The beauty of the Pacific Northwest in autumn is unrivaled. Crisp evenings, sunny days, and the vibrant array of colors of the trees and shrubbery that dance among the landscapes are something that residents and visitors love. So, give in to the magical colors and weather of fall and venture outside to explore these places to look at fall leaves in Clark County.
Vancouver
The city of Vancouver is home to a multitude of different parks and walking trails that are great for grabbing your shoes and hitting the pavement. Most of them have a variety of trees that put on a show each fall.
This regional park has 190 acres (35 developed) that stretches for 2.5 miles around the shore of Vancouver Lake. There is a little over a mile of asphalt for walking and a gravel/dirt path that allows visitors to meander to take in the sights. The area is home to a variety of waterfowl and wildlife and on clear days, stunning views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams can be seen.
This tree-lined, paved trail is the perfect place to get outside and take in the changing fall landscape. The three-mile trail winds through wetlands and animals like deer, rabbits, beavers, and various bird species can be spotted.
Beautiful trees planted by the United States Army line Officers Row along Evergreen Boulevard. Walkers or joggers can see trees like the American elm, big-leaf maple, black walnut, sugar maple, eastern cottonwood, Douglas fir, and more. There are also 21 preserved Victorian homes along the street that were built in the mid-to-late 1800s that make for a great history lesson.
Washougal
A short drive down Highway 14, Washougal sits on the cusp of the Columbia Gorge. There are stunning water and mountain views throughout the different parks in Washougal, which are all full of colorful trees during the fall season.
Panoramic views of the Columbia Gorge abound here. It is a 5,100-acre park that has over 20 miles of roads and trails that are available for hiking, camping and mountain biking.
This is a wildlife refuge that offers pastures and wetlands for more than 200 species of waterfowl and other birds. This is the ideal place to stroll and enjoy nature, especially during the fall when the trees are decorated for the season.
Camas
Nestled between Vancouver and Washougal, Camas has a variety of quiet parks and walking trails that are perfect for nature enthusiasts. Each year, you can witness the changing of the seasons with a walk in a park.
This 55-acre lake-front facility is idyllic. It offers a little bit of everything: beautiful forest, wetlands, and shoreline for exploring. The walking loop trail is perfect for nature trips with a group of kids or a small hike.
Autumn exploration is the perfect time to grab a light jacket, a bottle of water and get out to take a deep breath of fresh air. With the plethora of options, there is no shortage of adventures waiting to be had while out on a fall walk in Clark County.
Ridgefield
Head up Interstate 5 to find a variety of walking or driving trails to take in the different colors of fall. Megan DeMoss, communications specialist for the City of Ridgefield shares that one of the best ways to find walking trails is to go to Strava, then search the City of Ridgefield. There are several recorded walks with information available for visitors.
Abrams Park
This is an excellent nature escape right in the middle of downtown. Trees are abundant here and there is plenty of space to sit down and relax or walk and take in the fall colors.
Downtown Ridgefield
Explore the shops and enjoy the tree-lined streets of downtown Ridgefield this fall. Overlook Park, located in the heart of downtown, offers sweeping views of the waterfront, river, and wildlife refuge.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
There are walking and driving trails here that take you deep into the wooded beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The 5,300-acre area has diverse habitats that are home to many native wildlife species including deer, geese, eagles and numerous more.
