Murali Narayanan Photography

Autumn along the 35-mile stretch of US Highway 2 (locally also called Stevens Pass Highway) between Stevens Pass and Leavenworth, WA is a photographer’s dream, where the winding road follows the Wenatchee River through a corridor of vivid color. Golden cottonwoods and fiery maples line the banks, their reflections shimmering in the clear water. The contrast between the evergreen conifers and the blazing deciduous trees is what makes this stretch of the highway so spectacular in the fall. Morning mist often lingers over the river, softening the light and adding a painterly mood to the landscape. By late afternoon, warm sunlight filters through the valley, illuminating the fall canopy in a brilliant glow. It’s a stretch of highway where fall feels alive—fleeting, radiant, and photogenic.

You can capture stunning images simply by stepping out of your car—no hiking required. Mid-October is the ideal time to visit, when the colors reach their vibrant peak. If possible, plan your trip on weekdays to avoid the crowds, and choose days with some cloud cover, as overcast light brings out the richness and depth of the fall hues.

About three miles east of Stevens Pass, you’ll see a landscape on your left filled with evergreens—mainly subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and western hemlock—interspersed with huckleberry, mountain ash, and vine maple shrubs that blaze yellow, orange, and red in the fall.

Aspens are found throughout much of the western U.S., but in Washington State, they appear only in scattered pockets. About 20 miles east, you’ll reach the small hamlet of Winton. From the highway, an old barn comes into view, with a cluster of striking aspens rising behind it. You can turn onto Winton Mill Road, park, and photograph the barn framed by the trees. The best light is in the late afternoon or just after sunrise, when the scene truly comes alive.

About five miles south of Winton, the road enters the spectacular Tumwater Canyon, a scenic gorge carved by the Wenatchee River. Over the next ten miles, you’ll be treated to breathtaking scenery of evergreens and deciduous trees, with vibrant huckleberry, vine maple, and mountain ash bushes adding bursts of color along the riverbanks. The canyon’s dramatic cliffs and lush forests create a striking backdrop for photography, and numerous pullouts make it easy to stop and capture the views. You could easily spend three to four hours exploring this ten-mile stretch before reaching Leavenworth.