You’ll Never Believe These 10 Best National Parks for Fall Colors

Are you looking for the best national parks for fall colors from coast to coast plus pro tips for visiting them? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Some of the parks are places you’ll recognize for leaf-peeping, but you may be shocked at some of the lesser-known parks on my list.

If you’re hoping for brilliant fall colors near where you live or no matter what region you’re planning to visit in the U.S., many national parks top that list. Now see if you agree that these are the best places to travel for fall foliage. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are a few of my personal favorites.

Pro Tip: Visiting National Parks

Please remember to always check the National Park Service website for the specific park you’re planning to visit before you leave. Sometimes there are full or partial closures due to wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, excessive snow, other natural disasters, and even government shutdowns.

Acadia National Park – Maine

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Early to Mid-October

New England is one of the world’s top places to go leaf-peeping in autumn. And since Acadia National Park is in New England it makes perfect sense that fall is an ideal time to visit the park. Here’s a list of ideas for the perfect places to walk, bike, paddle and drive in Acadia National Park during leaf-peeping season. As the temperatures drop, the forests explode with vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges. The peak of this colorful display usually happens around mid-October, though it can change from year to year.

Imagine if you will, a leisurely carriage ride through Acadia National Park, one of the best national parks for fall colors. Your horse-drawn carriage meanders through 45 miles (72 km) of charming carriage roads. These rustic paths wind through the park’s stunning mountains and valleys, offering unforgettable views of vibrant fall foliage.

As you travel, the trees burst with shades of yellow, red, and orange, creating a picturesque backdrop for your journey. Most of these roads are perfect for horseback riding too. Whether you’re exploring on your own horse or enjoying a guided carriage ride with the park’s authorized concessionaire [Wildwood Stables]. It’s the perfect way to soak in the beauty of Acadia’s autumn splendor.

Pro Tip: What to Eat at Acadia National Park

Don’t miss out on the world-famous popovers at Jordan Pond House. Fluffy buttery freshly baked popovers have been a long-standing tradition on the menu at Acadia National Park since they were first served back in 1893. Afternoon tea and popovers on the lawn overlooking the pond is a quintessential experience when the weather is gorgeous. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating to sit outside, the Jordan Pond House menu also includes dishes like lobster stew, lobster rolls, and popover sundaes for a special treat in the dining room.

The park welcomes more than 4 million visitors per year so it’s a good idea to make reservations online for dining up to a month in advance. To save time and headaches you can also catch the Island Explorer, a free public shuttle from Bar Harbor, Maine to Jordan Pond House if you have concerns about parking.

Blue Ridge Parkway – NC & VA

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Mid to Late October

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best national parks for fall colors in the Eastern region of America. It’s 470 miles long and spans over 5,000 feet in elevation, so fall colors and temperatures vary quite a bit. The good news is that the majority of trees change color during the month of October. Changes start early on the highest peaks and move down the mountains into the lower elevations throughout the month.

Even if you can’t stay long, winding through the parkway on a crisp fall day can be the perfect way to experience fall. Or get out in the fresh air and take a hike. Listen to the leaves crunch underfoot and smell the rich scents of fall. Campgrounds are only open from May through October, so you’ll want to reserve your campsite well in advance if you want to sleep under the stars.

Pro Tip: 2024 Blue Ridge Parkway Closure

As of Friday, October 4, 2024, the entire 469-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park in North Carolina and Virginia was closed indefinitely due to significant and catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. All uses of the parkway, including vehicle traffic, walking, and bicycle access, were impacted. Check the Blue Ridge Parkway website for the latest updates before planning to visit the park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Ohio

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: October

Leaf-peeping usually peaks around the 2nd or 3rd week of October in this part of the state, but as with all fall foliage locations, it varies slightly every year. Cuyahoga Valley is a gorgeous national park just south of Cleveland, Ohio. You can find spots in the park to see fall colors usually for the entire month of October.

