13 Scenic Fall Foliage Trips That Aren't in New England
When temperatures cool across the United States, the colors of the leaves heat up. States like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont seem to steal all the glory when it comes to fall foliage and leaf peeping opportunities—but what many travelers don’t realize is there are a bounty of destinations for watching the leaves change in every region across the U.S. From Georgia, to the mountains of Arizona, and beyond, here are 13 destinations for fall foliage that are nowhere near New England.
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GettySouthern Willamette Valley of Oregon
Fall colors in the Southern Willamette Valley are a special kind of show, when the leaves of maples, magnolias, and oaks turn vivid shades of yellow and red, contrasting against Oregon's signature evergreens. Use Eugene, Oregon, home to quirky shops, restaurants, and stays, as your home base. Enjoy the foliage with a climb up Spencer Butte, just a quick trip from downtown Eugene, or on a drive to explore the 20 covered bridges in Lane County. Better yet, pay a visit to one of the valley's wineries—the vines also turn when the weather cools. Back in Eugene, fuel up at 5th Street Public Market with brews and bites at Alesong Brewing & Blending or Drunken Fish, and bed down at The Gordon Hotel.
GettySan Juan Islands, Washington
For a less expected autumn escape, head to the San Juan Islands just off the coast of Washington. Here, fall colors take over as the Garry oaks and big leaf maples turn yellow and coppery-orange, while sumac turn a startling crimson red. Hike Roche Harbor, with its quaint cobblestone streets lined with colorful leaves, and a maze of trails that wind above the harbor. Set your home base as Orcas Hotel near the ferry pier, which has its own cafe hosted by a professional chef, serving craft cocktails and a full whiskey library to accompany the veranda views.
GettySonoma Valley, California
Sonoma Valley, California has fall foliage from vineyard Harvest Season in September through November. Immerse yourself in the changing colors with a tour of one of several different vineyards by Sonoma Adventures. Or, take a scenic drive between the towns of Sonoma and Kenwood, where the roads wind through endless rows of grapevines boasting shades of crimson, orange, and gold. To work up a sweat, head to Jack London State Historic Park outside Glen Ellen for 29 miles of backcountry trails through mixed forest, woodland, and meadow scenery. MacArthur Place, a luxury boutique 64-room hotel on six open acres of land, makes a scenic home base.
GettySnowmass, Colorado
This world famous mountain town isn’t just for skiing. Here, visitors can experience year-round hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or exploring The Lost Forest adventure park, with striking foliage peaking as early as late September or early October thanks to the high altitude. Hike the Tom Blake Trail, where towering birch trees, which turn glowing hues of yellow, line the trails. Then take the “Skittles” gondola up to the Snowmass Mall, and enjoy a brew with views at the Belgian Ranger Station. The Viceroy Snowmass, just steps from the mountain, is a great home base.
GettyGreater Zion, Utah
Autumn in Utah’s Greater Zion region is an unforgettable sight, when the leaves on quaking aspens and Frémont's cottonwoods at higher elevations change to striking golds and yellows. In Zion National Park, the leaves typically turn from September through October. Visitors can take the park shuttle service from Springdale during that time, making it easy to pop into the park and hike routes like Canyon Overlook Trail, a fairly leisurely journey with rewarding views. To get farther from the crowds, visit nearby state parks instead, like Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, Gunlock, and Snow Canyon. Bed down at Under Canvas Zion, located on 196-acres of untouched desert terrain just 20 minutes from the national park.
GettySun Valley, Idaho
The autumn colors of Ketchum in Sun Valley, Idaho, are one of a kind. Between the months of September to October, Sun Valley’s backdrop of aspens and cottonwood trees turns vivid shades of red, orange, and brilliant gold. Bald Mountain, Sun Valley’s ski mountain, can be a great spot to peep at the colors from above. Head to the Scenic Overlook via Bald Mountain Trail, which requires just a 3.6-mile roundtrip trek to reach a wood-platform with an eagle-eye view of the Big Wood River and the town of Ketchum below. Pair a day of taking in the scenery with a cozy cup of coffee or cocoa at Lizzy's Fresh Coffee, then spend the night at the iconic Sun Valley Lodge, which has easy access to numerous hiking trails.
GettyJackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming, is the perfect hub for exploring two well-known foliage destinations: Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. When the temperatures cool down, and the Aspen trees turn a patchwork of gold and red, the atmosphere of this mountain town (which normally hosts a population of just 11,000 full-time residents) feels as vibrant as the leaves on the trees. There are countless trails for biking and hiking, as well as a via ferrata course at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Spend your evenings at Bistro at Cloudveil, which serves tasty cuisine and crafted cocktails in a modern setting.
AlamyElkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Wisconsin in autumn is paradise for Midwest-based leaf lovers—the state boasts 16 million acres of forested land, after all. Come fall, oaks turn auburn; birches burst out in bright yellows; and dogwoods go purple and red. Visit the charming town of Elkhart Lake, named by the Potawatomi Native American tribe for the lake’s shape, and climb the Marsh Park Observation Tower, the state's tallest, to get a bird's eye view of the changing leaves below. In town, cozy up on the deck or beside the fireplace at Cottonwood Social, for views that don't require you to break a sweat.
GettySanta Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is home to a transforming mountain landscape, with crisp yet comfortable fall temperatures that range from the high-50s to mid-70s. The hillside between Hyde Memorial State Park and Ski Santa Fe is also covered in aspens, whose leaves burst into fiery gold and crimson in late September. Ski Santa Fe opens its main ski lift exclusively on weekends and holidays from September through mid-October, for aerial leaf peeping, and the Santa Fe National Forest is open for outdoor exploration like hiking and biking. Set your home base as Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, a soulful retreat with adventure activities and Southwestern cultural experiences.
GettyFlagstaff, Arizona
Although Arizona is traditionally thought of as a simple stretch of desert, there are alpine landscapes to be found at higher elevations. From late September through late October, visitors can ogle at the colorful leaves of spruce, fir, and quaking aspen, which light up the mountain scenery with yellows, oranges, and reds. In Northern Arizona’s Flagstaff, hiking and camping trips to the San Francisco Peaks are a great way to appreciate the brilliance of fall. Or, head to the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort for a scenic chairlift ride, running through late October.
AlamyBlowing Rock, North Carolina
From its perch on the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, the picturesque mountain village of Blowing Rock is known for spectacular vistas—including from its namesake cliff, which hangs over Johns River Gorge. It’s no surprise this town is nicknamed “Crown of the Blue Ridge.” The trees you'll find here vary depending on elevation, but expect to see dogwood, sourwood, and blackgum trees beginning to turn deep red by late September. In downtown Blowing Rock, everything from hiking and zip line tours to wine tastings and shopping are on offer. Spend the night at the historic Chetola Resort which occupies a 67-acre property with a lake, ample trails for hiking, and the Chetola Sporting Reserve—the perfect launchpad for observing local fall colors.
AlamyNortheast Region, Georgia
North Georgia and its state parks are best visited in the fall, when cool temps and beautiful colors take over. Can't-miss foliage destinations include Tallulah Gorge State Park, which is home to the Tallulah Gorge—two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet in depth—and a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet above the Tallulah River. Next, explore Black Rock Mountain State Park, which is Georgia’s highest state park at an altitude of 3,640 feet for scenic panoramas. Those who would rather just sit back and enjoy the ride can take a train trip on the The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway which departs from Blue Ridge, Georgia, and takes riders on a four-hour journey through the nearby forests and Appalachian foothills, as they burst with brilliant colors. Check out the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ leaf tracker and Blue Ridge Life’s Fall Foliage Forecast Guide to get more details on when exactly each elevation will turn.
GettyAnchorage, Alaska
There is something especially exciting about experiencing fall in Alaska—not only are the leaves turning purple, red, and orange, but the aurora borealis returns, making the night sky glow with green streaks that compete with the foliage display below. Head to Anchorage between early September and October, and take the Alaska Railroad to Seward to witness the changing aspen and cottonwood trees. Hiking or biking in Chugach State Park, with 9,000 square miles of epic wilderness, is an active way to get close to the fall colors—consider camping to catch the Northern Lights as well. Or, take to the water and kayak or paddle board atop one of Anchorage’s many glacial lakes, surrounded by trees.
