3 routes with best time, where to stop, and what you need. All are day trips, no hiking needed.

Day trip · Sept 25 – Oct 20 window · From Seattle

01. Olympic Peninsula — Lake Quinault + Hoh Rainforest on Highway 101

2.5–3 hrs one way

This drive is best for rainforest colors and lake views. Big maples turn yellow, and the Hoh stays green all fall.

Before you go
Best time Early to mid October for maples at Quinault. Hoh is good late September to October.
Last town for gas Amanda Park. Small stop, so fill up in Hoquiam or Aberdeen before.
Coffee Lake Quinault Lodge, right by the lake. Easy parking.
Pass No pass needed for US 101. National Park Pass required at Hoh Rainforest entrance.
Restrooms At Lake Quinault Lodge and Hoh Visitor Center.
Road US 101 is open year round. Wet and dark early in fall. Watch for elk near Quinault.
Weather Summer 65 to 75F. Fall 45 to 60F with rain. Winter 35 to 45F. Bring a rain shell.

The route

Start: Seattle to Edmonds ferry, then US 101 south toward Lake Quinault. Or drive south via Olympia if you skip the ferry. Both work.

First stop: Lake Quinault Maple Grove loop. Short flat loop by the lake. This is where the fall color is. Bigleaf maples turn yellow in early to mid October. Park near the Rain Forest Nature Trail lot and walk the loop. Morning light is quietest.

Second stop: Hoh Rainforest. From US 101, take Hoh Rain Forest Road. It is about 12 miles in, around 30 minutes from the highway. Hall of Mosses is a 0.8 mile loop, flat and easy. It is green and misty in fall and works well even when it drizzles.

Tip: Start early. The Hoh road gets busy by 11am on weekends in October, and parking fills up.

02. Mount Baker Highway to Artist Point — via SR 542 through Glacier

2.5 hrs one way

This drive is best for mountain views without a long hike. You get lake reflections, then alpine views at the top.

Before you go
Best time Late September to mid October. Larches turn in early October. Check road status after first snow.
Last town for gas Glacier. Fill up here before heading higher.
Coffee Wake N Bakery in Glacier. Small, local, right on the highway.
Pass Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required at Artist Point parking.
Restrooms At Picture Lake overlook and Artist Point trailhead.
Road SR 542 is paved to Artist Point. Last 2 miles are narrow and steep. Closed for winter usually by late October or November. Check WSDOT.
Weather Summer 60 to 75F at Artist Point. Fall 35 to 55F. It can drop 15 to 20 degrees from Glacier to the top. Winter road closed.

The route