Love in the Leaves

Washington’s most romantic fall drives

written by Ryn Pfeuffer

THERE’S SOMETHING about fall that makes even the simplest drive feel like a scene out of a rom-com. The air is crisp, the sun tilts low, and everywhere you look, leaves are blazing in shades of red, gold and orange. In Washington, couples don’t need to fly to Vermont or New England to get their autumn fix—the Evergreen State has miles of roads that seem designed for holding hands, stealing kisses and pressing pause on the real world.

From winding backcountry loops to coastal panoramas, each drive offers its own flirtation with fall. Take the Thurston Bountiful Byway: a 60-mile circuit through quaint towns and colorful countryside where stopping for cider or a stroll feels completely natural. Or the Stevens Pass Greenway, where alpine meadows and mountain peaks invite you to roll the windows down and let the cool river air in. Even Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula whispers romance, with misty water, old-growth forests and kayaks for two.

The secret to these drives? Timing, curiosity and a willingness to linger. Peek around every bend, pull over at roadside orchards, chase the golden light of sunset and savor the quiet moments between destinations. Because in Washington, fall isn’t just about the leaves. It’s about falling for each other, one scenic mile at a time.

Thurston Bountiful Byway

Some fall drives feel like they’re made for romance—and Thurston Bountiful Byway is one of them. This 60-mile loop winds through Thurston County’s cities and countryside, delivering a kaleidoscope of color without the traffic jams. “It’s really not ever crowded,” said Emily Brooks, director of marketing for Experience Olympia & Beyond. “One of my favorite stretches is along 507 between Tenino and Yelm—plenty of space to take in the beauty.”

Plan for late September or early October, when maples, birch, sweetgum and oaks turn the hillsides into a painter’s palette of green, orange, red and gold. Pull over for a stroll at Tenino City Park or the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. And because no romantic drive is complete without snacks, swing by Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm for fresh apple fritters and cider, and then stop at Johnson’s Smokehouse for jerky, cheese and other road-trip treats.

Brooks’ best advice? “Don’t be in a time crunch. The best leaf-peeping moments happen when you least expect them.”

Northern Clark County Scenic Drive

Northern Clark County Scenic Drive is beautiful in any season but saves its best show for fall. “Once you get past summer, the whole route feels a bit undiscovered,” said Erica Lindemann, director of marketing at Visit Vancouver WA and a Vancouver native. “Moulton Falls Trail, past the iconic bridge, the Cedar Creek Grist Mill and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are all less crowded in the fall, but absolutely gorgeous.”

The loop strings together postcard-worthy stops: Battle Ground Lake State Park, the tasting room at Pomeroy Cellars, the North Clark Historical Museum, plus the chance to wander through fiery foliage on peaceful trails. You’ll pass maples and alders in yellow and red, framed by evergreens and the rush of river water.

Lindemann’s take? Slow down for the side roads, linger longer than you planned and let the quiet charm of the backcountry sneak up on you.

Chinook Pass

If you think everyone flocks to Mount Rainier’s Paradise area in fall, you’re missing the east-side magic. Fine art nature photographer Lars Gesing, based in West Seattle, recommends coming over Chinook Pass. “The area around Tipsoo Lake is pretty accessible, full of vibrant red underbrush that leads the eye to evergreens flanking the slopes of Tahoma, before the scene culminates with a clear view of the snow-covered top of Rainier,” he said.

But it’s more than a picture-perfect scene. “Walking through trails like the Naches Peak Loop feels like you are in an autumn wonderland,” Gesing added. Peak color usually hits in the last days of September, but timing is key. “Winter comes swiftly at Mount Rainier … so you may only have a few days to catch the most stunning fall display.” Go early on a weekday morning, and, as Gesing warned, “you’re less likely to share the experience with 1,000 of your closest friends,” giving you a private, almost-secret moment with autumn.

Stevens Pass Greenway

The stretch of the Stevens Pass Greenway from Snohomish to Leavenworth feels like it was designed with couples in mind. Hugging the Skykomish River for most of its 90 miles, it’s a ribbon of road lined with vast river valleys, jagged mountain peaks and alpine meadows that, come fall, explode into a kaleidoscope of gold, red and orange.

Leavenworth makes a perfect bookend, especially during the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival or Oktoberfest, when the Bavarian-themed streets hum with music, dancing and the scent of baked pretzels. On the western end, Snohomish delivers its own brand of autumn magic: spooky thrills at Stalker Farms, pumpkins and hay rides at Stocker Farms, a 15-acre corn maze at Craven Farm and crisp apple picking at Skipley Farm.

Between the two, small towns like Gold Bar, Sultan and Index invite detours—maybe for a craft cocktail at Bush House Grille or a lazy riverside stroll. It’s the kind of drive where you roll the windows down, let the cool mountain air in and realize the journey itself might just be the most romantic part.

Yakima Valley

In the fall, the Yakima Valley turns into a daydream: all gold cottonwoods, crimson vine maples and the deep shadows of basalt cliffs. The Yakima River Canyon is a total showstopper—the water glints in the low autumn sun, and every bend feels like a new view worth pulling over for. Highway 97 from Toppenish winds through orchards and vineyards heavy with harvest, while Chinook Pass offers alpine meadows and sweeping Mount Rainier views.

For couples, it’s the perfect excuse to slow down. Share a tasting flight at Treveri Cellars (yes, Washington sparkling wine is a thing), or share a smooch at the Roza Overlook as the sun slides behind the ridges. Pack a picnic for a quiet stop along Konnowac Pass, or wander White Pass for golden larch views and a few lingering huckleberries. End the day in Zillah, splitting a bottle from one of its boutique wineries, because nothing pairs with fall leaves quite like a little wine and a lot of romance.

Gig Harbor

Exit Highway 16 at Olympic Drive, and suddenly you’re in a little slice of secret fall magic. Gig Harbor has that rare combo: golden leaves, salted air and spots that practically beg for a stolen kiss. First stop, Fox Island Bridge Overlook. Roll down the windows, crank up your favorite playlist and let the breeze do the rest.

Next, Kopachuck State Park. Trails lead to the beach, maples flare red and Puget Sound sparkles like it knows it’s being watched. Perfect for a picnic, or just a dramatic “look at us” selfie with the Olympics in the background. Roll on toward Olalla, and swing by Olalla Bay Market & Landing for cider, wine and water views, because romance requires snacks.

Back in Gig Harbor, the waterfront calls. Ascend the Finholm View Climb for a swoon-worthy Mount Rainier panorama, or snag a table at Netshed No. 9, where floor-to-ceiling windows set the mood. End the day at Skansie Brothers Park, golden-hour light rippling across the harbor, and realize: the best part of leaf-peeping? Seeing your partner in this golden light.

Olympic Peninsula

Leaf-peeping on the Olympic Peninsula is pure magic, and the stretch around Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park is fall at its most cinematic, with the lake’s glassy surface mirroring the surrounding mountains, fiery maples and alders.

Couples can linger at Lake Crescent Lodge, where the historic porch and lakeside views are perfect for a coffee, a glass of wine or just watching the morning mist roll over the water. For a touch of adventure, take the Marymere Falls Trail. This short hike through towering old-growth forest ends at a misty waterfall, ideal for a cozy pause or a photo you’ll want to frame. Rent a kayak at Log Cabin Resort, and glide across the mirrored lake together. Or, simply sit on the dock, and let the quiet intimacy of the water and forest sink in.