18 Best Places in America for a Fall Foliage Road Trip

by
18 Best Places in America for a Fall Foliage Road Trip

The leaves are changing color and the temperatures are cooling down, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for a fall foliage road trip! There’s nothing like getting out on the open road and enjoying all that nature has to offer during this beautiful time of year.

Top 18 Places in America for a Fall Foliage Road Trip

If you’re planning a trip to see the fall colors, here are 18 of the best places in America to go:

1. Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia is one of the most popular places to see fall foliage, and for good reason. With its rocky coastline, quaint villages, and stunning mountain vistas, it’s easy to see why. The best time to see the leaves changing color is typically mid-October.

2. White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains are a prime spot for leaf peeping, with plenty of hiking trails to explore. Be sure to take a scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway for some of the best views.

3. Adirondack Mountains, New York

The Adirondack Mountains are one of the most popular places to see fall foliage in New York State. The best time to see the leaves changing color is from mid-September to late October.

4. Catskills, New York

The Catskills region of New York is home to some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country. The area is filled with mountains, forests, and rivers, making it the perfect place to take a scenic drive. There are also plenty of stops along the way where you can get out and enjoy the foliage.

5. Berkshire Mountains, Massachusetts

The Berkshires offer beautiful views of the countryside, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy, from hiking and biking to visiting the many museums and galleries. The area is also home to some of the best fall foliage in the country.

See also  California Redwood - A Complete Guide

6. Green Mountains, Vermont

The Green Mountains are a popular destination for leaf peepers, and it’s easy to see why. With its scenic drives and hiking trails, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the fall colors.

7. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The 105-mile Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park is one of the most popular fall foliage drives in the country. The drive winds its way through the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering stunning views of the Virginia countryside. Be sure to stop at one of the many overlooks to take in the views.

8. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, and for good reason. With its stunning views and abundance of wildlife, it’s a great place to see the fall colors.

9. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular scenic drives in the country, and for good reason. The 469-mile route traverses some of the most beautiful mountains in Virginia, offering stunning views of the fall foliage. The best time to take the drive is in late October when the leaves are at their peak.

10. Ozarks, Arkansas

The Ozarks span across northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, and offer some of the best fall foliage in the country. The region is filled with small towns, country roads, and plenty of opportunities to see the leaves change color.

11. Manitoulin Island, Ontario

This large island in Lake Huron is a popular spot for fall foliage, thanks to its location near the Great Lakes. The island is home to several different types of trees, which means that the leaves change color at different times throughout the season.

See also  Canada Campervan Road Trip

12. Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

The largest provincial park in Ontario, Canada, Algonquin is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is home to a variety of trees and shrubs, including maples, oaks, pines, and birches. During the fall, the leaves of these trees change color, creating a stunning display.

13. Gatineau Park, Quebec

Canada’s Capital Region is well-known for its magnificent fall foliage, and Gatineau Park is one of the best places to enjoy it. The park offers a variety of activities for leaf peepers, including hiking, biking, and picnicking. There are also several scenic lookouts where you can enjoy panoramic views of the autumn colors.

14. Columbia Gorge, Oregon

The Columbia Gorge is one of the most popular places to see fall foliage in the Pacific Northwest. The area is home to a wide variety of trees, including maples, oaks, and aspens. The colors in the gorge are particularly vibrant due to the high elevation.

15. Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park is one of the most scenic places in the Pacific Northwest. The park is home to towering mountains, pristine lakes, and old-growth forests. In the fall, the leaves of the maples, aspens, and firs change color, creating a stunning backdrop for hikes and drives.

16. Glacier National Park, Montana

If you find yourself in the northwest corner of Montana come late September, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road for some of the best fall foliage in Glacier National Park. The road, which is only open to vehicles during the summer months, offers stunning views of mountains, valleys, and forests blanketed in hues of yellow, orange, and red.

See also  10 Amazing Places for Beach Camping in Northern California

17. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

As one of the first national parks in the United States, Yellowstone is unsurprisingly stunning in the fall. With its geothermal features and incredible wildlife, there’s no better place to see the leaves change color than in Yellowstone. The best time to visit is in September and October when the crowds have thinned out and the temperatures are perfect for hiking.

18. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Mt. Rainier is one of the most popular national parks in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason. The park is home to beautiful forests, meadows, and glaciers, as well as Mt. Rainier, the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range. In the fall, the leaves of the trees change color, creating a stunning contrast with the snow-capped mountain.

Recommended: