We’re counting down the days until the official start of Autumn- 8 days to be exact! Fall is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times of year. The colors are changing, the air is crisp, and apples are finally in season- and you don’t have to go far to see spectacular fall colors up close and personal. Here are the 10 best places to see fall foliage in the United States:
- The Catskills, New York. Located in southeastern New York, the area consists of six major river systems and 35 mountain peaks, all taller than 3,500 feet. The Catskills are home to the town of Woodstock, which hosted the iconic Woodstock music festival in 1969. With densely forested hills, fall colors are vibrant and abundant. The foliage is at its peak coloring from late September to mid October.
- Aspen, Colorado. Named after a tree known for its rich fall coloring, Aspen, Colorado is the premier destination for those wanting to get a good look at some beautiful fall sights. From mid September through the first week of October, the foliage is stunning all around the Maroon bells area. The deep gold and red hues of the Aspen trees contrast perfectly with the evergreens and breathtaking mountain peaks. After spending the day in the crisp Autumn air, My Aspen Rental wants to keep you warm and comfortable at night.
Flickr: Greg Willis - Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. Located in the Cascade Mountains, the Columbia River Gorge is home to a variety of different trees. The maples, cottonwoods, and Oregon ash trees all turn vivid reds and oranges. Take in the sights on a scenic drive, while hiking or biking on the trails, or while rafting down the river. The best time to view the fall foliage and the 208 ft. Wah Gwin Gwin waterfall is between mid September and mid October.
- Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee. As one of the most visited national parks in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains is host to over 100 different native trees, including scarlet oaks, hickories, and sweetgums. The trees turn an array of golds, scarlets, purples, and oranges from early October to early November.
Flickr: Phil Varney - The Berkshires, Massachusetts. The Berkshires are a highland geological region that is a part of a mountain range in Massachusetts. It features narrow, winding roads that offer up close and personal views of changing leaves. When taking a break from the magnificent colors, The Berkshires have a plethora of art galleries and antique shops. The best time for fall foliage is between late September and mid/late October.
- Green Mountain Byway, Vermont. Color-changing trees line this eleven mile route that cuts across the state of Vermont. The beautiful drive connects Waterbury- which is the home of Ben & Jerry’s- to the famous ski resort Stowe. Rich golds and crimsons can be seen throughout the entire eleven miles, stunning drivers and passengers alike. The leaves begin to change the second week of September, but peaks during the first week of October.
- Upper Peninsula, Michigan. With over four million acres, the Michigan state forest system is home to more than twenty forested state parks on the Upper Peninsula. Located between three Great Lakes, the azure water is a picture-perfect contrast to the warm-toned and vibrant leaves.
- Glacier National Park, Montana. If you like to be alone with the great outdoors, then Glacier National Park in the fall is the place for you. By the end of September all of the park’s concessions have closed and most of the guests have left. This leaves just you and the abundance of larch trees, whose needles turn a bright gold. Set against the peaks of the Continental Divide, the colors are picturesque.
Flickr: GlacierNPS - Lake of The Ozarks, Missouri. While the Lake of The Ozarks is a popular summer getaway, the surrounding forest turns into beautiful shades of scarlet, gold, crimson, and orange in the fall. Popular ways of viewing the fall foliage include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. If you want to spend a little bit more money, you can take in the sights on a yacht or while sipping wine at one of the nearby wineries.
- Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico. While most people would not think of New Mexico when thinking of fall colors, the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 83 mile loop that is riddled with Aspen trees. When their leaves change in late September or early October, the Byway sees an array of vibrant reds and oranges. The loop circles Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico.
