Summer lake getaways and camping weather might be behind us, but fall is arguably the best time to get out into nature no matter where you might be in the U.S. While some states are known for their fall foliage and offer fabulous hiking trails and easy to access views, there are many places that will take your breath away with the reds and yellows the great outdoors only offers in October and November. Remember to look up what to wear and weather conditions before heading to any hiking trail and leave no trace in our parks!
1. Groton State Forest, Vermont
Perhaps one of the most obvious autumn destinations, many head to Vermont’s Green Mountains for apple orchards and leaf peeping, but Groton State Forest is a little lesser known and offers breathtaking views (see image above). A moderate trail up to Owl’s Head Lookout makes for a great day hike.
2. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Head south for the fall to the Great Smoky Mountains where the changing of the seasons is on full display. You can drive or walk to some of the most popular places for fall foliage viewing, including Mount Cammerer, or opt for a strenuous and rewarding hike, such as at the Rich Mountain Loop.
3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
A top destination for outdoor enthusiasts year-round, Wyoming’s Teton mountain range is spectacularly colorful in autumn thanks to its many Aspen and Cottonwood trees. Take an easy hike around Emma Matilda Lake for picturesque views of the Teton range and the changing trees. Keep an eye out for elk as they’re active in the fall season!
4. Glacier National Park, Montana
The wildly beautiful Glacier National Park is not nearly as packed in the fall as the summer, but its abundant forests, meadows, and snowcapped mountains are glistening gold in this gorgeous season. There aren’t many places in the park where you won’t get jaw-dropping views of mother nature and various wildlife, but a unique experience you won’t want to miss is taking a boat out onto an alpine lake right under the Teton Mountain peaks.
5. Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho
You won’t regret making a trip to one of the most underrated natural landscapes in the country—the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. Through the fall season any hike in the Sawtooth range will be awash in color from the Aspen trees, but an accessible and particularly fun area is Fishhook Creek, where fishing, camping, and free access to natural hot springs are available—a rare treat not only in the U.S., but the world!
6. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah is packed with vast forests, waterfalls, mountain views, and wildlife, and there’s perhaps no better time to see it than the fall. Hiking is one of the most immersive ways to find astonishing views such as those from Hawksbill Mountain, but you can also enjoy plenty of other, less strenuous ways to check out the scenery. You can take a ride along Skyline Drive, which crosses 105 miles of the park, or have a meal on Skyland’s outdoor patio. You could also explore the land on horseback or paddle to one of the many cascades stuffed among trees brimming with your classic red and gold foliage.
