12 Beautiful Destinations for Fall Foliage in the U.S. That Put Your Screensaver to Shame

For leaf-peeping fans, you know that experiencing the best of fall foliage requires early preparation. This includes checking out destinations and picking one (or several ) early enough, as fall foliage is usually short-lived. To avoid missing out or ending up with not-so-great experiences, it’s important to plan ahead and choose the right destination. Remember, the key is to be there when the fall colors are at their peak.

No, there is no need to worry, as we show you where exactly to have the best fall foliage viewing experiences in the United States. Your work would just be to plan to be there when the fall colors are at their best. Whether hiking, driving, or finding views from viewpoints, you will love the leaf-peeping experience these 12 U.S. destinations offer.

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Located primarily on Mount Desert Island along the Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park offers one of the best fall foliage viewing opportunities in the United States. This national park is known for its beautiful rugged coastline views, lakes, and dense forests, which transform into a more stunning site in the fall. The dense forests transform into beautiful shades of green, yellow, and red.

While the forest’s fall foliage is breathtaking, the vibrant colors contrast with the deep blue ocean, making them pop out even more. It is truly a magnificent site.

The autumnal hues at Acadia National Park reflect beautifully in the park’s lakes and ponds, creating a serene atmosphere that is perfect for relaxation. The reflection of the foliage on Echo Lake is a spot photographers would love.

To get the best out of the fall foliage, you can hike the park’s numerous trails, like The Beehive Loop and the Jordan Pond Path; drive the scenic Park Loop Road, which takes you past many of the park’s viewpoints; explore the coastline and beaches; or take a scenic boat tour to view the foliage from the water.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains offer some of New England’s most stunning fall foliage. In autumn, the dense forests are transformed into vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows, contrasting beautifully with the mountainous backdrop. The scenery is particularly striking along the ridges and valleys.

For your exploration, you can go hiking, ziplining, driving scenic routes, or taking the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway, all of which are great ways to see the park’s fall foliage.

If you enjoy scenic drives, do not miss out on Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), a 34.5-mile scenic byway that cuts through the heart of the mountains. It lets you see the foliage from different perspectives, all from the comfort of your car. For hikers, your best bet is Artist’s Bluff Trail and Mount Willard Trail, both of which offer breathtaking views.

The Catskills, New York

Located about two hours away from New York City, the Catskills are known for their lush forests, beautiful rivers, and numerous outdoor exploration opportunities. In fall, the Catskills explode with vibrant colors, with the forests turning brilliant shades of red and yellow. The park’s dense woods and mountain views are stunning, combined with the region’s rivers, lakes, and small towns, creating postcard-worthy landscapes.

For the best fall foliage views, drive along scenic routes like Route 28, summit Overlook Mountain, hike trails like Overlook Mountain or Giant Ledge, or go up the Mount Tremper Forest Fire Tower, a hike that offers amazing 360-degree views of the Catskills autumn beauty.

If you prefer to sightsee as you relax, take a scenic ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad.

Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

The Green Mountain National Forest, covering over 160,000 hectares (400,000 acres) of Vermont, is another amazing place to have the coveted New England fall experience. The area comprises pristine wilderness, charming small towns, and scenic byways, all waiting to be explored.

The fall foliage in the Green Mountains is among the best New England has to offer. The forest becomes a vibrant sea of reds and yellows, with colorful trees covering the mountains, valleys, and farmlands. The contrast between the high mountain peaks and valleys creates incredible leaf-peeping opportunities.

For the best leaf-peeping opportunities, hit the Long Trail, drive Route 100, or take the Mount Equinox Skyline drive to the summit of Mount Equinox.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Destinations to Experience the Magic of Fall Foliage Tennessee and North Carolina state line — © Sean Board / Adobe Stock

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, lying on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., and for a good reason. The Great Smoky Mountains transform into a breathtaking landscape of vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges in the fall. The park’s diversity of tree species creates a stunning mix of fall foliage that is rich and varied.

The mountains appear to “smoke” due to the natural fog that often hovers over the ridges, enhancing the beauty of the autumn colors. For your exploration, drive along the Newfound Gap Road or the Cades Cove Loop, which offers fantastic foliage views. Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Smokies, offers 360-degree views of the mountains and fall colors. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also fantastic for panoramic views. If you prefer to sweat it out, you can hike trails like Alum Cave Trail or Andrews Bald, which are great for up-close views of the colorful fall trees.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, running about 105 miles from north to south. The park is just 75 miles west of Washington, D.C., and is a natural retreat famous for its scenic Skyline Drive. The park is also famous for how much alive it becomes in the fall. Visiting it will give you amazing views of vivid reds, oranges, and yellows covering the mountains, valleys, and forests.

