12 Fall Foliage Destinations So Beautiful, Even Van Gogh Would Be Impressed
Fall has arrived, meaning cozy sweater weather and bright, beautiful autumn colors are just around the corner. Even though I’ve graduated from jumping out of leaf piles, going for a drive or hike amidst the gorgeous bright, bold colors never gets old.
If you are looking for the best places to see fall foliage in all of its amazing glory, you are in the right place. No doubt, the color of the leaves are beautiful even in your hometown park, but some places really showcase them. I couldn’t possibly list them all, but here are the 12 best places to visit for fall foliage in the US you just have to detour to see for yourself.
1. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont, is a small New England town nestled at the foot of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest point. Though the town may be small, the natural beauty surrounding it is most definitely not.
The foliage is at its peak from mid-September through mid-October. Hike and bike down trails of varying levels of difficulty or drive down the Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road.
2. Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is located in the Berkshires, a popular leaf-peeping location with foggy mornings and green fields. Fall foliage is at its peak here in mid-October, but the leaves begin to change in late September and continue through late October.
Walk around the Norman Rockwell Museum, which includes 36 acres of walking paths and gardens. Other hiking trails surround the Stockbridge Bowl, also known as Lake Mahkeenac, a great place for outdoor adventures both on and off the water.
3. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge in Oregon is an 80-mile-long river canyon with depths reaching 4,000 feet. Its nearly 100 waterfalls are always spectacular, but they are even more amazing when surrounded by the fiery colors of fall.
You can see the colors from September until early November, but the peak viewing time is late September to mid-October. You can hike, bike, and camp your way all over the Gorge. Just make sure not to miss the famous Multnomah Falls.
4. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas
The Ozark National Forest has more than 1.2 million acres of fall foliage to explore. The forest is beautiful any time of year, but in the fall, deep reds, bright oranges, and golden yellow tones complement the varying shades of green.
If you want to have some fall fun by foot, hike the Ozark Highlands Trail or the Whitaker Point Trail. By car, head down Arkansas Scenic Byway 7. The leaves here peak in late October or early November, but you can start enjoying them at the end of September.
5. Finger Lakes, New York
The Finger Lakes region of New York is a beautiful place to spend a weekend. Here, you will find 11 glacial lakes with sparkling clear water. Get your hiking and camping in before the snow takes over.
If being outdoors isn’t your preferred way to explore this beautiful region, hop in for a scenic drive around the lakes. This area has farmer’s markets, restaurants and cafes, and more than 100 wineries to taste test.
6. Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia
Amicalola Falls State Park is just a 90-minute drive outside of Atlanta and is home to Georgia’s tallest waterfall at 729 feet high. The visitors center at the park is the unofficial starting point of the Appalachian Trail hike. Multiple trails inside the park allow visitors to see both the waterfalls and the brightly colored foliage.
The foliage here reaches its colorful peak in late October or early November but begins to change in late September. After visiting the park, make a stop in Dahlonega or Helen. There, you can pan for gold, shop, grab a bite to eat, or visit a winery.
7. Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan, is a popular place for fall foliage tourism, thanks to its many vineyards, villages, forests, and orchards that really shine once the fall colors start to pop. You can find something to do that everyone will love, like hiking, harvesting, wine tasting, or simply driving through the area on scenic highways.
The leaves here can start to change as early as early September, but the peak color is usually in the middle of October.
8. McKenzie Pass, Oregon
If you find yourself in Oregon during the fall months, you must take a trip to McKenzie Pass, Oregon, for a drive down the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Scenic Byway. This 82-mile loop has some of the most amazing fall foliage you have seen, but that is far from all you will see here.
The loop can be driven in just a couple of hours, but you should set aside the better part of a day to really take your time. Stop for short hikes to see waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, lava fields, and snow-capped volcanoes. The leaves start to change color in mid-September and are usually at their peak in mid-October.
Note that the pass is closed from November until June each year.
9. Taos, New Mexico
New Mexico is probably not the first place you think of to go see beautiful fall foliage, but maybe it should be! While you won’t find the bright, bold reds that you may be used to seeing at other leaf viewing locales, you will find some gorgeous golden yellows and amazing auburn colors.
Fall is the perfect time to visit Taos, New Mexico. The colors are at their peak in mid-October, with the first snowfall as early as the beginning of November. Take a scenic drive to see the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. You can also take in the views from above by taking a hot air balloon ride.
10. Calistoga, California
When you think of Calistoga, California, you probably think about wineries, but they also have some beautiful fall foliage. Fall is the perfect time to visit the more than 50 wineries and take in the spectacular fall colors.
The leaves you will find here range from golden yellows to bright, bold oranges and nearly purple reds. They are all a gorgeous contrast to the greenery in the vineyards. The leaves in Calistoga begin to turn in late September with the peak colors in November.
11. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Just over an hour outside Washington, DC, you will find Shenandoah National Park stretching out along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Skyline Drive is the park’s main road, and it comes alive in the fall with amazing reds, oranges, yellows, and golds everywhere you look.
Following Skyline Drive will take you past more than 70 different overlooks where you can stop for pictures and scenic views. You can camp, hike, and backpack your way through the park. The leaves begin to get their autumn hue in mid-September and peak around the third week of October.
12. Plum Orchard Lake, West Virginia
Plum Orchard Lake in West Virginia is a Wildlife Management area with a crystal clear lake surrounded by green forests. But in autumn, that all changes to the most gorgeous fall leaves you will have ever seen. Reds, oranges, and gold make it look as though the trees are on fire.
The crystal-clear waters provide some of the best fishing in West Virginia and reflects the autumn colors like a mirror. The leaves begin to change in late September with their peak colors happening in the middle of October.
Allison Manning
Allison Manning is the creative mind behind Simply Stunning Content. With more than 20 years of writing experience under her belt, she is a master of creating captivating content that connects with audiences of all types. When she’s not working on new content you can find her cooking, reading, or listening to a very eclectic library of music.
When she’s not working, she prioritizes her family above everything else. Whether it’s spending quality time with her loving husband, three amazing kids, or her faithful dog, family is where she finds her joy and inspiration. She strives to make every piece of content she creates simply stunning.
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