There’s no time quite like fall and it’s arguably the most picturesque season in the year. Since leaf-peeping peaks at different times in different places, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to spot fall foliage across the country.
Catskill Mountains, New York
Nothing screams fall more than the Catskill Mountains. There are dozens of breweries, coffee shops, and cute little stores to visit while you take in the scenery. It’s also a great place for a hike or bike ride! Some popular hikes include the Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain, Kaaterskill Falls, and North-South Lake campgrounds. If hiking isn’t your style, you can take the Skyride to the top of Hunter Mountain to catch scenic views of the Catskills.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Cape Cod, whether it’s inland or close to the coast, is a well-known spot for leaf-peepers who want to witness the changing of the seasons. Admire the striking hues of October as the red cedar, white oak, and black oak trees burst into full view.
There are several festivals you can enjoy in the fall in Cape Cod like the Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, Cape Cod Brew Fest, and Vinegrass Music Festival.
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park across a distance of 469 miles, provides a picturesque trip between North Carolina and Virginia. Fall brings brilliant displays of yellows, oranges, and reds to the dogwood, sassafras, and maple trees that adorn every bend in the already breathtaking scenery.
Aspen, Colorado
Beautiful aspen trees that turn the most exquisite yellow-gold in the fall are the reason Aspen, Colorado, got its name. Visitors can engage in various outdoor activities to soak in the breathtaking views before the start of the ski season. Most people go hiking and biking, especially up to the Maroon Bells, two peaks that provide stunning, reflecting views of Maroon Lake.
Ozark National Forest, North Carolina
Over 1.2 million acres of breathtaking scenery can be found in the Ozark National Forest. October is the best month for fall foliage, when you may take walks among trees that are covered in golden, orange, and crimson leaves. In addition, there are lots of beautiful panoramas, mountains, rivers, and springs to capture on camera.
Lake Placid, New York
Though we’d argue that fall is probably the ideal season to visit, the charming town of Lake Placid, which is about five hours from New York City, is most renowned for its winter sports. Experience thrilling outdoor activities like bicycling, canoeing, and hiking while you take in the stunning mountain landscape and the changing leaves in brilliant tones of red, gold, and orange.
As the host of the 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid offers a unique experience: riding to the top of the Olympic Ski Jump, where you can take in breathtaking views of the vibrant fall colors.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is often associated with skiing, but even without the foliage, a visit to this well-liked winter wonderland in the fall is highly recommended. Get ready to be mesmerized by the vibrant foliage, which can be experienced on foot, in the water, or in the air. The foliage is found in a variety of tones of yellow, green, red, and orange.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
This vast park is one of the most accessible and picturesque fall attractions in the eastern United States, spanning approximately 100 miles of views of the central Appalachians. Take to the trails to stroll beneath Virginia’s stunning deciduous forests as they display their most vibrant colors, or drive along the well-known Skyline Drive for breathtaking views of the state’s fall foliage.
Zion National Park, Utah
Fall foliage in Zion offers a sight that’s probably unmatched any place else on the planet: vivid red rock desert complemented with golden cottonwoods and vermillion maples. The park’s rivers and creeks are bordered by deciduous forests, and trails such as the Emerald Pools Trail provide visitors with an immersive experience of Zion’s stunning fall scenery.
Tunnel of Trees, Lake Michigan
Tunnel of Trees is the nickname given to the 20-mile length of M-119 that snakes its way along Lake Michigan under a canopy of treetops, making it one of the most picturesque drives in the country. The two-lane road is breathtaking in the fall when the leaves are a blaze of red, orange, and yellow, but it’s quite magnificent pretty much any time of year.
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