Top places to visit for fall scenery

To many people, fall is the most beautiful season of the year. When the leaves change from green to beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow, you should hop in your car.

This is the best season to road trip for foliage rides. Whether you want to travel for the day or spend a weekend at a bed and breakfast tucked in the woods, we’re going to run down some of the best places to visit if you’re searching for autumn scenery.

The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

One of the most picturesque national parks in the U.S., The Blue Ridge Parkway starts by the James River in Virginia. The official entrance is the North Entrance in Afton, Virginia, and this is a very popular spot for scenic drives. The final point is located just near Mount Pisgah in North Carolina. It’s not incredibly long. If you’re pressed for time or weather is an issue, you can drive the whole thing in one day.

You’ll see all kinds of different foliage during a trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway. With stops in several East Coast forests, there is a wide variety of different trees and many fall colors. You’ll see everything including Birch, Oak, Maple and Sourwood trees. The fall foliage colors are magnificent. If you get lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a black bear on your drive.

Door County, Wisconsin

Stretching out into the Lake Michigan area, Door County is part of the Green Bay of Wisconsin. With a winding drive that has many stories behind it, you’ll swoop through 15 different curves along the Highway 42 area. During the fall months, the colors of the leaves stand out against the water. It’s a view that you won’t even get if you travel to the ocean. You can spend a day driving, or you can hop on the ferry that takes you to Washington Island to see leaves changing colors.

The Hermann Wine Trail in the State of Missouri

When you travel off Route 66 in the western area of St. Louis, the Hermann Wine Trail will provide you with over 20 miles of winding scenic roads. The entire trip is right along the Missouri River, through New Haven and Hermann. This is Missouri at its finest. Because of its rich history of winemaking, you may want to think about stopping here for the weekend. You can find many lovely bed and breakfasts that are located very close to places where you can do some wine tasting. A lot of scenic areas are within walking distance as well.

Hill Country in Texas

If you’re in the Southern Texas area, you’ll want to head north from the San Antonio area. Heading west from Austin, you’ll hit some quaint towns that loop around. It’s a relatively short area, making it perfect if it looks like the weather may change by later in the day. If you want to make a stop or two, you can visit Bandera, Enchanted Rock or one of the Native American-rich locations in Texas. Not to mention, you can get some great food all along this scenic pass whether it be at a festival or cafe.

Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

This is a fall scenery trip that will only last for about 25 miles, but you pass through 3 different mountain passes. This includes the Molas, Coal Bank and Red Mountain. There are a lot of beautiful spots to stop along the way, so you can still make a day out of this shorter trip. People who have seen the mountains in Colorado swear that they are the most beautiful in the country. When you add fall foliage to the mix, this is a breathtaking sight. You can even see some hints of snow when you reach higher elevations. Plan a weekend trip and enjoy some of the natural hot springs in the area.

The Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario

If you want to head up north, grab your passport or birth certificate and visit the Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario. From the Toronto area, you will take Highway 400 to Barrie. From there you hit up Highway 11 to Highway 60, entering the park at its West Gate. In the heart of October, the Sugar and Red Maples are boasting all their best colors. By the end of October, the Tamaracks, Poplars and Red Oaks have changed. There are plenty of places to take beautiful photos. It’s a very common location for family photos, engagement photos, etc. If you’re up for an adventure, there are places that you can hike, kayak and canoe to see leaves changing their colors and enjoy nature. You can continue east to the New England area if you want to extend your trip further to see even more from the change in season during your road trip.

The Natchez Trace Parkway in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee

A two-lane highway that famously passes through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, there is 444 miles total to drive for fall colors and foliage. Used by the Kaintucks of the frontier, soldiers and European settlers, you’ll pass through 4 distinct ecosystems and 8 watersheds. October is the month to visit. The weather is usually very cooperative during autumn. Also, this is when the Hickory, Oak and Maple trees are really changing. In addition to fall scenery, you can also enjoy horseback riding, a local festival or two, hiking, camping, and backpacking. There are also bike paths that allow you to slowly take in the area.

Trinity Scenic Byway, California

Even the west coast has a lot to offer when it comes to fall scenic views. Starting in the valley of Redding to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, you’ll get to see all of the ecosystems that exist in the Northern California area. Don’t forget about the magical Redwoods that are along the coast of Eureka. The majority of this visit will take place along the Trinity River. You can do the entire thing in 3 hours if you’re passing through. There is a lot to do along the way, so plan on making a day of it once the change in season has begun. Just be sure to check the weather report so you don’t get caught in inclement weather. There has been some roadwork in recent years, to improve upon some of the more dangerous corners and curves that are there. Plan ahead for some slow points on the road.

While it might look beautiful where you are right now, the weather can change pretty quickly in the fall. This is especially true for areas like New England or along the east coast. You’ll be depending on the ability to see clearly out of your windshield so you can see all the views. Not to mention, you will probably want to stop at some destinations along the way. 

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