16 Best Places to Experience Fall Foliage in the US

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park offers some of the most stunning views of fall foliage in the United States. The park is known for its rich variety of trees, from vibrant maples to towering pines, all turning shades of red, orange, and yellow as autumn sets in. Visitors can take advantage of the park’s many hiking trails, such as the Cadillac Mountain Trail, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding forests and coastline.

During the fall, Acadia’s coastal landscapes are framed beautifully by the colorful leaves, making it a perfect spot for photography. Whether you are driving along the scenic Park Loop Road or exploring the trails, the fall experience is unforgettable. Be sure to visit the town of Bar Harbor nearby, where you can enjoy cozy shops and restaurants before or after exploring the park.

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina

The Great Smoky Mountains are renowned for their vibrant fall foliage, which stretches across two states. From early October through mid-November, the park becomes a canvas of vivid reds, oranges, and yellows. The combination of altitude and a wide variety of tree species, including maples and oaks, ensures a diverse and breathtaking display of color.

The park’s numerous hiking trails, such as Clingmans Dome and Alum Cave, provide ample opportunities to enjoy the foliage up close. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, the Newfound Gap Road offers scenic drives that are just as awe-inspiring. The area also features rich wildlife, making it a great destination for nature enthusiasts.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen, Colorado is a renowned destination for fall foliage, especially due to its golden aspens. These trees transform the landscape into a brilliant sea of gold, contrasting with the rugged mountains and clear blue skies. The town itself is charming, offering a mix of outdoor activities, local shops, and excellent dining options.

The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is one of the best places to witness this spectacular foliage. You can hike or take a bus tour around the Maroon Lake, where the reflection of the aspens in the water adds another layer of beauty to the view. The town of Aspen is a great place to stay while exploring the surrounding areas and enjoying the peak fall colors.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park offers a peaceful retreat into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the fall foliage is simply breathtaking. The park’s Skyline Drive is a famous route that runs through the park, offering several overlooks where visitors can admire the changing leaves. With a wide variety of deciduous trees, the park is a perfect place to experience a diverse color palette during the autumn months.

In addition to scenic drives, Shenandoah provides a range of hiking trails for those seeking a more immersive experience. Popular trails like Old Rag and Hawksbill offer rewarding views at their summits, where visitors can take in the colorful foliage that stretches for miles across the mountains.

Door County, Wisconsin

Door County in Wisconsin is a hidden gem for fall foliage enthusiasts. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the area is known for its rolling hills, charming villages, and colorful leaves. The peninsula is home to many parks, such as Peninsula State Park, which provides some of the best views of the autumn colors, with vibrant reds and golds reflected in the waters below.

Besides the foliage, Door County also boasts charming small towns and local cider mills that make for a perfect fall getaway. Whether you’re hiking through the forests or enjoying a scenic drive along the lake, the area is ideal for a cozy and relaxing fall experience. The picturesque lighthouses add to the seasonal charm.

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

The Lake of the Ozarks region in Missouri is a fantastic destination for those looking to enjoy fall foliage in a peaceful lakeside setting. The surrounding hillsides are covered with vibrant trees that transform into a stunning display of fall colors. The winding roads along the lake offer an excellent opportunity for a scenic drive, where you can take in the rich array of red, orange, and yellow leaves.

In addition to the stunning foliage, the region offers boat tours, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing. Lake of the Ozarks State Park, in particular, has some of the best views, with its dense forests and hillsides providing the perfect backdrop for the fall colors. The area is also known for its excellent fall festivals.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are a top destination for anyone looking to experience the best of fall foliage. The region’s vibrant mix of hardwood trees, such as maples and birches, creates an eye-catching display of colors. The Kancamagus Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., takes you through some of the area’s most breathtaking foliage.

For those looking to explore on foot, the White Mountains offer an extensive network of hiking trails, such as the Franconia Ridge Loop, that provide stunning views of the surrounding foliage. The nearby town of North Conway also offers a charming atmosphere with local shops and cozy restaurants, making it a perfect base for exploring the area.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State offers an exceptional fall foliage experience against the backdrop of one of the most iconic mountains in the U.S. The park’s diverse ecosystems, including meadows, forests, and alpine slopes, provide a variety of colors as the seasons change. The vibrant reds and oranges of the maples and huckleberry bushes stand out beautifully against the mountain’s snow-capped peaks.

One of the best ways to explore the park is by hiking the numerous trails, such as the Sunrise Rim Trail or the Paradise Loop, which offer incredible views of the changing foliage. The park’s high elevation means that the colors peak later than in other parts of the country, giving visitors a longer window to experience the fall beauty.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

The Columbia River Gorge offers a stunning fall experience, especially as the region’s waterfalls become framed by colorful leaves. The area’s lush forests are transformed into a vivid tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows as fall sets in. Visitors can explore the famous Multnomah Falls and several other waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway, all while soaking in the vibrant autumn colors.

