Washington is home to several incredibly beautiful beaches, some of which lie tucked away in unlikely destinations. If you've heard of Fort Worden State Park, you've likely heard of its history as a United States Army base. And while the history is fascinating, these days it's mainly the peaceful beach and its brilliant blue waters that keep people coming back.
Fort Worden State Park is located in Port Townsend, otherwise known as Washington's Victorian seaport.
In 1957, it was purchased by the state of Washington, reaching state park status in 1973.
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And while touring the old soldiers' quarters and Commanding Officer's House is fascinating, these days, most come to admire the beauty of the waterfront location.
Calling all leaf peepers! It’s my favorite time of year, autumn! I love everything about this season ... the cooler temperatures, hot beverages, and, of course, the changing leaves. Witnessing the fall foliage in Washington should be on everyone’s bucket list, but just in case it’s not, come with me to check out this underrated state park in Washington where you can hit the trails and enjoy the kaleidoscope of colors.
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Welcome to Lake Wenatchee State Park, a 492-acre state park on the eastern edge of Lake Wenatchee.
It doesn’t get as much attention as some of the other Washington state parks, but we love this hidden gem during the fall so much that we included it in our list of best places to watch the fall foliage in Washington.
One cold snap could change everything, but it'll probably be within the first two weeks of October. Take a peep at our previous article that goes into more detail about when the leaves will change color in Washington.
To really get the full experience, I recommend spending a long weekend (or even a week) camping here.
If pitching a tent doesn't sound like your idea of fun, consider renting an RV! RVShare offers RV rentals of various sizes, so whether you're going on a solo adventure or you've got the entire family on board, there's an RV for you. Plus, it's a great way to test-drive different models to see if it's a lifestyle you could see yourself doing!
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Visit the official website for Lake Wenatchee State Park for more information, including cabin rentals and campsite availability, and start planning your leaf-peeping adventure today!
Where & When To See Fall Foliage In Washington
When it comes to viewing fall foliage in Washington, timing is everything. You want to visit destinations when the colors are at their peak. By the end of September, you will begin to see colors change on the western side of the state. The first of October is a particularly beautiful time to visit destinations like Mount Rainier. By mid-October, the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain range will begin to transform but don’t be surprised if the colors start to fade by the end of October.
If you are searching for some of the best places to view fall foliage in Washington, you are in luck. Every corner of the Evergreen State has incredible fall foliage displays. Some of our favorite places for viewing fall foliage in Washington include:
There is no doubt that Lake Wenatchee State Park is one of the best places to view fall foliage in Washington. This state park is not only gorgeous but it’s home to numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, bird watching, biking, geocaching, and so much more.
Keep in mind that to visit Lake Wenatchee State Park, there is a $10 day-use fee per vehicle and a $7 watercraft launch fee. If you love to camp, there are primitive, water trail, standard, and full-utility campsite options in this state park. You can also find many cozy vacation rentals such as this waterfront cabin Airbnb that can sleep up to four guests.
And if you are hungry near this gorgeous lake, there are several restaurant options you can choose from as well including Headwaters Bar and Restaurant and Wildflour.
Washington has 124 state parks, and each year, a whopping 40 million people visit them. Many of those people call the Evergreen State home, while some visit from other parts of the country. But they can all appreciate the diverse landscapes and endless natural beauty our state parks offer. If you're very familiar with Pacific Northwest history, you may already have heard of a very famous teacher from Japan. The Ranald MacDonald grave sits up near the Canadian border within our state's smallest state park—and it's definitely worth a visit. Yes, we know, this may sound a bit strange but trust us, the story is all going to come together!
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Ranald MacDonald's Grave is a Washington State Park Heritage Site.
He served as an early ambassador during a time when Japan was closed off to the outside world.
Ranald MacDonald was born in 1824 in Fort George, which later became Astoria, Oregon. His parents were fur trader Archibald McDonald and Princess Raven, daughter of Chief Comcomly of the Chinook Confederacy.
When he was sailing near Japan, he convinced his captain to set him adrift so he could go ashore and connect to the Japanese. While the Japanese were skeptical, MacDonald convinced them that his intentions were good. Luckily, they believed him, and he was soon put to work teaching the locals English. Later, he helped negotiate a trade agreement between Japan’s government and Admiral Perry, which helped open Japan to the West.
Eventually, MacDonald returned to Washington, although his sailing career wasn't over. During his time on land, he made a written declaration to the US Congress and spoke highly of the Japanese.
Come check out this little-known piece of local history.
Before today, had you ever heard of the MacDonald grave? Have you ever been to this beautiful park? If so, what was your favorite part? Did you know that this was the smallest state park in Washington? What are some of your favorite Washington state parks? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
