{"id":407,"date":"2024-09-16T04:19:33","date_gmt":"2024-09-15T20:19:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/best-places-to-see-the-best-fall-foliage-in-the-us-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:05","slug":"best-places-to-see-the-best-fall-foliage-in-the-us-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=407","title":{"rendered":"Best places to see the best fall foliage in the US in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s a universal truth: the turning of the fall foliage is one of the world\u2019s most enchanting natural phenomena, and in the US, it comes in many different iterations.<\/p>\n

You can drive beneath the amber canopies of New England, watch fiery maples take over the vistas of the northern midwest, or marvel at the golden aspens as they contrast against the rocky peaks of the west.<\/p>\n

All that said, determining peak leaf peeping season isn\u2019t an exact science \u2013 color windows vary across the country due to weather patterns, elevation, and sometimes just pure chance. Luckily for you, we\u2019ve pulled together a list of the best fall foliage in the USA and tips on when to catch the fall colors at their brightest.<\/p>\n

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Stowe Community Church in Vermont is a beacon for leaf peeping photographers \u00a9DonLand\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Stowe, Vermont<\/h2>\n

Best for fall foliage photography<\/i><\/p>\n

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Perhaps the most famous US destination for autumn lovers, Stowe delivers on all counts: spectacular palettes of reds, oranges and yellows; tons of mountain roads and hikes; and access to the highest points in Vermont\u2019s photogenic Green Mountains. Rent a cabin or pitch a tent among some of New England\u2019s most gorgeous forests and enjoy the scenery this region is renowned for.<\/p>\n

Stowe\u2019s fall foliage season generally lasts from early September through late October, with colors peaking in the middle of that period. Use Stowe\u2019s Foliage Finder to follow the color progression on the area\u2019s various scenic drives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Planning tip: <\/b>Looking for a place to stay? The 120-acre Topnotch Resort, nestled at the foot on Mount Mansfield, features a spa and fitness center, tennis academy, fly fishing on the Lamoille River and equestrian center.<\/p>\n

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Don’t fall! Shenandoah National Park in autumn \u00a9 Joel Mulbah & Alyssa Gilbert \/ Virginia Tourism Corporation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia<\/h2>\n

Best for expansive vistas of fall color<\/i><\/p>\n

This expansive park encompasses nearly 100 miles of central Appalachian views, making it one of the most accessible \u2013 and scenic \u2013 fall destinations in the eastern US. Drive along the famous Skyline Drive for breathtaking autumnal vistas or take to the trails to wander beneath Virginia\u2019s beautiful deciduous forests as they don their most exuberant colors.<\/p>\n

Shenandoah\u2019s fall colors generally begin to emerge in October, peaking midway through the end of the month. The park posts weekly updates on the color changes to their social media accounts, but if you\u2019re looking for a more robust tracker ahead of time, check out the Virginia Department of Forestry\u2019s fall foliage reports.<\/p>\n

3. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon<\/h2>\n

Best for lakefront fall colors<\/i><\/p>\n

Imagine a large, mirror-like river buttressed by misty mountains and forested shores, all graced with explosions of gold and orange \u2013 a scene worthy of a painting. Happily, this place is real and it exists at the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon, one of the best leaf-peeping destinations on the west coast.<\/p>\n

Marvel at the intermingling of evergreen forests with alders and maples, all against a mountainous backdrop. Fall colors in this region of Oregon reach their zenith in late October.<\/p>\n

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The changing of the leaves in Zion National Park, Utah \u00a9VisualCommunications\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Zion National Park, Utah<\/h2>\n

Best for fall foliage hiking<\/i><\/p>\n

If you visit Zion in the fall, you\u2019ll see a scene you likely won\u2019t see anywhere else on earth: vermillion maples and yellow cottonwoods accenting the striking red rock desert. The park\u2019s deciduous forests hug the creeks and rivers, and routes like the Emerald Pools Trail offer immersive journeys through Zion\u2019s autumnal wonders.<\/p>\n

Zion\u2019s color-changing process varies depending on elevation in the park \u2013 higher elevations peak in mid-October, while lower elevations hold on to their colorful foliage as long as the middle of November.<\/p>\n

Planning tip: <\/b>Nestled on the north fork of the Virgin River Springdale, just 1.4 miles from the park, is a great place to set up base camp for those not staying at Zion. With its backdrop of red rocks, it\u2019s fun to explore shops and galleries like Bumbleberry Gifts, where you can try the bumbleberry pie, and DeZion Gallery, which features the works of local and regional artists.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. Tennessee\/North Carolina state line<\/h2>\n

Best for a family-friendly fall foliage trip<\/i><\/p>\n

The Tennessee\/North Carolina state line is a marvelous region to visit year round, but it takes on a special charm in the fall, when the mountain forests shed the green for a warmer set of hues. Hike through the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests, get a birds-eye-view of golden valley floors at Roan Mountain, or dig deep into the beauty of southern Appalachia at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Like its western counterparts, Southern Appalachia\u2019s fall colors are elevation dependent. The region\u2019s higher reaches develop colors in early and mid-October, while lower elevations reach their color peaks in late October and early November.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge is a great places to see the fall folaige \u00a9WilliamSherman\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. West Virginia<\/h2>\n

Best for low crowds<\/i><\/p>\n

Perhaps one of the country\u2019s most unsung \u2013 but most beautiful \u2013 destinations, West Virginia is a fall foliage fan\u2019s dream. Covered in forests that wrap across the state\u2019s undulating terrain, West Virginia offers an alternative leaf peeping experience that rivals some of the country\u2019s most famous fall color destinations. Watch the colors collide with the waterfalls and craggy peaks of the Potomac Highlands, take in views of crimson and tangerine tree tops along one of the continent\u2019s oldest rivers (ironically named the New River), or hike into the multi-hued hollows of the Hatfield McCoy Mountains.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Leaves begin changing in late September, with peak colors appearing in mid-October; West Virginia tourism manages a live leaf map throughout the fall, so you can see the changes as they happen.<\/p>\n

7. Northwestern Wyoming<\/h2>\n

Best for mountain drama<\/i><\/p>\n

Wyoming\u2019s mountainous west knows how to deliver drama, and the region takes things up a notch in the fall. Aspens, cottonwoods, willows, and black hawthorns drape the landscape in color, a striking foreground to the imposing Tetons and the winding Snake River. Yellowstone gets in the spirit, too, and don\u2019t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the area\u2019s national forests. If you\u2019re lucky, you may even get a light dusting of snow, which really sets the fall colors off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colors peak in the Wyoming mountains from late September to early October, with colors changing earlier at higher elevations.<\/p>\n

8. Wisconsin Northwoods<\/h2>\n

Best for scenic fall drives<\/i><\/p>\n

Home to sprawling boreal forests and glacial lakes, the Wisconsin Northwoods immerse visitors in true autumn glory. Take a scenic drive through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, fish for trophy musky beneath the multihued canopy, or visit one of the region\u2019s small communities for fall festivals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The fall foliage in northern Wisconsin begins its transformation in September, with colors maxing out in early October. Follow Travel Wisconsin\u2019s fall color reports for live updates.<\/p>\n

Detour: <\/b>It\u2019s a little over two hours away, but Door County, a peninsula bordered by Lake Michigan on one side and Green Bay on the other, is a spectacular fall foliage destination. Its scenic drives meander through a landscape of rolling hills, apple orchards, and such adorable small towns as Fish Creek and Egg Harbor. The area is known for its artist galleries, wineries, breweries, and distilleries as well as cheese. Peak fall color season is late September to mid-October.<\/p>\n

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Grab your camera if you’re heading for Northern Nevada \u00a9JasonDoiy\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Northern Nevada<\/h2>\n

Best for desert fall colors<\/i><\/p>\n

Nevada may be well known for its deserts, but its mountainous north provides an oasis of fall foliage that just may surprise you. Head to Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains to see golden treetops wrap around the region\u2019s rocky peaks, and if you\u2019re feeling adventurous, don a backpack and immerse yourself in nature on the Ruby Crest Trail.<\/p>\n

Fall colors emerge in mountainous Northern Nevada in October, usually reaching their most colorful state at the end of the month.<\/p>\n

10. Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, Arkansas<\/h2>\n

Best for colorful country roads<\/i><\/p>\n

This 35-mile route crosses the Boston Mountain Range of the Ozarks in Arkansas, taking you through two national forests (Ozark and Ouachita), across the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail, and up to Buffalo National River, the country\u2019s first. A joyous network of twists and turns through the state\u2019s most lush countryside, this byway delivers autumn foliage in high definition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Like other destinations in this part of the country, the Ozarks start seeing fall colors in late September or early October, with things peaking in late October and early November.<\/p>\n

11. Tunnel of Trees, Northern Michigan<\/h2>\n

Best for treetop canopies<\/i><\/p>\n

Considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States, the 20-mile stretch of M-119 winds its way along Lake Michigan under a canopy of treetops, giving the road the nickname of Tunnel of Trees. Pretty any time of the year, the two-lane road is spectacular in the fall when the leaves are a blaze of red, orange and yellow.<\/p>\n

Following the crest of a bluff overlooking the blue waters of Lake Michigan, at times it’s possible to catch a glimpse of Beaver and Isle Aux Galets, two nearby islands. Designated as a Scenic Heritage Road, M-119 is also a trip through history. Originally used as a north\/south trail by Native Americans, the road going north begins in historic Harbor Springs. Located on Little Traverse Bay, the town is a gem of lovely Victorian and Queen Anne homes and a downtown filled with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Peak fall color season is typically the last week of September and the first two weeks of October.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Planning tip: <\/b>Along the way, stop for ice cream and a look around the general store in Good Hart, which first opened its doors in 1934. Then continue to Cross Village and the legendary (at least to Michiganders) Leggs Inn.\u00a0<\/p>\n

12. Catskill Mountains, New York<\/h2>\n

Best for a fall big city escape<\/i><\/p>\n

With its gorges and soaring peaks, vast vistas, lakes and the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains has been a popular destination since the 1800s. That\u2019s when its beauty, captured by such Hudson River School painters as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, inspired city dwellers along the Eastern Seaboard to make their way there. Follow the Hudson River School Trail to learn more about these artists. Among the 21 stops are the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the village of Catskill and the Hudson River from the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stroll across the Hudson River Skywalk connecting Cole\u2019s home to Frederic Church’s Olana, its fantastic architecture inspired by the artist\u2019s time in Persia. Explore such natural wonders as Kaaterskill Falls. It\u2019s New York\u2019s highest waterfall\u2013260ft compared to Niagara\u2019s 167ft.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Though the time varies according to elevation and weather, typically fall colors in the Catskills begin in late September and peak around the second week in October.<\/p>\n

13. Covered bridges, Parke County, Indiana<\/h2>\n

Best for scenic covered bridges<\/i><\/p>\n

Travel along scenic drives lined with leaves displaying their vibrant fall colors on a trip to the past in Parke County, Indiana. There are 31 wood-covered bridges here, the oldest dating back to 1856, in what locals call \u201cThe Covered Bridge Capital of the World.\u201d Though they were designed for horse and buggies, the majority carry cars over waterways such as Raccoon and Sugar Creeks.<\/p>\n

As an added plus, Parke County has two working grist mills. The picturesque\u00a0 red mill in Bridgeton is next to the Bridgeton Covered Bridge that spans a 200ft long waterfall. The other, in the tiny town of Mansfield, is open only for festivals, including the 10-day Parke County Covered Bridge Festival that starts on the second Friday of October.<\/p>\n

The timing is perfect as that\u2019s when the fall colors peak and it\u2019s also when this very rural county comes to life. Download the map and choose where to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Planning tip: <\/b>The festival attracts over two million people so expect delays and crowded roads. Or, go just before or after. You\u2019ll still get a lot of colors though you\u2019ll miss the events but also the crowds.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

Which US state has the best fall foliage?<\/h3>\n

New York State typically ranks highest for fall colors often followed by other Eastern Seaboard states such as Vermont. Others frequently listed include Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Michigan.<\/p>\n

What are the best weeks for fall foliage?<\/h3>\n

Depending upon the location and elevations, fall colors can begin as early as mid-September all the way and continue on through early November.<\/p>\n

What state has the longest fall foliage?<\/h3>\n

Connecticut, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Missouri and New York are among the top states for the longest fall foliage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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