In addition to the waterfalls, the gorge offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, and scenic drives. The area’s vineyards are also a great stop, where you can sample wines while enjoying the spectacular fall foliage views. The region is well-known for its natural beauty year-round, but autumn truly brings out its full splendor.

Catskills, New York

The Catskill Mountains in New York are a popular fall foliage destination due to their breathtaking views and charming small towns. The mountains offer an extensive network of trails, such as those in Kaaterskill Falls and Slide Mountain, where hikers can immerse themselves in the changing leaves and take in the stunning panoramic views.

The area is also famous for its picturesque covered bridges and quaint villages like Woodstock and Phoenicia, which provide a perfect base for exploring the fall foliage. The region’s tranquil atmosphere, combined with vibrant forests of maple, oak, and birch, makes it a must-visit destination for fall lovers.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, with its geothermal features and abundant wildlife, also offers an incredible display of fall foliage. As the park’s wide variety of trees change color, the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds contrast with the park’s rugged terrain and geothermal activity. The Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are particularly beautiful during fall, offering expansive views of the colorful landscape.

Visitors can explore the park’s extensive network of trails or take a scenic drive through Yellowstone’s diverse landscapes. In addition to the fall foliage, the park is known for its wildlife, including bison, elk, and wolves, which can be seen in the valleys. The crisp fall air adds to the beauty of the park during this season.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is a beautiful destination for experiencing fall foliage against the backdrop of towering peaks. The park’s aspen and cottonwood trees turn brilliant gold in autumn, creating a striking contrast with the park’s dark pine forests and snowy mountains. The Snake River offers some of the best views of the changing leaves, especially when framed by the iconic Teton Range.

Popular hiking trails like the Cascade Canyon Trail and the Jenny Lake Loop provide excellent opportunities to see the fall colors up close. The park is less crowded during the fall, allowing visitors to enjoy the peaceful landscapes and wildlife, including moose, elk, and deer. The area is also a fantastic spot for photographers seeking to capture the stunning autumn scenery.

Mount Hood, Oregon

Mount Hood in Oregon is a popular destination for fall foliage, especially for those looking to experience the changing leaves with a view of an active volcano. The surrounding forests of maple, alder, and oak create a brilliant display of colors, particularly along the Timberline Trail. The mountain’s rugged beauty and the stunning backdrop of the Cascade Range make it a standout fall destination.

Visitors can enjoy scenic drives through the surrounding valleys or take one of the many hiking trails that offer picturesque views of the colorful foliage. Mount Hood’s lower elevations are especially known for vibrant autumn colors, and the surrounding towns, such as Hood River, offer charming accommodations and excellent local food.

Rocky Mountain National Park offers some of the most striking fall foliage in the western United States. The park’s dense forests of aspen trees turn a brilliant golden yellow, creating a stunning contrast against the backdrop of rugged mountain peaks. Visitors can drive along the Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest paved roads in North America, offering sweeping views of the changing landscape.

In addition to the foliage, the park is also known for its wildlife, including elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. For those looking to get even closer to nature, the park has a variety of hiking trails that lead to pristine alpine lakes and mountain vistas. Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park is a unique experience, with the chance to witness both wildlife and vibrant foliage in one of the most scenic areas of the U.S.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia/North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most famous scenic drives in the U.S. and offers some of the best fall foliage in the southeastern United States. The parkway stretches across two states, offering travelers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves as they pass through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road offers multiple overlooks and hiking trails that provide stunning panoramic views of the colorful landscape.

The area is particularly famous for its dense forests of oak, hickory, and maple trees, which turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. Visitors can also enjoy the area’s charming small towns, such as Asheville, which offer great food, shopping, and local culture. Whether you’re hiking through the trails or simply enjoying the scenic drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking vibrant fall foliage.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park in Washington State is a diverse and stunning destination to experience fall foliage. The park’s varied ecosystems, from temperate rainforests to rugged coastal cliffs, provide a wide range of foliage experiences. The vibrant colors of the maples and other deciduous trees stand out against the deep greens of the moss-covered trees in the Hoh Rain Forest and the Olympic Mountains in the background.

The park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, wildlife watching, and exploring its beaches. One of the most popular spots to view fall colors is along the Sol Duc River, where the colorful leaves are reflected in the water. The combination of diverse ecosystems and stunning landscapes makes Olympic National Park an ideal place to enjoy the full range of fall foliage.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.