This is a region that’s close to my heart because I grew up nearby. The park is filled with forests of sugar maples and red maples that are usually the first to display spectacular reds, yellows, and oranges. Oaks, Dogwoods, Tulips, and Aspen trees join in the party as one of the best national parks for fall colors in the Great Lakes Region.

The Riverview Trail, Tinker’s Creek Gorge, and Kendall Lake [pictured above] are perfect places to catch double the color with the reflection of the fall leaves in the water. At Kendall Lake take the 1-mile loop trail around the lake, enjoy some fishing, or pack a picnic lunch. The Ledges is another magical spot to enjoy fall leaves. A photo of me at the Ledges is featured on my home page.

Everett Covered Bridge is a fun stop for history and architecture lovers to capture this historically accurate re-creation of the red wooden bridge originally built in the 1800s. Check the link for its history and tips on taking pictures at the bridge.

Pro Tips: Happy 50th Birthday CVNP!

Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrates its 50th birthday in 2024 and 2025. Check out 50 ways to experience the park plus other special events during the celebration.

Here are some ideas for other things to do when you’re in northern Ohio.

Denali National Park – AK

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Mid-August to Early-Sep

Alaska’s Denali National Park has hands down one of the earliest seasons and best national parks for fall colors. The autumn-like magic starts at high elevations in the summer. Early to mid-August the foliage begins to change, then cascades down into the valleys by mid-September. Denali doesn’t have much in the way of structured trails because it’s intended to be one of the few wilderness national parks, but there’s much to see when you take the shuttle bus deep into the park or get off the bus and explore on your own.

Approximately 600,000 people visit the park every year, mostly in the summer, to see the tallest peak in the USA [at 20,000 feet/6100 meters]. That’s well below the millions of visitors that go to the top national parks in the lower 48 states. Other advantages to visiting Denali are the chance to see the Northern Lights and the long hours of daylight in the summer that provide extended days for wildlife viewing and exploring. We even saw a grizzly bear run right alongside the bus when we were there!

Enjoy the experience and let someone else do the driving. Denali has just one long road, and private cars can only drive a small section. Most of the route is reserved for bus traffic. Bus trips run from mid-May to mid-September. Inside the park service along Denali Park Road ends the second Thursday after Labor Day. Advance reservations for bus trips aren’t always necessary, but definitely a good idea if you’re visiting for less than two full days so you don’t miss out. It’s also much better for the environment to have limited vehicles in the park. Check out these suggested itineraries for visiting Denali depending on what season you’re there.

Pro Tips: Anchorage to Denali NP

Did you know that several ocean cruise lines also offer summer cruises [April to September] to Alaska that include land tours by train to Denali National Park? It’s the perfect way to visit this remote area without having to make all your own arrangements, plus let someone else do the driving! Generally, the itineraries over 10 days are the ones that include the Denali add-ons, but always check the itinerary list of “ports” or stops.

If you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that daily train and bus services from Anchorage and Fairbanks wrap up by mid-September. It’s about a four-hour drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, so be ready for potential icy or snowy conditions along the way if it’s later in the year. Even if the full road at the park is closed when you get there, don’t worry! There are plenty of activities to enjoy near the entrance.

Gettysburg Battlefield NMP – PA

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: October

Even if you’re not a huge fan of history, Gettysburg Battlefield National Historical Park is still one of the best national parks for fall colors. The good news is that it’s free to drive and walk around the park during daylight hours! You’ll find 33 miles [53 KM] of trails and walkways throughout the battlefield. These are my recommendations for things to see and do at Gettysburg, and the town nearby. It’s packed with fun as well. This may not be the first national park that comes to mind for a fall visit, but this area also hosts tons of haunted ghost tours, a National Apple Harvest Festival, and other leaf-peeping spots in autumn.

Gettysburg Battlefield Leaf-Peeping Viewpoints

There are several observation towers on the battlefield. The three steel ones were built between 1895 and 1896. These towers offer a gorgeous bird’s eye view of the battlefield and fall foliage.

