Love Fall Foliage? 7 Spots to Visit This Year
Get ready to leaf-peep like nobody’s business.
For some people, the ideal vacation involves relaxing on a beach. But if you're into nature and love gorgeous scenery, a leaf-peeping trip during the fall could be the ideal trip for you.
Fall foliage generally peaks between the middle of September through late October, but in some places, it hits its prime earlier or later. Here are a few amazing spots worth checking out.
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards
1. Aspen, Colorado
Though it's known as a ski town, there's plenty of incredible scenery to be witnessed if you visit Aspen in the fall. Foliage in Aspen generally peaks in mid to late September, so get in there before the leaves hit the ground and the skiers start rushing in to hit the slopes.
2. The Adirondacks, New York
Northeastern New York's Adirondack Mountains offer unbelievable views and hiking trails galore. The prime time to go is mid- to late-October, when you'll see vibrant splashes of color pretty much everywhere you look. Lodging in the area is fairly cheap, even during prime foliage season. If you're up for it, you can also just bust out your tent and camp to save some money on your travels.
3. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
About two hours from Boston, The Berkshires are another must-visit spot if you're into fall foliage. Tourism in the area tends to peak during summertime, but if you travel in October, when foliage is at its prime, you might get some trails all to yourself. Head out during the midpoint of the month to maximize your chances of seeing great colors, but pack a sweatshirt -- it can get chilly.
4. The Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee
There's a reason this national park gets a ton of foot traffic -- with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, it's an outdoor lover's dream. If your goal is to catch the leaves at their prime, head over during the month of October -- though often, you'll still see some nice colors in early November.
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park has a very limited peak tourist season of July and August. The reason? Snowfall before and after that window often makes key roads impassable. Luckily, fall foliage in Glacier is at its best throughout September, and if the weather holds, you might manage some incredible hikes without the crowds.
6. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is your gateway to Vermont's Green Mountains, and October is the prime time to visit. While it's certainly possible to hike your way through the area, scenic highways allow you to see the sights without having to bust out the heavy-duty boots.
7. Kancamagus Scenic Byway, New Hampshire
New England is known for its fall foliage, and New Hampshire is no exception. And within the Granite State, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway (known by locals as "the Kanc") is quite possibly the best place to take in those colors. The byway runs through White Mountain National Forest, so plan to get out and do some hiking along the way. Your prime time to visit is early- to mid-October, though sometimes, the colors can linger into the latter part of the month. No matter where you’re planning to take in fall foliage this season, be smart about planning that trip. If you have a travel rewards credit card, use it to book your lodging and flights. Or cash in your miles to make your getaway less expensive. The great thing about fall foliage trips is that they don’t need to break the bank -- especially if you’re willing to rough it out in the wild.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
Our Research Expert
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Related Articles
View All Articles