With the glowing golds of aspens and hickories, the burnt orange of sumac, and the vermilions and plums of oaks and maples, the colors of autumn are some of nature’s most spectacular displays. Fortunately, if you live in the United States, you won’t have to travel too far afield to find a spectacular show of fall foliage, thanks to numerous national parks, state parks, and scenic drives around the country. Whether you’re on the hunt for a classic leaf-peeping experience in New England, or prefer your fall foliage paired with a glass of California pinot, here are some of the best places in the United States to see fall colors.
Grand Marais is a gorgeous stop on a fall foliage road trip.
Photo by Eva Breitinger/Shutterstock
1. Grand Marais, Minnesota
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to early October
The crown jewel of Lake Superior’s North Shore, this small town is the ultimate fall cornucopia—overflowing with delicious things to eat, see, buy, and do. The lung-busting hike to Devil’s Kettle Falls at Judge C.R. Magney State Park will take you the better part of a morning, but the payoff is a mysterious “waterfall to nowhere”. You’ll have to see it to know what we mean.
The small town is a part of U.S. Highway 61, an approximately 1,400-mile road connecting New Orleans, Louisiana, to Wyoming, Minnesota. Embark on this cross-country trip and you’ll see incredible foliage along the Mississippi River. And put on some Bob Dylan (preferably his album Highway 61 Revisited) for the ultimate playlist.
Where to stay: East Bay Suites
- Book now: odysseyresorts.com
The lakeside East Bay Suites offers clean and comfortable rooms steps from the town center and Lake Superior. Bonus: It’s dog friendly.
Sequoia National Park isn’t all evergreen; in the autumn months, the park’s dogwoods turn orange and crimson.
Photo by Sara Edwards/Shutterstock
2. Sequoia National Park, California
When to see fall foliage: October
Underneath the canopy of towering sequoias of Sequoia National Park, fallen fern fronds blanket the forest floor with a bright lemon yellow. This approximately 320-square-mile park is one of the best national parks for catching fall foliage, in part because its namesake evergreens don’t change color, providing a contrast to the blue oaks and dogwoods as they turn garnet and amber. Afar contributor Melanie Haiken advises travelers to visit the uncrowded southern Mineral King Valley to witness warm hues of aspen, cottonwood, and thimbleberry, which frame the basin of the glacial valley.
Where to stay: Silver City Mountain Resort
- Book now: silvercityresort.com
The long-standing Silver City Mountain Resort offers guests a peaceful cabin retreat among the sequoias and an on-site restaurant. (Don’t miss a slice of its house-made pies.)
Glacier National Park is known for a particular deciduous pine that turns bright yellow in fall.
Photo by Jacob W. Frank for Glacier NPS/Flickr
3. Glacier National Park, Montana
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to mid-October
A gorgeous national park for a quiet retreat, Glacier National Park is awash with color for several weeks between mid-September and mid-October. In particular, the western larch gets a lot of admirers as its needles turn yellow before falling off (which rarely happens to coniferous trees).
For the best views, Highway 2 (particularly the southwest side of the park) and Lake McDonald are a couple of places for fall foliage action. You can even admire them from the Flathead River, which flows through the park, on a rafting trip.
Where to stay: Lake McDonald Lodge & Cabins
- Book now: glaciernationalparklodges.com
Book a stay inside the park with a room at the Swiss-styled Lake McDonald Lodge & Cabins. Built in 1913–14, it occupies the scenic shore of the largest lake in Glacier National Park—and the views of it are stunning.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park includes almost 50,000 acres of land.
Photo by Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
4. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to early October
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, on the Upper Peninsula, is best known for its Upper Falls: As one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, it’s more than 200 feet wide and has a drop of over 50 feet. Downstream, you can find Lower Falls, which consists of five smaller waterfalls pooling around an island. Although this is a popular summer spot for hikers to traverse more than 35 miles of trails, the park is resplendent in fall. Across its 46,000 acres, trees in practically all shades of yellow, orange, and red frame the dramatic vistas.
Where to stay: Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise
- Book now: magnusongrandlakefront.com
About a 20-minute drive from Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise is located on Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. In addition to offering a complimentary breakfast, the stay also has a hot tub and sauna.
5. Talkeetna, Alaska
When to see fall foliage: Late August to early September
Early fall is a quieter, brilliant time to check out this laid-back mountain town, which has a colorful history as an outpost beloved by gold miners, trappers, and homesteaders. (The Talkeetna Historical Society Museum is a good place to start.)
On a clear day, Denali—the tallest mountain in North America—is visible, but be sure to make time for the national park proper: By September, aspen and balsam poplar trees at the entrance are a brilliant yellow, and scrub vegetation (also known as the taiga) turns rust colored in cooler months, making for an impressive vista.
