Peak Fall Foliage Hot‑Spots in Clark County, Washington (2025 Edition)

Prash Gunda
Oct 9
4 min read

Walking out your front door in Vancouver, Washington doesn’t always feel like a scene from a peak fall foliage postcard. Thanks to our conifer‑dominated forests, leaf season here can seem understated compared to the East Coast’s blaze of maples. But when you know where to look and when Clark County’s deciduous trees put on a show that will make even the grumpiest Pacific Northwesterner smile. Below are my favorite spots (and some reader‑suggested gems) where the leaves go from green to gold right around mid‑October. Grab a pumpkin‑spice latte, some weather‑proof shoes, and let’s hit the road.

Vancouver‑Area Trails and Parks

Vancouver Lake Park – With 234 acres of shoreline, fields and wooded paths, this city park is a dependable place for peak fall foliage hunting. Stroll the lake’s shore or wander off the paved path into stands of bigleaf maples; you’ll find plenty of crimson and gold tucked between the evergreens.
Officers Row & Fort Vancouver – Nothing like history wrapped in autumn. The 22 preserved Victorian homes along Officers Row look straight out of a Hallmark movie when the leaves turn. Pair your leaf‑peeping with a glass of local wine at the Grant House’s Willful Wine for maximum hygge.
Waterfront Renaissance Trail – Running five miles from the Interstate Bridge to McMenamin’s on the Columbia, this path lets you bike or stroll along the river while soaking up riverside cottonwoods and maples. The Columbia River doubles as a mirror for fiery tree reflections—a photographer’s dream.
Salmon Creek Greenway Trail – Located in north Vancouver, this 3.1‑mile trail winds past wetlands and ponds full of migrating birds. Look up; the canopy overhead turns shades of orange and red by mid‑October.
Cougar Trails at WSU Vancouver – Not just for college kids. This 2.6‑mile loop is carved through a forested corridor on campus and offers views of Silver Star Mountain and Mount Hood. The quiet campus on weekends makes it a serene place to appreciate peak fall foliage without crowds.
Burnt Bridge Creek Trail – At eight miles, this is Vancouver’s longest trail and one of the best for foliage. The path passes through grasslands, wetlands and forests. A Redditor swears the west end of the trail and nearby Vancouver Lake around Veterans Day are “incredible,” though warns that if you want the leaves still on the trees, go a few weeks earlier. Either way, the crunch of fallen leaves and smell of damp earth is intoxicating.

Scenic Drives and Day Trips

Cedar Creek Grist Mill & Loop Drive – This 1876 water‑powered mill outside Woodland is often the first place locals mention when asked about fall colors. A commenter in the thread simply wrote “Cedar Creek Grist Mill” and for good reason. Plan your visit around the mill’s fall cider‑press event, then continue on a scenic drive: follow Cedar Creek Road to State Route 503, head north to Amboy, cross the Yale Bridge, and return along Lewis River Road. The loop offers glimpses of fiery maples, golden cottonwoods and glimpses of Mt. St. Helens.
Hood River Fruit Loop & Columbia River Gorge – Looking to cross the river? One local suggests heading to Hood River, grabbing pizza at Solstice, then crossing back into Washington via Highway 14 for a loop that’s “awesome”. The Hood River Fruit Loop—a 35‑mile circuit through orchards and vineyards—pops with apples, pears and grapes framed by autumn colors. And it’s hard to beat the Columbia River Gorge itself; another commenter notes that the Gorge is “especially beautiful this time of year”. Make sure to check for road closures and be prepared for winds.
Japanese Garden (Portland) – If you’re willing to drive 30 minutes south, the Portland Japanese Garden offers a meticulously curated explosion of reds and oranges. A Redditor mentioned that the garden even maintains a fall color tracker. The garden’s Japanese maples and koi ponds make a romantic backdrop for your selfies.
Blandford Avenue Tunnel of Trees – One commenter described Blandford (a residential road in Vancouver’s South Cliff neighborhood) as “a tunnel of orange”. Drive or bike slowly—these are neighborhoods after all—and soak up the canopy arching overhead. It’s a short but sweet local treat.
Highway 30 to the Coast – Someone in the thread cheekily posted a photo captioned “Driving to the coast on 30w,” essentially saying the road to the Oregon Coast can be a leafy adventure. Highway 30 winds along the Columbia before cutting through coastal hills; combine it with a visit to Astoria or Seaside for ocean views and colorful forests. It’s not strictly Clark County, but it’s a worthy weekend escape.
Pomeroy Farm & Other Pumpkin Patches – While the original poster wasn’t keen on pumpkin patches, another local suggested Pomeroy Farm for a low‑key farm‑experience complete with hay rides and pumpkin‑people displays. If you’ve got kids or just want to embrace your inner Linus, it can still be part of your peak fall foliage itinerary.

Tips for Timing Your Leaf‑Peeping

Check the forecast – Pacific Northwest storms can knock leaves off early. Try to visit in the second and third weeks of October for the best chance at peak fall foliage. By Veterans Day, many leaves may already be on the ground.
Use color‑tracking tools – Sites like ExploreFall.com and the Portland Japanese Garden’s tracker (mentioned in the Reddit thread) can help you plan around real‑time conditions.
Be flexible – Some years the maples turn bright red; other years they go straight to brown. If you arrive and the colors aren’t there yet, treat yourself to a cider at the Grist Mill or a walk along the Waterfront, nature doesn’t follow our schedules.

Clark County might not have Vermont’s intensity, but when conditions line up, our pockets of deciduous trees deliver. Whether you’re wandering Vancouver Lake’s trails, sipping cider at Cedar Creek, or exploring the Columbia River Gorge, peak fall foliage in Southwest Washington is worth chasing. So pack a thermos, queue up your favorite autumn playlist, and get out there, those leaves won’t admire themselves!