By Douglas Scott
Nearly everyone I know around Olympia and the Puget Sound region loves fall. Some enjoy fall for the return of football, while others eagerly await the season for warm sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes. While we all are amped up for the Seahawks, corn mazes and Halloween, what really sets this season apart is the dazzling displays of color that turn the forests, hillsides and entire region into a botanical wonderland. From small trails and dirt roads to majestic panoramic views and migrating animals, fall in the Pacific Northwest and Thurston County brings the region to life.
Nearly every corner of the community is beautiful during autumn. With streams stocked with spawning salmon, trails full of fall colors, and roads with huge maples shedding their deciduous leaves waiting for your weekend adventure, fall is stunning and shouldn’t be missed. The Pacific Northwest is full of millions of gorgeous locations, but there are a handful of spots perfect to experience fall with your family. Curious where fall colors are currently their best? Check out this fall color progression map.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
From October 11 – 19, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the other 560 wildlife refuges across the nation, will be celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week. During this time, Nisqually will have a fee-free day on October 11, though the normal cost is just $3 per family. Fall at Nisqually is the start of amazing birding, as well as a chance to walk to the end of the boardwalk and look at fresh snow on the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. With geese filling the waters, and eagles and hawks circling above, spending a day at Nisqually is a perfect way to spend a cool, crisp fall day. Walking along the trails, experience fall colors and see animals of all shapes, sizes and species. For a fun day with birding experts, be at Nisqually on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. to participate in Nisqually’s Wednesday Morning Bird Walks.
Mount Rainer National Park
Fall in the high country is a time of transition. At Mount Rainier National Park, autumn signals a shift in colors, with plants turning orange, red and mustard yellow below the glaciated peak. With huckleberry bushes and larch already in good color, you will have through October to see these colorful wonders before snow (hopefully) falls in the higher elevations. The best route to see fall colors around Mount Rainier is to head to Paradise, Reflection Lake, then journey over to Sunrise and Chinook Pass. Stopping at the Grove of the Patriarchs is also a great idea; there is a fun, family-friendly trail complete with a small suspension bridge. Yes, heading to Mount Rainier does take some driving and planning, but with such a gorgeous year, why not head to Washington State’s second most popular National Park one more time before it snows? For those looking for more serious hikes, head to Spray Park near Mowich Lake. You will thank me later.
Olympic National Park
Just ninety minutes from downtown Olympia, access to the Staircase region of Olympic National Park awaits your fall adventures. While Olympic National Park is best known for the Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge and the jaw-dropping coast, residents of Thurston County have one of the most-underrated areas just a short drive away. Staircase is located on the Skokomish River, just past Lake Cushman, and turns into a fall wonderland once the cool air settles in the region. Your best bets for experiencing fall are the Staircase Loop Trail and the Shady Lane Trail. The Staircase Loop Trail is just a few miles in length, mostly flat and fun for the whole family. With views of the river, fall colors, mushrooms and even salamanders, the Staircase Loop Trail is sure to fill your family with awe and wonder. For those looking for a shorter trail with great fall colors, the Shady Lane Trail will leave you happy, as it weaves through deciduous trees to start. Watch for elk on this short, flat trail. The Staircase area is close, easy to get to and above all else, absolutely stunning in late October and November.
Thurston County Parks
If the drive to our nearby National Parks is too much, Thurston County has a few short hikes and destinations that get you right into the beauty of autumn. The first is Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area, just a few minutes northwest of downtown Olympia. Woodard Bay consists of 870 acres of fantastic trails, views and fall experiences, especially in October. Created in 1987, Woodard Bay is popular year round. With three hiking trails that get you out into the fall colors, you’ll be overwhelmed once you see seals, otters, eagles, bats and one of the largest blue heron rookeries in the Pacific Northwest across Henderson Harbor near the end of the Chehalis-Western Trail. For those looking for a different kind of wildlife experience, the month of November is when you need to head to McLane Creek Nature Trail. Located seven miles from downtown Olympia, McLane Creek has great fall colors in the months of October and early November, but the highlight is, by far, the salmon. In mid-November, when the rain is heavy enough to turn the creek into a raging torrent, hundreds of salmon swim their way upstream to spawn and die in the creek. While it may sound morbid, this is one of the best salmon watching experiences in the Puget Sound region and is always worth the trip. Besides salmon, migratory birds fill the ponds, and eagles and hawks soar overhead. Kids and kids at heart will fall in love with autumn experiences at both these destinations.
Day Drives
For those looking for a short drive to fall beauty, cruising around Capitol State Forest is something that residents have enjoyed for decades. From Olympia, head south to Littlerock and enjoy the drive back up north along Waddell Creek Road SW and Delphi Road SW. Lined with deciduous trees, this 35 mile loop is stunning from October through November and always a great way to unwind after a long day of work, or a great fast escape during a weekend. Driving this route also gets you a chance to stop off at Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve and passes by McLane Creek, giving you a few short hiking options for the family.
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.
