15 Best Places to See Fall Colors in the US
What Are the Best Places to See Fall Colors in the US?
The best places to see fall colors in the US include Stowe, Vermont, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Aspen, Colorado, the Tunnel of Trees in Michigan, and Denali National Park in Alaska.
New England states, particularly Vermont and Massachusetts, consistently deliver the most dramatic reds and oranges, while the Mountain West offers brilliant golden aspens. For the widest variety of color across a single trip, the 15 destinations below cover every region and every shade of the fall rainbow.
Autumn is quickly approaching, which means one thing to many travelers: leaf peeping season. In many regions of the U.S., landscapes will soon be full of beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage. If you want to experience every bit of the United States’ fall rainbow, you’ll want to visit these 15 best places to see fall colors in the US. Put them on your bucket list as soon as you can.
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Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the US
1. Stowe, Vermont
Some of the best views you’ll see all season can be found in Stowe, Vermont. Seventy-one percent of Vermont’s forests are covered in maple, beech, and birch. It should be a must-see on the list of any fall photographer. Stowe is even called Fall’s Color Capital due to the complexity and depth of fall colors you’ll see when you visit.
The area has so much to do for every visitor, young or old. If you have a few adventurous people in your group, you can go mountain biking or take guided tours, which can give you natural history or old ghost stories to chill your bones.
2. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
This river canyon is over 80 miles long, providing plenty of opportunities to see every color fall provides. The scenic area has several waterfalls, all of which look ethereal against the contrast of the bright fall colors.
You can even purchase a permit to hike up Dog Mountain, enabling you to see more breathtaking views during your visit.
3. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is home to many attractions. It features the Tennessee River and is part of the Appalachian Mountains, which provide many views on their own. You can follow trails to reach the most incredible sights.
While the leaves are the main attraction in fall, you can also keep an eye out for flowers that bloom in autumn months, such as sunflowers, roses and honeysuckle.
You can also take a riverboat cruise through Chattanooga to see even more of the fascinating colors you traveled for.
4. Eastern Shore, Maryland
Maryland’s Eastern Shore features gorgeous views for local residents and visitors. When you aren’t looking at the leaves, you can learn about the area’s history by visiting one of the many museums along the shore.
As beautiful as the fall scenery is, it’s just one of the many attractions that can bring you to this part of Maryland.
5. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the states known for the gorgeous colors erupting from its trees during fall. Cape Cod is a popular vacation destination, well known for cooler summer temperatures, but it’s equally memorable in the fall. We love that there are so many fun things to do in Cape Cod with kids!
You could take several routes to see the leaves change in Cape Cod, such as Route 6A or the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Walking can be therapeutic and doing so through the changing Massachusetts leaves will make you feel like you’ve entered another world.
6. Garner State Park, Texas
This Texas state park is best known for the Frio River, which runs through the park’s many trees. It has several beautiful views, which makes this state park one of the best places to see fall colors in Texas.
Once you’re finished looking at the foliage, you can enjoy the 11 miles’ worth of fun things to do with anyone in your group, such as hiking or mini-golf.
7. Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas
If you want a larger area to take in with plenty of activities, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is the perfect destination. With over one million acres of scenery, you’ll love visiting in October when most of the leaves have already turned or are changing.
You can take a walk through the protected land and photograph the surroundings to make lasting memories.
8. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Fall in Cheyenne, Wyoming, typically gives life to fresh golden colors more than reds. You’ll see red and orange trees in the more populated areas of the city, but the more rural regions feature aspens and cottonwoods, which create a sea of gold.
Take time to enjoy everything Cheyenne has to offer as you admire the city’s rich palette of fall colors.
9. The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through many parts of Virginia and North Carolina. It’s often closed to visitors in the winter due to inclement weather, but it’s a quintessential part of leaf-viewing if you live in that part of the East Coast.
Some weeks in October result in over two million visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you may find plenty of traffic and few spots to stop along the road.
If you want to beat the massive number of visitors, consider setting out as early as possible in the day or choosing an off-weekend. You can still enjoy the leaves after their peak until they start to fall in preparation for winter.
10. Catskill Mountains, New York
The Catskill Mountains in south eastern New York feature many fun opportunities for you and your loved ones. These mountains offer an amazing opportunity to see layers upon layers of color, which will delight any younger members of your family.
If you want to experience more of the beautiful fall season in the Catskills, consider staying overnight in a vacation rental or hotel.
11. Denali National Park, Alaska
Even Alaska gets fine views of the fall foliage, though it might be much colder there than in other states. Denali National Park features a great way to see the leaves without having to worry about driving yourself.
Its buses will take you deep into the park and teach you about nature and history, depending on which tour you take.
12. Tunnel of Trees, Michigan
The Tunnel of Trees is a 20-mile drive through the most scenic parts of the M-119 highway. This route is an attraction simply because of how fiery and brilliant the trees look as you drive through them — like a pathway to another world.
If you’re traveling through the Midwest in the fall, you can stop at the local towns to stretch your legs and look around. They’ll have plenty of fun things for you to take part in throughout the fall season.
13. Aspen, Colorado
The famed trees of Aspen, Colorado, may not explode into reds and oranges, but they do take on a brilliant saffron hue. Aspen has an endless amount of these beautiful trees, making the city one of the best places to see fall color in Colorado.
Many people head here to ski, but there’s plenty of time to enjoy the magnificent golden colors of the aspen trees before people flock to the area for winter.
14. Skyline Drive, Virginia
Skyline Drive runs over 100 miles through Shenandoah National Park. The best part of this area is that it’s open 24 hours a day. This means you can visit to see the leaves glowing during the day or glistening under the moon at night.
The explosion of colors is great to camp under at one of the Skyline Drive campsites. You can make a day of it and drive the entire length in around three hours without pausing or stopping.
