Fall on Washington’s Evergreen Coast has a rhythm all its own. The crowds thin, the air cools, and the coast takes on a quiet kind of beauty that’s easy to fall in love with. It’s a time for pulling on rain jackets, wandering through the woods, and savoring the best of what this wild stretch of shoreline has to offer.
Watch Coastal Storms
There’s nothing quite like standing at North Head Lighthouse or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center as the Pacific puts on a show. Storm watching here is an experience that stirs something deep—gray skies, crashing waves, and the salty wind that reminds you just how alive this place is.
Razor Clam Digging
One of the most beloved fall traditions on the Evergreen Coast is razor clam digging. On approved tides, locals and visitors head out with lanterns and shovels in hand, searching the sand for signs of clams. The excitement never gets old, and there’s nothing better than frying up your own catch after a successful dig.
Mushroom Foraging
After the first rains, the coastal forests transform into a forager’s dream. Chanterelles, matsutake, and other wild mushrooms carpet the ground around Willapa Bay and the Long Beach Peninsula. Whether you join a guided tour or head out on your own, there’s a quiet joy in walking through the misty woods and discovering what nature has tucked away.
Crabbing and Fishing
Fall is still a great time to drop crab pots or head out on a charter from Ilwaco Harbor. The Dungeness are sweet, the salmon are still running, and there’s something deeply satisfying about coming back to shore with dinner in hand.
Hunting Season on the Coast
For many locals, fall also means early mornings in the field. The mix of forest, bay, and open fields around Pacific County makes it one of the most diverse hunting areas in the state. Ducks rise off the water, elk tracks cut through the mud, and the fog hangs low in the trees—it’s peaceful, patient, and a true connection to the land.
Hiking the Rainy Trails
You learn to love hiking in the rain here. Trails around Black Lake, the Discovery Trail, and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge are especially beautiful in fall, when the colors deepen and the air smells of cedar and salt. Bring a good rain jacket, a thermos of coffee, and take your time. You’ll likely have the trail to yourself.
Savor Local Seafood
When you’re ready to warm up, the coast’s restaurants are serving up the season’s best. Fresh crab, salmon, oysters, and chowder can be found everywhere—from The Depot and Pickled Fish in Long Beach to Drop Anchor in South Bend. Nothing tastes better after a day outdoors.
Explore the Museums
On rainy afternoons, step inside and learn a bit about the stories that shape this coast. The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco offers a look into the area’s maritime history, the World Kite Museum in Long Beach celebrates flight and creativity, and the Northwest Carriage Museum in Raymond showcases craftsmanship from another era.
Fall here isn’t about rushing—it’s about slowing down, breathing in the rain, and finding beauty in the in-between. Whether you’re watching waves crash against the cliffs or wandering through a foggy forest, Washington’s Evergreen Coast feels like home in every season.