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Skyline Drive, the park’s main thoroughfare, is popular for its 75 scenic overlooks offering panoramic views of the foliage. If you are into adventure interlaced with picture-perfect scenery, you can also hike the Bearfence Mountain Trail or Stony Man Trail, which offers amazing up-close views.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Things to Do in Oregon, Enjoy Waterfall Views Multnomah Falls — © Nicholas Steven / Adobe Stock

The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon on the Columbia River located on the border of Oregon and Washington. The gorge, stretching for over 80 miles, is known for its dramatic cliffs, scenic views, and beautiful waterfalls. The vegetation surrounding the gorge bursts into beautiful fall foliage, adding more charm to the region’s beauty.

The stars of this gorge’s show are definitely its scenic waterfalls, such as Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, and Horsetail Falls. The foliage surrounding these falls is stunning. Numerous hiking trails, like Eagle Creek Trail and Dog Mountain, provide excellent views of the gorge and fall foliage. Driving along the Historic Columbia River Highway offers a scenic experience with multiple viewpoints.

Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

If you would like a destination to endlessly enjoy fall foliage views, head out to Ozark National Forest, which covers over 485622 hectares (1.2 million acres ) of northern Arkansas. Fall in this forest comes with brilliant reds, oranges, and yellow foliage, all adding to the forest’s already beautiful scenery.

There is so much you can see and do in this expansive forest. If you prefer active exploration, hit the Whitaker Point Trail (also known as Hawksbill Crag) and the Ozark Highlands Trail, which offer stunning views of the fall foliage.

Scenic drives like the Pig Trail Scenic Byway and Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 are also popular for leaf-peeping. These scenic drives are perfect for anyone who prefers to soak in the beauty of the foliage in a more relaxed way. Luckily, they come with several viewpoints that you can stop on for a break or just to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the forest. Alternatively, you can take a canoe or kayak trip on the Mulberry River for unique leaf-peeping perspectives.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the must-visit destinations in Washington State, and the best time to visit is in the fall. The park is centered around the snow-capped Mountain Rainier, which is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. The park encompasses over 368,000 acres of alpine meadows, old-growth forests, and glaciers, all of which transform into a contrasting array of colors in colors.

While the foliage is stunning, the backdrop of Mount Rainier, often dusted with early snow, adds a dramatic contrast, making for a picturesque fall landscape. Luckily, Mount Rainier National Park is an outdoor lover’s paradise, whether you are into active exploration or relaxation as you connect with nature. On your visit, you can explore several trails offering spectacular views of fall foliage, including the Paradise Area, which provides access to the Skyline Trail and Nisqually Vista Trail. The Sunrise Area also offers excellent hiking and panoramic views of the foliage. The park’s scenic drives, like the Paradise Valley Road, provide additional opportunities to experience the autumn colors. Don’t miss out on Tipsoo Lake, a picturesque alpine lake surrounded by colorful fall meadows and framed by Mount Rainier.

Lake Placid, New York

Lake Placid, a village in the Adirondack Mountains, is another of the best places in the United States to see fall foliage. If you would like to experience the beauty and charm of fall without having to worry about the rushed state of everyday life, Lake Placid would be a perfect destination for you.

Despite its small village charm, Lake Placid has plenty of things to see and do. You will especially like how the village transforms into a vibrant mosaic of reds, oranges, and yellows in the fall. The surrounding Adirondack Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop, as well as the colorful foliage reflected in the pristine lakes. Some of the best places to see the vibrant leaves include Lake Placid Scenic Byway, a picturesque drive with multiple scenic overlooks. You can also hike Mount Jo, a relatively short hike with breathtaking views of Lake Placid and the surrounding fall foliage.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic highway stretching 470 miles, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. If you love road trips, the sweeping mountain views and the forests along this highway are one you will like. Even better, in fall, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for offering breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains draped in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.

Driving the entire length of the parkway and stopping at scenic overlooks is the best way to take in the fall colors. To take some time off the main route, you can also hike trails like Crabtree Falls Trail and Humpback Rocks Trail. Some of the best viewing spots include Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Peaks of Otter.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in northeastern Ohio, between the cities of Akron and Cleveland. It is made up of over 13,000 hectares (33,000 acres) of rolling hills, forests, and river valleys, all of which collectively transform into a vibrant canvas of autumn colors.

During your visit, you can enjoy numerous hiking trails, such as the Brandywine Gorge Trail, which leads to the picturesque Brandywine Falls. If you would like more hiking adventures, hit the Ledges Trail, which offers stunning views of the fall foliage from rock outcrops. You can also take scenic drives like the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which provide unique opportunities to experience the autumn landscape in a relaxed setting.