Fall is an underrated season for national park travel — the summer crowds thin out, temperatures cool down, and in the right parks, the scenery turns into a full-blown color show. Here are some of the best national parks to visit for autumn foliage, along with where to stay and eat once the hiking's done for the day.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Coastal Maine puts on one of the best fall foliage displays in the country, typically peaking in early-to-mid October. Park Loop Road and the historic carriage roads are ideal for a slow scenic drive or bike ride through sugar maples and birches in full color, with the added bonus of granite peaks meeting the Atlantic in the background. Stay in Bar Harbor, the classic gateway town, and make time for popovers at the Jordan Pond House and a fresh lobster dinner on the water — few fall trips pair foliage and food this well. Browse Acadia tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
September brings elk bugling season to Rocky Mountain National Park, when bull elk gather harems in meadows like Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park, filling the evening air with their distinctive calls. Aspen groves throughout the park turn gold at the same time, making for a rare overlap of wildlife spectacle and fall color. Estes Park, the gateway town, has a lively fall food and shopping scene, and it's also home to the historic Stanley Hotel — the grand, mountain-view hotel that inspired Stephen King's The Shining — which offers tours even if you're not staying the night. Browse Rocky Mountain National Park tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier's fall shoulder season means smaller crowds on Going-to-the-Sun Road and cooler, more comfortable hiking temperatures, along with golden larch trees that turn a brilliant yellow in late September and early October along trails like the Highline. Just note that sections of the road typically close by early-to-mid October, so a fall visit is best planned for the first half of the season. The historic lodges — Many Glacier Hotel on the east side and Lake McDonald Lodge on the west — are quieter in fall and a memorable place to end each day by the fire. Browse Glacier National Park tours and experiences below to plan your trip.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
America's most-visited national park is arguably at its best in fall, when the Appalachian hardwood forest turns into a patchwork of red, orange, and gold across the Smokies' rolling ridgelines, usually peaking in mid-to-late October depending on elevation. Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove are two of the most popular routes for viewing the color change, and nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer no shortage of places to stay and eat on either side of a day in the park.
What to Pack for Fall Park Trips
Fall weather in the mountains swings fast between crisp mornings and warm afternoons, so layers are essential. The VacationGrabs Leather Travel Backpack has room for an extra layer and a camera for chasing the best light, and the VacationGrabs Leather Overnight Duffel is a great weekend bag for a fall foliage getaway.
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