National Parks in Fall
The Best Parks for Fall Foliage
Originally Written by Jen Curnutt for Gear.com
Many of us started feeling the summertime blues as soon as the season began to wind down. But, no sooner had we started to say our goodbyes did the magic of fall greet us with all its glory. For with the vibrance of the changing season comes cozy sweater weather, pumpkin spiced lattes, apple cider, corn mazes, hay rides, and the stunning shades of the fall foliage as the leaves turn putting on their annual show. The greens of warmer temperatures come to life as they fade into shades of crimson reds, bright burnt orange and golden yellows - the perfect time to get outdoors. So, spend some time exploring some of my favorite parks listed below as they come alive in vibrant autumnal colors.
But you better get there quick before you miss the show!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is colloquially referred to as one of the top fall destinations in the country. Enjoy the salty coastal air while witnessing the gorgeous colors of autumn. Spend the day kayaking, bird watching and hiking as the leaves put on their annual show which begins at the higher elevations in late September, peaking in October. Be sure to visit its nearby harbors, charming seaside coves and quaint little towns like Bar Harbor full of restaurants and shops.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park’s pristine landscape turns into an endless expanse of yellow aspen over mountainous terrain in the fall creating postcard views you won’t want to miss. The peak time for the changing colors is usually in late September and October when the crisp air blows the aspen leaves like streams of glitter in the sun against its cerulean blue skies.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains come alive with color in the fall as sugar maple and scarlet oak turn shades of deep red against the golden backdrop of the hickory trees. The peak foliage season hits between mid-October and early November. Some of the best places to view the spectacular show are Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Foothills Parkway.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Experience a longer than usual leaf-peeping season at Shenandoah National Park which typically encompasses all of September and October, into mid-November. The vibrant colors come to life as warm summer days are followed by cool, crisp nights. The park is nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains known for its natural beauty, Civil War history and Skyline Drive which winds 105 miles along the crest of its peaks.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
If you are looking for stunning fall foliage and breathtaking views, set your sights on Grand Teton National Park where aspens, cottonwoods and willows turn burnt orange and golden yellow against a backdrop of snow-covered jagged peaks. Local climate and rainfall determine when leaves change color but historically, the best time to witness the stunning seasonal change is late September through October.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Fall is the perfect time of year to visit Glacier National Park as the heat and crowds that plague the park in summer begin to dissipate. Watch the park come alive in a symphony of colors, first in late September/early October with the transition of the cottonwoods and aspen into golden hues of yellow, followed by the deciduous western larch changing color in October. The colors paint a dramatic landscape against the park’s endless glacier carved valleys and jagged mountain peaks, rivers and streams.
