10 fall foliage destinations in the US for an autumn road trip
From classic New England scenery to hidden gems in Texas, Oklahoma and Oregon, these destinations offer some of the best fall foliage views across the U.S.
Fall brings a colorful transformation to trees each year. Geoff Cornish explains what causes leaves to change from green to shades of red, orange and yellow.
Every autumn, changing leaves can turn towns into bustling hubs as travelers gather to see the season's best colors.
New England has become synonymous with fall foliage, but destinations across the country offer their own charm for a leaf-peeping road trip.
From Vermont's Green Mountains to waterfalls in Oregon, here are 10 places to consider for an autumn getaway across the United States.
When does fall foliage peak?
Fall foliage does not peak everywhere at the same time. Colors generally develop first in northern areas and at higher elevations before progressing southward and into lower elevations. Weather also plays a role, so the timing and intensity of fall color can vary from year to year.
Across the Northeast, Midwest and Rocky Mountains, the most vibrant colors typically arrive from late September into mid-October. Farther south, peak foliage usually follows from mid-October into November.
5 popular fall foliage destinations
1. Stowe and Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
Few destinations capture classic New England fall foliage quite like Stowe. The town sits among Vermont's Green Mountains along Route 100, part of a 71-mile scenic loop through Stowe, Waterbury and Morrisville that becomes a showcase of autumn color.
Road through vibrant autumn colors, Smuggler's Notch, Vermont. (Getty Images/jenifoto)
Nearby Route 108 through Smugglers' Notch offers another popular fall foliage drive. The narrow road winds past Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, and between cliffs that rise roughly 1,000 feet above the road.
2. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive offers more than 100 miles of Blue Ridge Mountain scenery through Shenandoah National Park. The route follows the crest of the mountains with numerous overlooks providing places to stop and take in fall foliage filling the valleys below.
For a longer Appalachian foliage trip, Skyline Drive connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues south through the mountains toward Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
3. Brasstown Bald, Georgia
Some of Georgia's first fall colors can appear around Brasstown Bald, the state's highest mountain at 4,784 feet. The higher elevation helps bring fall color earlier than in many lower locations across the state. The biggest draw is the observation deck at the summit, which provides 360-degree views across the surrounding mountains.
Aerial view of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia, in the fall. (Getty Images/Eifel Kreutz)
On a clear day, portions of four states can be seen from the summit. Visitors can reach the top by a half-mile trail from the parking area or by shuttle when service is available.
4. Door County, Wisconsin
Door County offers a different backdrop from many of the country's mountain-focused fall destinations. Forests, shoreline bluffs, small towns and Lake Michigan combine to create one of the Midwest's best-known fall foliage destinations.
Peninsula State Park is a popular stop, featuring the 60-foot-tall, fully-accessible Eagle Tower with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Scenic roads farther north on the peninsula offer another option for travelers who prefer to experience the fall colors from the car.
5. Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado
One of the most iconic fall foliage scenes in the Rocky Mountains can be found at Maroon Bells, just outside Aspen, Colorado. Two peaks rising above 14,000 feet tower over Maroon Lake, surrounded by groves of golden aspens.
Scenic shot of Maroon Bells 14er mountain peaks in Aspen in the fall with yellow aspen trees and pines reflecting in the lake. (Getty Images/Christina Gray)
Access to the popular area is managed during the busy season, so travelers should check current parking and shuttle reservation requirements before making the trip.
5 hidden gems for fall foliage
1. Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Pennsylvania
Pine Creek Gorge cuts through the forests of north-central Pennsylvania, creating a sweeping fall landscape better known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Colton Point State Park offers some of the best views across the gorge, especially when the surrounding hills are covered in fall color.
Pine Creek Gorge filled with fog on an autumn morning. (Getty Images/Shawn Grenninger/500px)
For a longer northern Pennsylvania foliage trip, Kinzua Bridge State Park offers expansive views across Kinzua Gorge. The main overlook incorporates the remains of a railroad viaduct that was largely destroyed by a tornado in 2003.
2. Talimena National Scenic Byway, Oklahoma and Arkansas
Fall foliage road trips are not limited to New England or the Rockies. The Talimena National Scenic Byway winds for 54 miles through the Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
The road was designed to showcase the scenery and fall foliage of the forested mountains, with numerous turnouts and overlooks along the route. More than 15 scenic vistas are located along the Oklahoma portion alone, giving travelers frequent places to stop and take in the views.
3. Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas
Texas may not be the first state that comes to mind for a fall foliage trip, but Lost Maples State Natural Area protects an isolated stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples that can produce a striking display of autumn color.
The park is about two hours northwest of San Antonio and includes more than 10 miles of trails through canyons and woodlands. Its lower national profile does not mean it stays quiet during foliage season: Texas Parks and Wildlife says October and November are its busiest months and the natural area can reach capacity, making advance planning important.
4. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, South Dakota
The Black Hills provide one of the more overlooked fall foliage settings in the northern U.S., and Spearfish Canyon puts the scenery within easy reach of the road.
Spearfish Canyon, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA. (Photo by: Sharpshooters/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The 19-mile scenic byway follows Spearfish Creek between towering limestone cliffs and forests of spruce, pine, aspen, birch and oak. Fall color adds reds, oranges and yellows to the landscape while waterfalls such as Roughlock Falls provide places to get out of the car and explore along the way.
5. McDowell Creek Falls County Park, Oregon
Oregon's McDowell Creek Falls County Park combines two classic Pacific Northwest sights: waterfalls and a forest filled with maples and towering evergreens.
Located east of Lebanon in the Willamette Valley, the park has roughly 3 miles of hiking trails leading to Royal Terrace Falls and Majestic Falls. Bridges and viewing decks offer different perspectives while bigleaf maples mixed among western hemlock and red cedar add autumn color to the forest.
Middle McDowell Creek Falls. (Getty Images/Gordon Banks)
McDowell Creek is also an alternative for travelers looking to avoid some of Oregon's larger fall crowds, making it a fitting hidden gem for a Pacific Northwest foliage trip.
"Hidden gem" does not necessarily mean there are few visitors during peak foliage. These destinations can still draw in autumn travelers, but they have less national name recognition than places such as Stowe, Vermont, Shenandoah National Park and Aspen, Colorado.
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