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Seattle’s Best Parks for Fall Colors

by on October 20, 2025

There’s something magical about Seattle’s autumn transformation. As temperatures cool and days grow shorter, our city’s parks become living galleries of gold, amber, and crimson. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the Pacific Northwest, these parks offer the perfect backdrop for admiring fall foliage, photography, or simply soaking in the seasonal beauty.

West Seattle

Lincoln Park
This waterfront gem offers stunning fall colors with Puget Sound views as your backdrop. The mature trees create a canopy of color perfect for afternoon strolls.

A park bench at the edge of a grassy field ringed with trees, facing the setting sun.

Hiawatha Playfield
Family-friendly park with excellent tree displays, including Northern Red Oak, Sycamore
Maple, and European Chestnut, as well as plenty of space for kids to play among the fallen leaves.

A very large maple tree in the midst of fall color change towers over a grassy field.

Central Seattle

Seattle Japanese Garden (Entry fee required)
The carefully curated collection of Japanese maples creates some of the most Instagram-worthy fall scenes in the city.

Vibrant orange, red and yellow trees line a paved path with fixtures indicating a Japanese-style garden.

Washington Park Arboretum
The Arboretum features more than 40,000 plants, including 10,000 trees! This living laboratory showcases an incredible diversity of fall colors.

Stunning red and orange tree leaves arch over a dirt path as people walk below.

Parsons Gardens
This hidden Queen Anne treasure offers intimate fall viewing in a beautifully designed space.

Two brick walls and planted beds lead the way to a small garden guarded by a thicket of shrubs and trees.

Southeast Seattle

Kubota Garden
This 20-acre Japanese garden features spectacular maple collections and peaceful walking paths.

Orange maple leaves arch over a stream filled with delicate greenery.

Lake Washington Boulevard
Walk or bike this scenic route for miles of lakeside fall foliage—perfect for a leisurely autumn tour.

A row of several trees displaying bright orange leaves along the side of a lake.

Columbia Park
Open grassy areas surrounded by colorful trees make this ideal for picnics and family gatherings.

Large, mature trees with autumn leaves of red, yellow and orange line the edges of a grassy field.

Northeast Seattle

Cowen Park/Ravenna Park
Connected green spaces with towering trees that create a golden tunnel effect in autumn.

A rainbow sign for Cowen Park sits within a small garden bed of flowers and shrubs.

Magnuson Park
Seattle’s second-largest park offers diverse fall colors plus off-leash dog areas and lakefront views.

The sun sets over a golden meadow filled with tall grasses and short trees.

Northwest Seattle

Green Lake Park
The 2.8-mile path around Green Lake showcases beautiful fall reflections on the water.

Trees with flaming red leaves line the edge of a walking path at the edge of a lake.

Discovery Park
Seattle’s largest park offers diverse ecosystems and spectacular fall colors with Elliott Bay views.

Yellow historic buildings surrounded by trees changing color in the fall.

Salmon Bay Park
Tucked into a quiet neighborhood, Salmon Bay Park offers a peaceful green retreat beneath tall, shady trees. Visitors can enjoy leisurely picnics at tables scattered across gently sloping grassy hills, while the lively sights and sounds of nature surround them.

A rainbow sign for Salmon Bay Park stands at the edge of a grassy meadow.

Carkeek Park
Beach access plus forested trails create the perfect combination of coastal and woodland fall experiences.

Mature tree branches with bright red leaves arch over picnic tables in an outdoor setting.

Filed Under: Parkways