Last year I also had the chance to climb up to the observation deck in the Pennsylvania Memorial. It was dedicated in 1910 and stands 110 feet tall! It’s the largest monument in the park. Many people don’t realize it, but you can climb the spiral staircase inside the northwest column of the monument to get a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain dripping with fall colors. It’s well worth a stop, especially in October.

• West Confederate Avenue Tower: 75 feet tall
• Culp’s Hill Tower: 60 feet tall
• Oak Ridge Tower: 23 feet tall
• Pennsylvania Memorial – 110 feet tall

Seminary Ridge and Confederate Avenue are gorgeous drives under a canopy of trees within the park too.

Pro Tips: Bonus Stop Near Gettysburg NHP

If you have a chance, take a drive outside of town to Sachs Covered Bridge where you can also see the historic red wooden bridge framed by lovely fall leaves. Here are more great tips on things to do for your fall visit to Gettysburg, PA.

Grand Canyon National Park – AZ

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Late Sep to Early October

If you’ve never visited Arizona, it might shock you to know that the state isn’t totally desert. In fact, more than half the state is covered in mountains and plateau areas. The largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the USA is in the 48th state too! If you’re hoping to do some leaf-peeping in Arizona you’ll definitely find gorgeous fall colors at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in late September and early October. Note: The South Rim has mostly evergreen trees, so you won’t see as much fall foliage there.

The image above is from one of our trips when we stayed in one of these cool historic cabins in late September. The fall leaves are striking against the stone and log buildings. Another favorite pastime for me is to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset in the rustic chairs on the veranda at Grand Canyon Lodge, then make a reservation for dinner overlooking the canyon in the lodge’s dining room.

The North Rim Scenic Road to Point Imperial is the perfect drive for seeing the brilliant gold of aspen trees. [NOTE: the road is narrow with blind curves — vehicles over 22 feet long are not permitted.] See more about Grand Canyon North Rim scenic drives, viewpoints, and services here.

If you’re hoping to immerse yourself in fall foliage check out the non-profit organization, Grand Canyon Conservancy. Sometimes they offer multi-day tours in September and October to hike and explore the North Rim in peak leaf season.

Pro Tip: Grand Canyon North Rim

Be sure to check the updates and calendars on the Grand Canyon NP website for possible closures. The North Rim is closed for more than half the year because of snow. Generally, the closure of the Visitor Center and other services is from October 15th to May 15th, but the dates can change unexpectedly due to early and late snowfall.

Here are some other fun activities that aren’t far from the Grand Canyon.

Mount Ranier National Park – WA

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Late-Sep to Mid-Oct

If you live in the Pacific Northwest USA, you’ll find that Mount Ranier National Park in Washington is one of the best national parks for fall colors in the region. The majestic mountain is iconic in so many ways. It peaks at 14,410 feet [4,392 meters ] above sea level. It’s an active volcano and still has glaciers.

Your first stop at the park should always be at one of the more than a half dozen Visitor Centers [including ranger stations]. This is where you can find out from the park rangers where the best trails, scenic drives and roadside attractions are to see fall foliage when you’re there. Ask the rangers which of the many scenic byways are the best at the moment if you’re not up for a hike.

One popular hike is Bench and Snow Lakes in the Paradise area. It’s 2.6 miles [4.2 KM] round trip. You’ll get to see two crystal clear lakes, plus waterfalls and stunning views of fall color in the huckleberry and ash meadows. Note: Pets aren’t allowed on the trail.

In general, the huckleberry bushes start turning red in late September. Throughout the park the golden cottonwood and aspen trees, plus other foliage continues to change into mid-October. The most magical treat at Mount Ranier NP is that even when there aren’t trees changing color overhead, there’s a blanket of gold, orange and red along the trails and meadows.