15. The Poconos, Pennsylvania
If you enjoy traveling through winding trails and getting lost in autumn colors, the Pocono Mountains should be a must-see. The sights can relax you and the paths may feel a bit more laid-back than many other fall attractions in different areas of the U.S.
Consider a leisurely drive through the Poconos during September and October when you want to prioritize relaxation above all. We love that the East Coast has a variety of options when it comes to the best places to see fall colors.
Best Time to See Fall Colors in the US by Region
Timing is everything for leaf peeping. Peak color shifts week by week as you move south and to lower elevations, so knowing your region’s window is the difference between a dazzling trip and bare branches.
New England (Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine): Color typically peaks from late September through mid-October, with the northern reaches of Vermont and Maine turning first. Stowe and the Catskills often hit their most dramatic reds and oranges in the first two weeks of October.
Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia): Expect peak color from mid-October through early November. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are usually at their best in mid-to-late October, though some weeks draw more than two million visitors, so plan early mornings or off-weekends to get ahead of the crowds.
Southeast (Tennessee, Arkansas): The Appalachians around Chattanooga and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest typically peak in late October through early November, slightly behind the northeast.
Midwest and Mountain West (Michigan, Colorado, Wyoming): Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees and Colorado’s Aspen groves are usually brilliant by late September and early October. Wyoming’s aspens and cottonwoods in Cheyenne follow a similar window.
Alaska: Denali National Park sees color earlier than any of these, often mid-August through September, because summer ends sooner that far north.
A good rule of thumb: check the free interactive foliage maps updated weekly each fall by the US Forest Service and major foliage trackers to see exactly where color is peaking in real time before you drive.
| Region | Top Destinations | Peak Window |
|---|---|---|
| New England | Stowe VT, Cape Cod MA | Late September to mid-October |
| Mid-Atlantic | Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive VA, Catskills NY, Poconos PA, Eastern Shore MD | Mid-October to early November |
| Southeast | Chattanooga TN, Ozark-St. Francis National Forest AR | Late October to early November |
| Mountain West | Aspen CO, Cheyenne WY | Late September to early October |
| Midwest | Tunnel of Trees MI | Late September to early October |
| Texas | Garner State Park TX | Late October to November |
| Alaska | Denali National Park AK | Mid-August to September |
Vermont vs. Maine: Which Is Better for Fall Foliage?
Both states are world-class for fall color, and the honest answer is that the right choice depends on what kind of trip you want.
Vermont tends to win on sheer density and variety of color. Places like Stowe deliver layered reds, oranges, and golds across a compact, easily driveable area. The state’s covered bridges and village greens make the whole scene feel like a postcard come to life. If you want a classic, curated leaf-peeping experience with great dining and lodging close by, Vermont is hard to beat.
Maine offers a wilder, more expansive version of the same show. Acadia National Park and the western lakes region give you dramatic coastal scenery alongside the foliage, which Vermont can’t match. If you want fewer crowds and a more rugged, outdoorsy feel, Maine rewards the extra drive.
For families, Vermont’s more compact geography means less time in the car between sights. For adventurers who want to hike into the color rather than drive past it, Maine’s Acadia is a compelling argument.
Both states typically peak in early-to-mid October, so you don’t have to choose between timing windows, just the kind of experience you’re after.
Key Takeaways
- New England peaks late September through mid-October.
- Stowe, Vermont: top pick for density and variety of color.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: arrive early or go off-weekend to avoid crowds.
- Aspen, Colorado: brilliant golden aspens peak late September.
- Denali, Alaska: color starts as early as mid-August.
- Ozark-St. Francis National Forest: over one million acres of fall scenery.
- Maine vs. Vermont: coastal wild (Maine) vs. compact classic (Vermont).
Which US states have the best fall foliage?
Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and New York consistently rank as the top states for fall foliage, thanks to their dense mix of maple, birch, and oak trees that produce vivid reds, oranges, and yellows.
Outside New England, Colorado (for its golden aspens), Michigan, and Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley are standout picks. Nearly every region of the US has something to offer, but the Northeast delivers the highest concentration of color in the shortest driving distance.
What is the best place to see fall colors in New England?
Stowe, Vermont, is widely considered the top spot in New England for fall color, known for the depth and complexity of its reds, oranges, and golds.
Other top New England picks include Cape Cod in Massachusetts, which offers scenic driving routes like Route 6A through changing leaves, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The entire region is worth a road trip in October.
Can you see fall colors in the South or Southwest?
Yes. Chattanooga, Tennessee, sits in the Appalachian Mountains and offers solid fall color along river and mountain trails. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas covers over one million acres and peaks in late October. Garner State Park in Texas offers fall foliage along the Frio River. The South’s season runs slightly later than New England, often peaking in late October through early November.
How do I beat the crowds at the Blue Ridge Parkway in fall?
Set out as early as possible in the day or pick an off-weekend rather than a peak Saturday. Some weeks in October see more than two million visitors on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which can mean heavy traffic and limited pull-off spots. You can also extend your visit slightly past peak color: the leaves are still beautiful after peak and the crowds thin noticeably once the brightest color begins to drop.
What is the best fall foliage road trip in the US?
The Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia and North Carolina) and Skyline Drive (Virginia) together make one of the country’s great fall road trips, running more than 100 miles through peak Appalachian color. In the Midwest, Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees, a 20-mile stretch of M-119, is a shorter but stunning drive. For the Mountain West, a loop through Aspen and Cheyenne in late September captures golden aspens and cottonwoods at their peak.
About the author: Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of the women’s lifestyle magazine Revivalist. She has a passion for adventure and living life to the fullest, especially with her family by her side. She wrote the original article which has since been updated by Kirsten Maxwell.
