsburg, are more secluded and natural. Along the way are remnants of the old railroad, which used to carry trains hauling coal from local mines.
For this autumn color hike, we recommend starting at the far eastern end in Landsburg to experience an afternoon of easy exploration along the tree-lined riverbank. From the trailhead at Landsburg Park, head west on the crushed-rock trail, strolling for as long as you want, then turn around and return to your car. For a 2.6-mile round-trip hike, continue all the way through Big Bend Natural Area, then turn around at the large trestle bridge that spans the river. In the fall, deciduous trees such as bigleaf maple and vine maple add punches of orange and red to the riparian landscape. You can spot the fall run of sockeye salmon migrating up the river here to spawn; several bridges along the trail offer vantage points.
Directions: From I-5, drive State Route 18 eastbound to Covington and exit at 272nd Street (Kent-Kangley Road). Pass through Covington and Maple Valley. Soon after crossing State Route 169 (Maple Valley Highway), you’ll take a left onto Southeast Summit Landsburg Road. At 4.4 miles, you’ll come to a stop sign; turn left onto Landsburg Road Southeast. Continue down the hill, cross the Cedar River (you will see a slalom course set up in the river here), and park in one of the spacious lots on either side of the road to access the trail.
Wildwood Park, Puyallup
Distance: There are several paths through the park, including some that are paved and have exercise stations. All are easy and wide.
Location: 1101 23rd Ave. S.E., Puyallup.
Description: Quiet Wildwood Park includes 55 acres of natural forest — a mix of evergreen conifers and maples that offers bold bursts of color. Several rustic picnic shelters and bridges seem ready-made just for posing kids into a sweet family photo.
Directions: Head up the hill from the fairgrounds and turn on 23rd Avenue. The park is on the left.
Lake Ann, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Distance: 3.4 miles round trip, 700 feet of elevation gain
Location: Find the Lake Ann trail in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, along the North Cascades Highway.
Description: This classic hike in the North Cascades is famous for dazzling during autumn. (But it’s a long drive from the Seattle area.) Late-season huckleberries cling to fire-hued bushes along the trail, and wide-open vistas remind you of why you live in the Northwest (despite the winter that is just around the corner). The star attraction of this hike, however, is the flame yellow of the autumn alpine larches, which are usually at their peak in mid-October.
A short distance from the trailhead is a junction; head to the right off of the paved path and onto the trail. Ascend through a canopy of conifers. At the 1.3-mile mark is a side trail leading to beautiful Lake Ann, a perfect destination for families with small children. Relax at the lake and enjoy the views of granite peaks and golden larches before turning around and returning to your car. You need a Northwest Forest Pass to park.
Directions: Drive Highway 20 east from I-5 to the trailhead at Rainy Pass. Drive time from Seattle is about three hours one way.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Olympia
Distance: There is a level, 1-mile boardwalk with four additional spur trails, varying from just a tenth of a mile to 1.5 miles in length.
Location: 100 Brown Farm Rd. N.E., Olympia.
Description: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge offers excellent, all-season hiking just north of Olympia. In addition to fall colors, you can look for seasonal wildlife. In the fall months, see if your children can spot wintering songbirds, peregrine falcons and bald eagles. The visitor center, open Wednesday through Sunday, is small but has a number of interesting exhibits as well as binoculars to borrow. Kids can also participate in the free Junior Wildlife Manager program and explore the playground. Get some great photos of the kids strolling the boardwalk and looking through their binoculars. Kids will like the viewing platforms.
It can get slick and surprisingly chilly here. The last 700 feet of the boardwalk trail close in mid-October through the end of January, when it is duck hunting season. Dogs, running and sports are not allowed. The cost is $3 for four adults to enter the refuge; children ages 16 and younger enter free.
Directions: The refuge is about 20 miles south of Tacoma and 10 miles north of Olympia. Take Exit 114 from I-5.
Hurricane Hill, Olympic National Park
Distance: 3 miles round trip, 950 feet of elevation gain
Location: Find Hurricane Hill at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
Description: Want to feel like you’re walking on top of the world? The paved and gentle path leading to Hurricane Hill is the ultimate autumn stroll for young children, even those in strollers. There’s no huffing or puffing required to immerse yourself in colorful alpine meadows of orange and gold, or see marmots and deer frolic nearby. Panoramic views on a clear day include the likes of Mount Baker, Vancouver Island and Olympic peaks so close you can almost touch them. Once you reach the hill (and the end of the pavement), just turn around and walk back. While this walk is a very long drive from the Seattle area, if you’re on the peninsula, the views are epic. Note that dogs are not allowed in national parks.
Directions: Drive to Port Angeles via U.S. 101 and turn south onto Race Street, driving 1.2 miles to Hurricane Ridge Road. Drive another 19 miles to the trailhead parking lot. Note: You’ll need to pay an admission fee to enter the national park, and it’s close to a four-hour trek (each way) from Seattle, with a ferry crossing on the Seattle–Bainbridge route or Edmonds–Kingston route.
More great hikes for Seattle-area families:
Editor’s note: This story was originally published many years ago and was updated on Sept. 17, 2025, by ParentMap’s editorial team with a thorough fact-check on these trails and an interactive map. In previous years, author Maegen Blue contributed to this article.
