Fall is such a beautiful time of the year with the leaves changing colors. Most likely, you have noticed the change of seasons in your own backyard. But it can also be fun to take a trip somewhere where the fall scenery is extra beautiful and breathtaking. In this article, I’ll be going over different locations in the United States that have beautiful fall scenery. Let’s get started.
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is one of the Midwest’s best places to see fall foliage. To get to this beautiful county, follow Highway 57 down the Lakeside of the peninsula. As you are driving, you will notice lighthouses and white-frame buildings along with colorful trees that line the highways. The best time of year to see all the fall colors is usually around the second week of October, and perhaps into the third week during a good season. You’ll find numerous attractive towns as well as apple orchards to pick apples from.
Image Source: Midwest Living
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is well known for its beautiful aspen trees that display fall colors. As though the fall colors are not breathtaking enough, there are also mountain peaks that tower over the aspen trees. There are plenty of places to take a hike, as well as fall events that start in September and continue well into October. Bring your camera along, because you’ll see plenty of postcard-looking-scenery that you must capture on camera.
Image Source: Kyle Hammons
Ozark National Forest, Arkansas
The Ozark National Forest has more than 1.2 million acres of beautiful fall scenery. During October the fall foliage is at its peak. There are plenty of mountains, springs, rivers, and breathtaking parks to photograph. The Ozark Nation Forest is beautiful any time of year, but it is especially attractive during the fall. You can find a lot of mountains to climb, trails to hike, and parks to visit.
Image Source: Ozark Mountains
Catskill Mountains, New York
The Catskill Mountains, which is about 100 miles north-northwest of New York City, is the perfect place to stop for some beautiful scenery and live entertainment. The Catskill Mountains is full of wildlife, hiking trails, and, of course, colorful trees. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit the Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest, which offers visitors four weekends of live entertainment, delicious food, and fun activities. You can even go on the Skyride, which allows you to see the fall scenery from high up in the air.
Image Source: New York Upstate
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Located between Washington and Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge is home to over 50 waterfalls. Although it is beautiful any time of year, the fall months are especially a good time to visit it. During October and November, Mount Hood becomes a symphony of beautiful fall colors that are perfect for hiking, biking, and photographing. Keep in mind that if the summer was dry, it will have created an atmosphere susceptible to wildfires, so be sure to check on potential damage or closed areas with the Northwest Coordination Center or the Forest Service.
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Moosehead Lake Region, Maine
Want to see beautiful fall colors in the comfort of your own car? The Moosehead Lake Region in Maine is the perfect place to plan a vacation. Many bright and colorful trees will form canopies over the road. The route is 75.2 miles long, and there are lots of fun places to stop. One such place is the Blair Hill Inn, which is the perfect place to spend the night. There you can enjoy good food, a spectacular view of fall foliage, and even a spa. After a good night’s rest at Blair Hill Inn, be sure to check out the scenic floatplane tour so that you can view the Moosehead Lake from up high.
The entire route in Moosehead Lake Region starts at The Forks, Maine’s white-water-rafting hub, and then goes to Jackman, deep in the North Woods. While you’re there, consider stopping at the Attean Overlook for an extraordinary view of the Moose River Valley all the way to the Canadian border. After taking a few photographs of the beautiful fall foliage, head to Rockwood on the shores of Moosehead Lake and spend the night in Greenville. At the end of your journey, you’ll get to drive beneath spectacular tree canopies on unpaved logging roads.
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Eastern Sierras, California
If you happen to drive by California, the Eastern Sierras is definitely a place you’ll want to check out. You’ll be welcomed by many yellow and orange aspens, golden willows, and crimson cottonwoods that surround the sapphire alpine lakes, gushing waterfalls, and snow-frosted 12,000-foot-high mountain peaks. Start in Coleville, and drive over to Lundy Lake. While you’re there you can take a short hike to view the Lundy Canyon Falls. Continue driving on to the June Lake Loop and Mono Lake. Go through Mammoth Lakes where orange streaks the mountainside, and finally to Rock Creek Canyon. Don’t forget to stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli inside the Tioga Gas Mart in Lee Vining for a snack. Their menu consists of unique foods that cannot easily be found in other restaurants.