Where to stay: Denali Fireside Cabins & Suites
- Book now: denalifireside.com
The family-owned Denali Fireside Cabins & Suites is a quiet resort with log cabins and suites within walking distance to town. It also offers complimentary pickup from the train station, should you journey on the Alaska Railroad.
Scenic Shenandoah National Park is only 75 miles from Washington, D.C.
Photo by Vladimir Grablev/Shutterstock
6. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to mid-November
For three days every October, Shenandoah National Park offers one of the more creative ways to celebrate the season: the Shenandoah Fall Foliage Bike Festival (which will take place October 18–20 in 2024), when anywhere from 550 to 750 bikers ride gorgeous routes for a weekend. Nature’s dazzling show starts earlier than that, however, in the high mountains around Swift Run Gap and Lewis Mountain; toward the end of September, Virginia creeper turns wine red and maples begin to flame throughout the area near Upper Pocosin in the national park.
The best—and most popular—driving route for leaf viewing is along the Skyline Drive Scenic Byway, which has no fewer than 75 scenic overlooks along its 105 miles. Bacon Hollow and Stony Man Overlook are among the best spots from which to take in the buttery yellow hickories, chili pepper–red oaks, and maples in every shade.
Where to stay: Oakhurst Inn
- Book now: oakhurstinn.com
While Shenandoah is a doable day trip from the Washington, D.C. area (the park is about a 90-minute drive from the nation’s capital), consider embracing fall with a collegiate tint at the boutique Oakhurst Inn, a 36-room property with history from the 1910s. It’s located in Charlottesville, Virginia, 30 minutes east of the Skyline Scenic Drive Byway.
Head to Franconia Notch State Park for vistas of the White Mountains.
Photo by haveseen/Shutterstock
7. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to mid-October
In the midst of White Mountain National Forest, along eight miles of I-93, are many outdoor activities packed into one state park: Echo Lake at the northern end of the park; a two-mile, waterfall-dotted walk through Flume Gorge at the southern end; and a hike along the Appalachian Trail in between. Conveniently, the park is a short jaunt north off the epic Kancamagus Highway, a scenic byway that curves 56 miles through dense foliage.
Where to stay: Lafayette Place Campground and Sugar Hill Inn
Lafayette Place Campground is the most central camping site for the park. If you prefer a freshly made bed, check into the charming Sugar Hill Inn; its on-site restaurant, spa services, and cozy stone fireplaces will pamper guests after a long day outdoors.
Smugglers’ Notch State Park is located near Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.
Photo by Jessica Mae Gonzaga/Shutterstock
8. Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Vermont
When to see fall foliage: September to mid-October
One of four state parks located within Mount Mansfield State Forest, Smugglers’ Notch State Park is named for the narrow pass in the Green Mountains where Vermonters used to smuggle goods from Canada in the 1800s. During autumn, those mountains turn into a showcase of red, yellow, and orange. The park is a must-stop on a fall road trip throughout the state—a mere 10 or so minutes by car brings travelers to the town of Stowe, which calls itself “Fall’s Color Capital”.
Where to stay: Field Guide Lodge
- Book now: larkhotels.com/hotels/field-guide-lodge
Decor touches like aspen tree wallpaper, deer motifs, and indoor fireplaces give the centrally located Field Guide Lodge a cozy, escape-to-the-woods atmosphere. And if you’re not ready to go indoors, worry not—the property has outdoor firepits and a seasonal hot tub to enjoy after the sun goes down.
Manchester is one of the best places to see Vermont’s maple trees change colors.
Photo by Steven Noroian/Shutterstock
9. Manchester, Vermont
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to mid-October
Manchester, a town hugged by southern Vermont’s Taconic and Green mountains, shines most in fall. For DIY travelers cobbling together their own itinerary, be sure to build in stops at some famous covered bridges: The 117-foot Chiselville Bridge, spanning Roaring Branch brook in Sunderland, and the oft-painted, 166-year-old Bridge at the Green in West Arlington are not to be missed.
Where to stay: Inn at Manchester and the Kimpton Taconic Hotel
- Book now: innatmanchester.com | taconichotel.com
Book a stay at the 21-room, family-run Inn at Manchester, on a peaceful, grassy, four-acre property with views of the nearby forests, or just down the road at centrally located, four-star Kimpton Taconic Hotel. Its restaurant, the Copper Grouse, serves fresh, American fare like smash burgers and wedge salads.
Enjoy the foliage up close while on the Cascades Trail in North Adams.
Photo by haveseen/Shutterstock
10. North Adams, Massachusetts
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to mid-October
Nestled in the Berkshires near the Vermont state line, this charming small town is home to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), a 19th-century factory mill complex turned modern center for world-class art. But given the vibrant autumn colors, you will want to spend most of your time outdoors: Head to nearby Mount Greylock for hiking trails that lead to the highest point in Massachusetts. The summit, which you can also reach by car, features a 12,500-acre preserve.
