Fall is personally my favorite season in the Pacific Northwest. The snow level tends to hang high enough into early October to still get up into the mountains, and the mushrooms and changing leaves can be so colorful. We also get to enjoy less-rainy outdoors adventures with less heat and less smoke. My favorite part, however, is all the opportunities to see salmon spawning. Of the 20 hikes in this post, 6 take you to places to watch the salmon!
My amazingly supportive followers have asked for fall hiking recommendations, so I’ve outlined my favorite fall hikes by book title. Check them out! If you’d like to subscribe to my quarterly email newsletter for more tips and news, sign up here.
Hike 1 in little feet hiking: Vancouver Lake North Trail
I love this hike for the falling heart-shaped cottonwood leaves and the chance to see birds preparing for winter. Leaves start changing colors in mid-October and are usually off the trees by mid-November. This hike is appropriate for new hikers through adults.
Hike 5 in little feet hiking: Lucia Falls Regional Park
Lucia Falls is a year-round favorite for our family, but we especially love it in October for the salmon run. Check out this video and this post to see salmon jumping there in October. Along this short hike, you will also see lovely changing falls colors and neat mushrooms. Consider visiting on a weekend in October so you can check out Pomeroy Farm’s Pumpkin Lane after your hike. This hike is appropriate for all ages, although littles will need help staying away from the rocks and walking through the parking lot.
Hike 7 in little feet hiking: Whipple Creek
The forest at Whipple Creek Regional Park is such an urban oasis for the area. The forest is beautiful year-round, but especially mid-October to mid-November when the big-leaf maple tree leaves fall. The trail itself is okay for all ages, but littles will need help if you encounter horses.
Hike 13 in little feet hiking: Whistle Punk Trail
The Whistle Punk trail is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, so it requires a little bit of a drive. However, the drive through the Gorge and into the forest is quite lovely, and this trail also features some neat historical equipment interspersed throughout the forest. Consider tacking on a trip to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This trail is appropriate for all ages.
Hike 5 in little feet hiking two: Placid Lake
This hike takes you to subalpine meadows with a lovely lake. Late September and early October are the best time to hike if you want to see changing fall colors and colorful mushrooms (look, don’t touch!). Keep an eye on changing snow levels as the trailhead is located at 4,100 feet. This trail is appropriate for all ages.
Hike 10 in little feet hiking two: Battle Ground Lake Loop
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a busy place in summer, so I like to visit in the fall when leaves are changing and crowds are down. Hiking around the lake also provides an opportunity for some place-based learning. You can learn about the volcanic origins of this lake in my second hiking book. Littles may find this trail challenging at times due to rocks on the trail – and then there is the lake:)
Hike 13 in little feet hiking two: Fort Cascades Historic Site
This short, flat hike is another place where place-based learning can occur. This hike not only has tons of historical connections, but you also get some neat views of Bonneville Dam. Consider hiking this trail in November for fall colors and to honor Native American Heritage Month. Along the trail, you will find signposts that correlate with an online brochure detailing what each signpost. Unfortunately, much of the information you will find about this trail focuses on the western settlers and how they built forts to protect the portage from the people who once lived here. Before this land was taken in the 1850’s, the Fort Cascades Loop Trail was occupied by members of the Watlala and Cowlitz tribes. Before or after your hike, educate your kids on the people who lived here before it was taken. While this trail works for all ages, littles will need help staying off the historical equipment.
Hike 22 in little feet hiking two: Ape Cave Surface Trail
October is a fantastic time to hike the Ape Cave surface trail. The vine maple leaves are changing to a vibrant red, fun mushrooms start popping up in the forest, and you can hike along the trail through the lava fields without getting overheated. You can also explore the cave with smaller crowds (I recommend the lower cave for kids). Timed parking reservations are still required. I would avoid this with littles because it is easy to get scraped up on the lava field or fall in hole.
Hike 3 in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood: Barlow Wayside
Barlow Wayside is a lovely place to see changing fall colors, but it is also known as a great place to watch spawning salmon late September to early December.. You can learn all about where to look for the salmon in my Mt. Hood hiking guide. Unfortunately, the area is currently closed due to the nearby Camp Creek fire, but fingers crossed that the area opens back up soon. Look for updates here. This hike is appropriate for all ages, but you will want to keep littles out of the creek to protect the salmon.
Hike 4 in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood: Wildwood Recreation Area Trails
The Wildwood Recreation Site in Welches is such a neat place. If you visit in the fall, you will definitely see changing falls colors, but you are also likely to meet some small fry at the fish viewing window and see salmon spawning in the Salmon River from late August through November. This hike is great for all ages.
