Fall is almost here, which means the scenery of the world is about to get transformed into views of beautiful orange, red, and yellow colors. For many, this is the best time to travel as many destinations around the world emit natural beauty. While many places around the world experience a touch of magical colors during this season, there are destinations that present the best Fall foliage. For those seeking this scenery, these national parks are the best places to begin.
10 Great Smoky Mountain National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is known for many things from towering waterfalls to exciting hiking trails and some of the most beautiful fall colors in the world. The park’s extensive tree diversity and unique mountain landscape make it even more colorful. With the park featuring an abundance of trails, there will be lots of opportunities to see the beauty of fall firsthand. The best time to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park for fall colors is between mid-October and early November.
9 Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to visit all year round, as each season comes with its unique experiences. For the best natural scenery, however, Fall is the best time to visit. During this period, the trees carpeting the mountainous landscape of the park glow in orange and yellow colors. The scenery is best enjoyed with fewer crowds, and October also comes with this added advantage of seclusion.
8 Denali National Park, Alaska
Alaska is a unique place, and there might be other national parks to enjoy this uniqueness, but when it comes to Fall foliage, Denali National Park goes home with the price. Fall in Denali National Park is characterized by a landscape of beautiful red, orange, and yellow colors and the towering backdrops of mountains covered in clouds and snow. The best time to visit Alaska for fall foliage is between mid-September and early October, as the colors are at their peak during this time.
7 Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
One can hike in the park all year round, but during Fall, the stunning fall foliage, cool atmosphere, and fewer crowds make it more inspiring and unique. This makes this Fall one of the best times to visit the park. Whether one chooses to camp, hike the scenic trails, take an Aerial Tram ride, or take a scenic drive through the park, the mesmerizing fall colors will make the experience more scenic and unforgettable.
6 Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Autumn in Congaree National Park lasts from September through November, and during this time, the lush forest trails and the entire park will be carpeted with charming orange and yellow colors. While hiking is perhaps the best way to witness the scenery of this park, one can also take a kayak or canoe and explore the foliage from the scenic rivers.
5 Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The entire state of Virginia is a mecca for fall foliage lovers. But with Shenandoah National Park featuring some amazing fall scenery, one does not need to drive hundreds of miles across the state to witness the scenery. During October at Shenandoah National Park, the entire landscape, from the trees to the leaves, the trails, and the mountains get transformed into scenes of yellow and orange colors. With most of the trails carpeted with colorful falling leaves, it will feel like a royal welcome hiking through the trails. To witness some of the park’s best fall scenery, one can take a scenic drive or hike to a mountain summit.
4 Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Although not totally a national park, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best destinations to witness the magic of Fall. On this 469 miles parkway, travelers will witness colors so beautiful that they look like delicious food that should be munched on without any waste of time. Just driving down the road is a great way to see the scenery but to get a more intimate exploration of this magic, one has to stop and hike the trail to a viewpoint or a waterfall. Just sitting on one spot looking at the mesmerizing scenery is one unique experience to have at least once in a lifetime.
3 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Besides the impressive waterfalls and adventurous hiking trails, the charming fall foliage is one more interesting reason one should include this park on a bucket list. During October, the trails radiate in stunning fall colors, and some of the best ways to witness the scenery are by hiking, biking, or taking the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic train ride.
2 Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park does not just come with yellow and orange colors during Autumn but also comes with pink and red colors. This makes it a unique place to witness the charms of Fall. With scenic rivers and towering hills and mountains surrounding the colorful leaves, the park’s fall colors are even more scenic and Instagram-worthy.
1 Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is not all about Glaciers. It is also about a wide variety of trees that produce colorful colors during Fall. Here, it feels like the trees are being torched with fire during autumn as the trees emit yellow and orange colors accompanied by some greenery. A walk through the trails or a ride through the park’s paved path during this period will have one taking in views of colorful trees surrounding scenic rivers, lakes, and waterfalls with backdrops of towering mountains.