National Recreation Area·Washington·59,940 acres
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Forecast issued Nov 11, 7:48am ET
Higher ground turns first, so the slopes above the road lead the valley by a few days.
1 report came in from Ferry County this week, 1 of them at peak. Our date held. See the county on the map.
When is peak fall foliage at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area around Oct 3, and the four days to aim for are Oct 2 to 5.
That's 5 days later than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the recreation area | Elevation at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 14 to Sep 20 | Starting to turn | |
| Sep 21 to Sep 27 | Nearly peak | |
| Sep 28 to Oct 4 | Peak color | 1,000 to 2,000 ft, 4,000 to 5,000 ft |
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Peak color | 2,000 to 3,000 ft, 3,000 to 4,000 ft |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Just past peak |
- 4,000–5,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 25%
- 3,000–4,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 813%
- 2,000–3,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 656%
- 1,000–2,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 226%
Height off 3DEP inside the recreation area’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the recreation area stands in it.
That’s 5 days later than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.
The place
The ancient geologic landscape of the upper Columbia River cradles Lake Roosevelt in walls of stone carved by massive ice age floods. Come explore the shorelines and learn the stories of American Indians, traders and trappers, settlers and dam builders who called this place home. Swim, boat, hike, camp, and fish at this hidden gem in Northeast Washington, created by the Grand Coulee Dam.
Established 1946.
If you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Friday, October 2 to Saturday, October 3
You’ll find it nearly peak up high, peak color lower down.
Up at 3,000 feet the stands peak around Oct 8; down at 2,000 feet they hold on until about Oct 2. Pick your elevation for the day you come.
- 3,000–4,000 ftNearly peakpeak Oct 8
- 2,000–3,000 ftNearly peakpeak Oct 6
- 1,000–2,000 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 2
- Where to drive
- Sherman Pass Scenic Byway (Route 20), about 24 miles
- What turns
- quaking aspen, Rocky Mountain maple, serviceberry, huckleberry, black cottonwood
What turns, and when
- quaking aspen48%
- Rocky Mountain maple15%
- serviceberry15%
- huckleberry15%
- black cottonwood4%
- willow3%
Also named across Washington, outside what the canopy read measures here: Vine Maple, Bigleaf Maple, Red Alder, Western Larch.
Vine maples turn scarlet in the Cascade understory, bigleaf maples go gold in the lowlands, and the western larches in the Okanogan and Wenatchee forests turn amber on the high slopes.
Questions people ask about Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
- When is peak fall foliage at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?
Our forecast puts peak color at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area around Oct 3, and the four days to aim for are Oct 2 to 5.
- Where is the best fall color at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area right now?
On Nov 11 the recreation area is leaves down. The last band to peak was 3,000 to 4,000 feet, around Oct 8.
- How long does peak last at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?
About four days at the top, Oct 2 to 5, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 3, and on Nov 11 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?
Vine Maple, Bigleaf Maple, Black Cottonwood, Red Alder, Western Larch. Vine maples turn scarlet in the Cascade understory, bigleaf maples go gold in the lowlands, and the western larches in the Okanogan and Wenatchee forests turn amber on the high slopes.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. Out here we score it against NASA's satellite record of when the canopy shuts down, read inside each unit’s own boundary: two dates in three land within 12 days of it. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
Colville and Idaho Panhandle and Okanogan-Wenatchee and Lake Chelan are on the map above, with their own date.
- Peak Oct 3 best Oct 2 to 5
- Peak Oct 5 best Oct 4 to 7
Fall color roads near Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the recreation area, so allow more by road.
- Sherman Pass Scenic Byway (Route 20)
The highest pass road in Washington. Western larch groves turn gold in mid-to-late October against dark subalpine fir.