Pro Tips: Mt. Ranier National Park

Did you know that personal-use berry picking is allowed within this National Park? Each person is allowed to pick up to two quarts of berries per day! That includes blackberries, huckleberries, salmonberries, and thimbleberries. Huckleberry season is August and September in the park. Mushroom harvesting is permitted too. Ask a ranger for details.

If you have time check out the historic Paradise or National Park Inns in the area too. Both of the inns were built in the early 1900s in the traditional style of national park lodges. The Paradise Inn is usually open from mid-May to the end of September. And if you can’t stay overnight, consider enjoying a meal there in the rustic dining rooms.

New River Gorge National Park – WV

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Mid-Oct to Early-Nov

Have you ever visited West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park in autumn? You’ll find it to be one of the best national parks for fall color. It contains over 150 different species of trees, so you can imagine what a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colors it is that time of year. The cool thing is that with the wide range of elevations, if leaves aren’t at their peak in the lower areas, just make your way to higher elevations and see how they look there.

New River Gorge NP Top Spots for Fall Colors:

1. Grandview Area: This area usually sees the first color of the season, because it sits at the highest point in the park.
2. Big Buck Trail: This is an easy hike of less than a mile in the Grandview area. It has a rich fall leaves color scheme because of the oak, hickory, and maple trees that blanket the area.
3. Burnwood Trail: On the plateau, this old-growth forest trail deserves special attention. Because logging was so prevalent in West Virginia, this is one of the few remaining places that feature trees dating back to the 1600s.
4. Glade Creek Trail: As the name implies, this trail meanders near Glade Creek and through a deep canyon. It’s 5 miles long and part of its beauty is the reflection of fall foliage of oak, birch, and poplar trees in the clear water.
5. I-64 Bridge: The view from the bridge on I-64 above Glade Creek shows off the mountains on both sides, blanketed with every color of the fall foliage rainbow.
6. Sandstone Falls: The widest waterfall on the New River Gorge. Imagine the juxtaposition of fall colors against the rushing waterfall.
7. Endless Wall Trail: A popular hike for seeing fall leaves. It’s an easy-to-moderate 2.4-mile trail that zigzags along the cliff edge and crosses Fern Creek. Along with spectacular fall colors, you may see whitewater rafters 1000 feet below or rock climbers on the sandstone cliffs.
8. Long Point Trail: Is 1.6 miles one-way and is open to hikers and bikes. Mountain bikes are permitted except on the last 0.2 miles of the trail. There’s a bike rack where bikes aren’t allowed, so bring your lock if you want to hike the rest of the way. The trail is moderate difficulty, but the first 1/4 mile of the Long Point Trail is accessible for wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges. An accessible boardwalk leads from the parking lot to a wildlife and nature viewing area.

Pro Tips: Bonus Fun Around New River Gorge

Bridge Day at New River Gorge NP is West Virginia’s largest one-day festival, celebrated on the third Saturday in October, commemorates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Glade Creek Gristmill at Babcock State Park: The state park is less than 15 miles from NRGNP. This fully functioning replica of a historic gristmill that once stood in the same location is still grinding corn meal today. The rustic wood structure nestled in the trees along Glade Creek is the perfect spot for fall foliage photography.

National Mall & Memorial Parks – DC

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Mid-Oct to Early- Nov

Did you know that the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington DC is run by the National Park Service? Well, it is and they do an excellent job of keeping it pristine and welcoming.

Washington DC is always one of my absolute favorite cities, and it’s one of the best national parks for fall colors. It’s also one of the best places to travel in October because kids around the country are back in school and the U.S. Congress isn’t in session the entire month. This means there’s not as much government business happening and frees up more hotel rooms and restaurant space for you.

The walkability of the National Mall area is much more pleasant in the cooler fall temperatures too. Here are some of my tips for places to go in Washington DC. And more tips from the DC tourism site for specific places to take gorgeous fall pictures and find the best fall foliage in the area.