Hike 32 in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood: Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain is one of my favorite hikes around. In addition to volcano views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. St. Helens, we got to see western larch trees up close on the drive to the trailhead, and also in the distance from the top of the mountain. These deciduous conifers only grow on the east slopes of our PNW mountains and the needles change to a golden yellow starting mid-October before dropping off completely. Be sure to visit this one in early to mid-October before snow closes the road. This hike is best for older kids who can handle trails with steep drop-offs.
Hike 41 in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood: Lost Lake Lakeshore/Old Growth Loop
Lost Lake is a family favorite for fall hiking and camping (open through mid-October). The lake trail is flat and offers excellent views of Mt. Hood and changing fall colors. You can even rent boats on-site through the middle of October. This hike is appropriate for all ages, but littles will need help staying out of the lake and crossing campground roads.
Hike 18 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge: Ruckel Creek Falls
One of the best places in the area to see salmon spawning is in Eagle Creek by the Cascade Salmon Hatchery. I don’t think the infamous Eagle Creek trail is safe for most kids, but I’ve crafted a more kid-friendly hike starting at this trailhead and passing one of my favorite salmon spawning viewing spots. The best time to see salmon spawning here is late-September to mid-October. This hike is okay for all ages but littles will need help staying out of the creek, walking through the parking lot, getting to the bottom of the waterfall, and not falling over the bridge above the waterfall.
Hike 21 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge: Pool of the Winds and Little Beacon Rock
The hike to Pool of the Winds is one of my favorite trails, but it can be hard to hike in the summer due to its popularity. As we move into October and November, the trails should be less busy and it should be easier to find a parking spot so you can get those amazing Hamilton Mountain and waterfall views. This hike’s elevation gain can be challenging on little legs and there are some drop-offs, so I recommend for sure-footed preschool-age and older kids.
Hike 32 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge: Starvation Creek State Park
I love the Columbia River Highway Trail heading west from Starvation Creek State Park because of its lovely waterfalls and it’s accessibility. The trail is paved, making it okay for strollers and even bicycles. As we move into the rainy season, the waterfalls will get fuller and colorful leaves will drop to the ground. It can be quite noisy due to the interstate, FYI. This hike is appropriate for all ages.
Hike 37 in little feet hiking: Columbia River Gorge: Catherine Creek Arch Loop
On the west side of the Columbia River Gorge, most of the leaves we see changing and falling come from big-leaf maple trees. On the east side, the most dominant deciduous tree is the mighty white oak tree. While hiking along the Catherine Creek trail in October and November, you’ll be struck by the contrast of the brown/orange oak leaves against the blue sky (because it is sunnier there than it is on the west side). This hike is best for older hikers due to elevation gain, drop-offs, and rattlesnakes (stay on the trail and you most likely won’t encounter them).
Hike 3 in little feet hiking: Portland Metro: Wapato Access Greenway Loop
This trail on Sauvie Island is excellent in fall. On a typical hike in fall, you should see birds, caterpillars, frog, snakes, and maybe even some deer or crickets. If you visit in October, I highly recommend following your hike up with a trip to one of the island’s wonderful pumpkin patches. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help near water.
Hike 13 in little feet hiking: Portland Metro: Reed Lake
You don’t hear much about the hike around Reed Lake, but its an absolutely lovely place for a hike and nature connection. My favorite part of hiking here is the opportunity to see wildlife up close. The City of Portland and Reed College have been working tirelessly over the years to restore Reed Lake and Crystal Springs Creek to its former, healthier self. Because of this, last October (while scouting for the Portland book), my daughter and I watched an otter eat a fish in the lake. 3 miles from downtown Portland! I can’t guarantee an otter sighting, but as this area gets healthier and more salmon return to the area in fall, your chances get better every year. Learn more about the restoration work and the hike itself in my Portland book. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help near water and when walking on the road.
Hike 18 in little feet hiking: Portland Metro: Oxbow Regional Park
Oxbow Regional Park is known for its fall salmon viewing, as well as its beautiful forest. My books outlines several hikes you can do, but this brochure is the best for understanding the annual salmon run. When you visit, be sure to leave enough time for kids to play on Oxbow’s two playgrounds. This hike is okay for all ages, but littles will need help with road crossings and staying out of the rushing and dangerous Sandy River.
Hike 39 in little feet hiking: Portland Metro: Hoyt Arboretum – Deciduous Loop
Hoyt Arboretum is one of the best places in the area to check out the changing seasons, especially the change from summer to fall. The arboretum’s massive deciduous tree selection is sure to put on a great show every October and November. Check out the website for seasonal activities and little feet hiking: Portland Metro for several kid-friendly loops through these changing trees. This hike is great for all ages.
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