Mountain air, canyon views, and small-town streets give dazzling fall foliage the perfect backdrop from coast to coast.
From Alaska's subarctic temperatures to the dry air of Nevada’s deserts and Texas's stormy summer nights, the weather rarely aligns across all 50 states—except in the fall. Autumn may be the most harmonious season across the country, weather-wise, bringing cooler breezes and golden trees to nearly every state.
This transitional season starts shifting our nation's leaves in mid-to-late September and runs through the end of December, when the climate splits and the West, Northeast, and Midwest typically brace for bitter cold. This year, the East Coast is in for particularly dazzling leaves as the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a longer-than-usual run that will peak toward the end of the season.
If you’re hoping to make the most of the autumn views, we’ve collected some of the most stunning destinations to admire the fall foliage across the 50 states.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Peak Season: mid-October to late October
Shenandoah National Park borders Virginia’s share of the Blue Ridge Mountains and spans over 197,000 acres. The park offers visitors over 500 miles of hiking trails, but if you’d rather cruise through the falling leaves, Shenandoah is also home to Skyline Drive, a 105-mile official National Scenic Byway.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Peak Season: the first two weeks of October
Sun Valley is known for celebrity slope sightings, but the luxe resort town is also a sight to behold in the fall as the trees across the Bald and Dollar Mountains shift from lush green into golden hues. This destination is also rich in culture. Ernest Hemingway famously finished writing his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls in suite 206 at the Sun Valley Resort.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Peak Season: late September through mid-to-late October
Is there ever a bad season in New England? The region, filled with rom-com-worthy small towns, is especially serene in the fall when red, orange, and yellow trees adorn the illustrious Monument Mountain. The historic highlands are a premier destination for hiking, scenic drives, and, of course, leaf peeping.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon/Washington
Peak Season: mid-October through early November
Nestled between California and Washington State, the Columbia River Gorge combines forest and beach landscapes, making for one of the most unique locations on our list. A mystical fog wafts through the 80-mile river canyon as iconic bigleaf maple trees frame Multnomah and Horsetail Falls. Even more, the Hood River Fruit Loop offers a 35-mile scenic drive sure to stun even the most devoted indoorsman.
Camden, Maine
Peak Season: the third week of October
The “Jewel of the Maine Coast” combines mountain and harbor views in a breathtaking landscape. Here, vibrant autumn hues shine against the rich, dark blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean as you hike up Mount Battie’s 800-foot peak. If you’d rather relax and take in the sweeping sights, hop on the Snow Bowl chairlift for a bird’s-eye view of the rolling landscape.
Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont
Peak Season: late September through mid-October
Another New England escape is Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest. It’s a favorite for winter sports, but Vermont’s autumn can be just as charming. Spanning about 400,000 acres, the region is widely regarded as a hiker’s dream, with an abundance of trails of varying difficulties, each boasting stunning foliage.
North Conway, New Hampshire
Peak Season: late September through the first two weeks of October
North Conway is known for its outdoor recreation scene. The White Mountains village is famous for its hiking trails to Diana's Baths, a natural showcase of small waterfalls and prime foliage drives. While those routes are sure to please, the best way to take in the fall colors is a trip on the scenic railroad, where a vintage train meanders through historic stations and mountain notches under the gold-and-rust tree canopy.
Lake Placid, New York
Peak Season: late September through the first two weeks of October
Encompassing much of upstate New York, the Adirondacks are a must-see for foliage seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are tons of spots across the range to take in the gorgeous gradients, but very few match the vibrancy of Lake Placid. Visitors can take in the sights driving or biking along the five-mile-long Whiteface Mountain Veterans' Memorial Highway, or hop on the Cloudsplitter Gondola for an even better view of the leaves and mountain peak.
Providence, Rhode Island
Peak Season: mid-to-late October through early November
Sugar maples and river birch make up some 5,000 trees in Roger Williams Park, a premier spot for urban leaf peeping. With over 400 acres, the historic park offers winding paths for folks to walk or bike along and is home to a series of lakes. If you’re feeling especially reflective, a Japanese garden also awaits.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Peak Season: last week of October through the first week of November
It can be hard to come by fall foliage in the Southwest, but thanks to the elevation of the Guadalupe Mountains, Texans can still enjoy the joys of changing foliage. The trails at Guadalupe tend to hit capacity most weekends, so planning is essential if you want to catch the autumn leaves. According to locals, the best views require a longer, more difficult hike to “The Notch,” where you can peer down into South McKittrick Canyon’s abundance of trees.
Bishop Creek Canyon, California
Peak Season: mid-September through early November
Rumored to have the most stunning displays of fall foliage in the American West, Bishop Creek Canyon’s North Lake is famous for reflecting bold gold and orange aspens along the water’s edge. If you’d rather not walk, a drive along the South Fork offers picturesque sights of high-elevation aspen groves.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Peak Season: late September through mid-October
Great Basin is filled with trails, but you’ll want to consider two if you’re hoping for prime leaf peeping. The Lehman Creek Trail takes hikers on a six-mile trip straight through aspen groves that turn golden at their fall peak, while Baker Creek Loop trades miles for stunning lake views with a three-mile trek along placid lakes reflecting the autumn colors.
Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia
Peak Season: mid-October through early November
Nestled between Georgia and Tennessee is arguably the prettiest spot in the Blue Ridge range to catch the foliage. The warmer temperatures to the south mean you’ll hike in a milder climate without losing the vibrancy of autumn’s changing leaves. While there is no shortage of trails or byways for taking in the views, if you’re searching for the perfect spot, look no further than Hogpen Gap. Already the highest point on the route, this stop is also a crossing point on the Appalachian Trail. Even more, Hogpen offers the best view of Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia’s range.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee
Peak Season: early October through early November
Tennessee also shares the Smoky Mountains with North Carolina, where the fall foliage is regarded as some of the best in the country. Prime viewing sites include Newfound Gap Road, which bisects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and connects Cherokee, North Carolina, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Uphill, Cades Cove is surrounded by towering mountains and doubles as a great spot to take in local wildlife. If you’re game for a more intense hike, Kuwohi is a must-visit spot. Clocking in at 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the highest peak in the Smokies and offers stunning 360-degree views.
The Porcupine Mountains, Michigan
Peak Season: late September through the first week of October
The Porcupine Mountains might not be one of the most well-known spots for prime leaf peeping, but it’s certainly one of the dreamiest. The range is home to “Lake of the Clouds.” When the alpine lake is viewed from above, low-rolling fog makes it seem as if clouds are rolling over the water’s surface. In the fall, the dramatic valley and rocky-faced ridges are surrounded by bright rust, yellow, and orange leaves.
Brown County State Park, Indiana
Peak Season: mid- to late October through early November.
With over 16,000 acres of changing trees, there’s no shortage of gorgeous views in Brown County State Park. For those traveling on foot, you’ll want to check out Aynes Loop, which offers roughly four miles of trail through the park’s dense hardwood forests. For those planning on a scenic drive, Indiana’s State Road 46 is ripe with scenic views and hilltop pull-offs.
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