For a fall foliage activity, take the Cascades Trail—it’s a fairly gentle walk close to picturesque downtown North Adams, with the payoff of a waterfall.
Where to stay: Tourists
- Book now: touristswelcome.com
Check into Tourists, which was opened in 2018 by John Stirratt—the bassist with the Chicago alt-rock group Wilco—as a contemporary, rustic-chic hotel with a bar and comfort-food joint, the Airport Rooms.
Starting in September, the Hudson Valley becomes a display of spectacular color.
Photo by Carol Bell/Shutterstock
11. Hudson Valley, New York
When to see fall foliage: Mid-September to Late October
New York’s Hudson Valley is a 2.5-hour drive from the city, making it a great weekend getaway during autumn when the region’s oak, maple, and beech trees change colors. Beacon offers some of the best viewing experiences along the 70 miles of hiking trails throughout Hudson Highlands State Park and atop the 1,500-foot Mount Beacon.
But there’s plenty to see off the trails, too. Afar contributor Mark Ellwood notes that the towns along the Hudson River buzz with creative energy: Drive to Andes and you can taste some of the local cider at Wayside or head to Hudson and check out the area’s innovative food scene at spots like Culture Cream and Lil’ Deb’s Oasis.
Where to stay: The Maker
- Book now: themaker.com
The Maker is a 2020-opened property in Hudson featuring four Maker suites, each with a unique theme ranging from the book-filled “Writer” to the painting-covered “Artist.”
Groves of aspen in Rocky Mountain National Park glow yellow in autumn.
Photo by haveseen/Shutterstock
12. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
When to see fall foliage: Late September
Spanning both sides of the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park glows with quaking aspens, their gold and copper canopies contrasting elegantly with their silvery trunks. Aspens thrive at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet, so head to the national park spots Hollowell Park, Beaver Meadows, and Glacier Gorge, which are also home to pumpkin-orange cottonwoods. Nothing tops the hiking trail to Gem Lake, along which dense groves of aspen pop out against the red rock formations of Lumpy Ridge.
Fall is also rutting season for the park’s elk herds, which migrate down from the high peaks as the temperature drops; look for them along Bear Lake Road and in the Colorado River Valley on the west side. Don’t miss a photo op at Grand Lake, just outside the park boundary, with its deep green waters thickly haloed by fiery aspens.
Where to stay: Taharaa Mountain Lodge
- Book now: taharaa.com
Immerse yourself in nature at one of the 18 rooms and suites at Taharaa Mountain Lodge, which is at the foot of Lily Mountain and only five miles from the park.
Travelers to Leonard Harrison State Park can explore fall nature on hikes like the Overlook Trail.
Photo by Scenic Corner/Shutterstock
13. Leonard Harrison State Park, Pennsylvania
When to see fall foliage: Late September to early October
The 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park sits smack on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, known as Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, which is 800 feet deep and nearly 4,000 feet across. Take the Turkey Trail Path one mile to the bottom of Pine Creek Gorge, which is especially scenic in fall when red maples, hickories, and white oaks are awash with warm colors.
Where to stay: Rough Cut Lodge
- Book now: roughcutlodge.com
Among the nearest lodging to the Pine Creek Gorge, Rough Cut Lodge offers a number of cabins and suites that are clean and spacious and include amenities such as televisions, kitchens, and fireplaces.
Get out on the water to catch some of the best views of Acadia National Park.
Photo by Doug Lemke/Shutterstock
14. Acadia National Park, Maine
When to see fall foliage: Early to late October
In autumn, the thickly forested peaks that slope down to the Atlantic in Acadia National Park are a stark contrast to the blue sea. You can appreciate photogenic views of the park’s craggy coastline from a boat, but you won’t see its blueberry bushes turn lipstick red or the sumac flame scarlet unless you hike one of the park’s more than 150 miles of trail.
The area’s best view is from the Blue Hill Overlook atop the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain, and it’s worth the seven-mile round-trip hike for a look. Toward the base of the mountain (just off Park Loop Road), the 187-acre Jordan Pond offers a spectacular view of a multi-hued treeline against two rounded hills known as the Bubbles. For a truly classic fall color experience, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park and listen to the hooves clop over fallen leaves.
Where to stay: Under Canvas Acadia
- Book now: undercanvas.com
Sure, you could book a hotel in nearby Bar Harbor. But if you prefer to spend your entire weekend out in the wild, book a luxurious, glamping-style tent at Under Canvas Acadia, where guests can sleep and make s’mores en plein aire, all without forgoing any creature comforts (such as a comfortable bed, clean showers, or wood-burning fireplaces).
Enjoy the scenery of Sonoma County, which is home to more than 400 wineries.