Image Source: Flickr
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Starting in Roanoke, Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway combines Virginia’s farmsteads with North Carolina’s Appalachian hardwood forests. The entire route is 500 miles long. Be sure to stop at the scenic Price Lake, where there is a trail that goes around the lake. Along the route, you’ll come upon the Blue Ridge Music Center, which showcases the area’s bluegrass tradition. While you are there you will get to visit the museum, visitor center, and listen to some bluegrass music. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia. You can plan on spending the night at the Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast, which is located in Ashville, North Carolina.
Image Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
The apostle islands’ fall colors are simply stunning. The fall scenery is at its best during the second week of October. The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior, off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. You’ll get to view sea caves, which are caves out in the sea. There are plenty of other fun activities to do, such as camping, visiting local museums, and driving through an endless forest of trees.
Image Source: Reddit
Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana
One of the best fall foliage drives in Indiana is the Clifty Falls State Park. Located on Route 56 just west of Madison, Indiana, this gorgeous state park sits atop the hills overlooking the Ohio River. You’ll get to enjoy a scenic winding drive through the park while viewing waterfalls, cliffs, and steep gorges, which all are full of colorful fall foliage. There are also a number of well-established trails to explore by foot. Because it is full of fall scenery, this is the perfect place to take photographs.
Image Source: State Parks
Hocking Hills Scenic Byway, Ohio
Are you looking for fall foliage drives in Ohio? Consider driving through the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway. The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway takes travelers deep into the historic hills of southeast Ohio. It is a 45-minute drive but has lots of places to stop along the way. One such place is the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, which provides a place to relax and perhaps spend the night. If you are wanting to take a hike through the beautiful fall scenery, consider hiking the trails to the Old Man’s Cave.
Image Source: Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls
Can These Beautiful Bedroom Plants Help Me Sleep Better While Traveling in the United States During Fall?
Can These Beautiful Bedroom Plants Help Me Sleep Better While Traveling in the United States During Fall? Yes! Bedroom plants for better sleep, such as lavender and snake plants, can provide a calming and soothing ambiance to create a sleep-friendly environment in any location. Whether you’re traveling or not, these plants can help promote restful sleep by purifying the air and releasing relaxing scents, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Marinette County’s Waterfall Tour, Wisconsin
There are many Wisconsin fall drives, and some of them I have already gone over. But perhaps one of the best Wisconsin fall drives is the Marinette County’s Waterfall Tour. Marinette County’s Waterfall Tour is a beautiful place to visit in autumn. You’ll get to view 14 waterfalls throughout this 125-mile loop tour. Half of the falls are located in pleasant county parks with picturesque footbridges and picnic areas.
Image Source: Only In Your State
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Looking for some midwest scenery? Check out the Custer State Park, which is located in South Dakota. It features impressive granite spires known as the Needles, multiple lakes, and bison that wander freely. There are many places to experience vibrant fall colors, including the 1-mile walk around Sylvan Lake. One of the most popular events is the Buffalo Roundup, which is open to the public starting on the last Friday of September. There are plenty of other activities as well, including Cabela’s Challenge Dutch Oven Cook-off.
Image Source: E.J Photographer
Final Thoughts
Fall is such a beautiful time of year with the colorful fall leaves. Now is the perfect time of year to take a trip to visit a city in the United States that is full of fall foliage. In this article, I went over the best cities to see fall foliage, as well as state parks to visit. Many of these cities have fun fall activities that begin in September and continue well into November. I hope this article has inspired you to take a trip to view some beautiful fall scenery. So go pack a suitcase, bring along a backpack for hiking, and get ready to be amazed by the breathtaking fall scenery. Don’t forget to bring a camera, because you will probably want to photograph the beautiful fall foliage. Have fun!