Pro Tip: Hidden Gems – Washington DC Fall Tours

What could be a better place to find fall foliage on the National Mall than the grounds around the U.S. Capitol Building? Did you know that in May, June, September, and October you can book a specialty guided tour of the 58 acres surrounding the Capitol? The area is certified as an arboretum and has over 100 species of trees and plants. Dozens of the original trees, planted in the late 1800s are still standing today. Many of the other trees were gifts from states and countries to commemorate special occasions.

My daughter and I took the Capitol Grounds Tour a few years ago and it was so captivating. In addition to the intriguing history of the trees themselves, one of my favorite stops was the magical red brick Summerhouse. This unique hexagon-shaped structure has been a rest stop for weary travelers and a place to get a drink of water for visitors and their horses as far back as 1881. Check the Capitol Building website for tour dates, times, and meeting places. Find out more about the Capitol grounds trees here.

I also highly recommend touring the monuments and memorials at night any time of year! The way they’re lit up makes them even more magical and special. Sometimes there are free National Park ranger-led tours offered, depending on the season. If you can’t find those, check out these other fun tour options below.

Shenandoah National Park – VA

Best Time to Visit for Fall Foliage: Late-Sep thru Nov

Because of the huge expanse of the park, leaf season can range everywhere from late September all the way through November, depending on the weather. Check out this page on the NPS website or their social media accounts for weekly and daily updates on where to find the best fall colors in the park.

When you visit Shenandoah National Park you can travel through gorgeous fall foliage without ever leaving Skyline Drive. The 105 miles [169 KM] of scenic highway straddles the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering spectacular views with fall colors in the surrounding valley areas. There are four different entrances to the park, so you don’t even have to drive the full length if you don’t have enough time. In fact, in order to have time to get out of the car and explore, I recommend if you are going to drive the full length, you do it in at least two days.

There’s a good chance that you’ll see wildlife in Shenandoah National Park too. Black bears, deer, and we even saw a mountain lion when we were there a few years ago. It crossed the street too fast for me to get a good picture though. You can also find coyotes, fox, river otters, and even American mink.

Here are 20 cool things to do in the park all year long. You can also check out the Shenandoah NP webcams to see what the autumn colors look like before you go.

Pro Tips: Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah NP is one of the MOST popular parks for leaf-peeping, so the weekends will be especially busy in the fall months. If you can go on a weekday, it will be less crowded. Also, much of the lodging closes in early November, so October can be your last chance to stay in the park before they close for the winter.

National Park Leaf-Peeping List & Images

The National Park Service even has a dedicated web page for more information and tips about leaf-peeping and where to find autumn beauty and the best national parks to visit for fall foliage. And if you can’t get out to see them in person, check out their National Parks Fall Foliage Photo Gallery here.

More Pro Tips for Epic Things to Do in October

Check out my other post about the best places to travel in October and why it’s the best month for adventures! From the cozy charms of European cities, to the many spooky stops for family fun, October’s got it all. You’ll get insider tips on enjoying everything from pumpkin festivals to scenic road trips, plus discover why the perfect mix of pleasant weather and fewer crowds makes October the ultimate month for travel. Dive in and get inspired for your next journey!

Photo Credits

• Acadia National Park Autumn Leaves – Photo by Gary Runn on Unsplash
• Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall – Photo by Karthik Sreenivas on Unsplash
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Fall – Photo by me [Nancy Hann] all rights reserved
• Denali National Park in Fall – National Park Service image
• Gettysburg National Battlefiled – National Park Service image
• Grand Canyon North Rim Cabins – Photo by me [Nancy Hann] all rights reserved
• Mount Ranier trail with fall colors – Photo by NPS
• New River Gorge National Park Bridge in Autumn – Gary Hartley
• Shenandoah National Park Fall Scene – Photo by Becky Winner on Unsplash
• Jefferson Memorial in the Fall – Photo by Dez Hester @DezHester on Unsplash