Photo by cdrin/Shutterstock
15. Sonoma wine country, California
When to see fall foliage: Mid-October to mid-November
Autumn marks harvest season in Sonoma wine country, when grapes for the region’s world-famous wines are picked and winemakers begin to barrel the year’s vintages. As the grapevines are picked, their leaves begin to change, resulting in a brilliant display of sunset-hued vineyards against a backdrop of Douglas fir and redwood trees.
But it’s not just the scenery that makes Sonoma County vineyards worth visiting in the fall—it’s also a festive time. With the busiest few weeks of the year behind them, many wineries will celebrate their hard work with harvest dinners (some exclusive to wine club members, some open to the public) and by adding new vintages to their tasting lists.
Where to stay: Montage Healdsburg, the Madrona, and Harmon Guest House
- Book now: montage.com | themadronahotel.com| harmonguesthouse.com
Base yourself in historic Healdsburg, a small town in the heart of several wine growing regions (such as the Dry Creek and Russian River AVAs). Choose from Montage Healdsburg, an ultra-luxurious resort on a quiet property outside of town; the Madrona, a historic mansion–turned–hotel that was remodeled in 2022; or Harmon Guest House, a stylish property with a steam room and a rooftop bar right off of the town’s main plaza.
Founded in 1705, Lambertville is a small town full of paths for admiring the changing trees.
Photo by JWCohen/Shutterstock
16. Lambertville, New Jersey
When to see fall foliage: Mid- to late October
Visiting Lambertville is like getting two sweet towns in one, as it sits across the Delaware River from the equally charming New Hope, Pennsylvania. To immerse yourself in nature, the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is five minutes from Lambertville on the Jersey side; here you can canoe, picnic, bicycle, hike, horseback ride, or fish for perch and pickerel.
On the New Hope side of the river, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is flush with colorful fall foliage. In October, the beech trees, black oaks, and maples turn yellow, red, and purple; come November, you can see wild senna, witch hazel, and juniper berries on Eastern red cedars.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Philadelphia and Lambertville House
- Book now: fourseasons.com/philadelphia | lambertvillehouse.com
Less than an hour’s drive away, Lambertville is an easy day trip while visiting Philadelphia, which landed a spot on Afar’s Where to Go in 2024 list. The 2019-opened Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, occupying the top 12 floors of the Comcast Technology Center, is a top place to base yourself for a city stop after your fill of nature.
But if you prefer to spend the night in Lambertville, book a room at Lambertville House, which has 26 quaint guest rooms in a historic building that dates back to the 1800s.
17. New River Gorge, West Virginia
When to see fall foliage: Mid-October
The United States’ newest national park, designated in 2020, New River Gorge is best explored in autumn, when the region’s typically hot and muggy summers begin to give way to cooler temperatures, and the poplars, aspens, and cottonwood trees start to turn orange.
Spend a full day leisurely driving the scenic backroads that weave in and out of the park. Outdoorsy travelers won’t want to miss one of the more active ways to explore—whether by whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, or hiking. For guided tours and gear rentals, ACE Adventure Resort is an excellent option for climbing, rafting, or kayaking. Arrowhead Bike Farm specializes in mountain bike rentals and has a knowledgeable staff who can recommend trails for any level.
Where to stay: Adventures on the Gorge and Lafayette Flats
- Book now: adventuresonthegorge.com | lafayetteflats.com
Adventures on the Gorge doesn’t just specialize in white-water rafting and outdoor excursions—it also has a variety of cabins and camping options on its park-adjacent property. For a stay in town, opt for Lafayette Flats in nearby Fayetteville, a collection of vacation apartments in a recently renovated, stone building that has stood at the center of town for more than 100 years.
With over 100 species of trees, Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts an impressive variety of autumn color.
Photo by Model/Shutterstock
18. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
When to see fall foliage: Mid-October to early November
With more than 100 species of trees, most of them deciduous, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an impressive variety of fall colors—and one of the longest fall foliage seasons as well. Yellow birches, beeches, and hobblebushes show flashes of color as early as mid-September in higher elevations—like those along the Sugarland Mountain and Appalachian Trails—and autumn wildflowers like coreopsis, goldenrods, asters, and black-eyed Susans add layers of other colors.
But the most spectacular show comes in October, with the deep plum and garnet hues of the hickories, sweet gums, and red and sugar maples. To escape the crush of fall color fans at popular spots like Cades Cove, head east to drive the Roaring Fork nature loop and walk along little-visited Big Creek, or take in the sweeping panoramas from Balsam Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway on the park’s southeastern edge.
Where to stay: Cataloochee Ranch
- Book now: cataloocheeranch.com
There are a number of appealling hotel, camping, and glamping choices in the Great Smoky Mountains area. One of the best is Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley, North Carolina—the dude ranch sits in the foothills of the Smokies, ideal for a fall foliage experience without the need to leave your hotel.
This article was originally published in 2020; it was updated on August 14, 2024, to include current information.
