Fall Foliage Trips Reimagined: Try These Top Activities While Peeping Leaves in the National Parks

When autumn rolls around, the trees in America’s national parks transform into dazzling tapestries of red, gold, and amber. But fall foliage trips don’t have to mean just pulling over for a quick photo at a roadside overlook. These landscapes invite you to go deeper: pedal along quiet carriage roads, watch wildlife framed by glowing aspens, hike beneath fiery maples, or drift across mirrored lakes under copper skies. This guide reimagines leaf-peeping with five unforgettable national park experiences—complete with the best times to visit, scenic drives, nearby towns for overnight stays, and special seasonal highlights you won’t want to miss.

Acadia National Park, Maine

New England may be famous for its fall color, but nowhere does coastline meet crimson and gold quite like Acadia. Here, the hardwood forests of Mount Desert Island blaze with color while waves crash below granite cliffs. Crisp mornings are perfect for cycling historic carriage roads, kayaking across still ponds, or catching the first sunrise in the U.S. from Cadillac Mountain. And with Bar Harbor just outside the park’s main entrance, it’s easy to pair wilderness adventure with small-town charm and lobster feasts.

• Best time to visit: Peak color typically arrives in mid-October.
• Scenic drives: The 27-mile Park Loop Road loops past rocky coastlines and colorful forests. Don’t miss the Schoodic Peninsula loop for quieter views.
• Gateway towns: Bar Harbor is the lively hub; Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and Winter Harbor offer a quieter vibe.
• Special fall move: Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, followed by a morning bike ride on the 45 miles of carriage roads.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina

No national park draws more visitors than the Smokies, and autumn is its showiest season. A rolling parade of color sweeps from the highest ridges down into sheltered valleys, making the park’s scenic drives look like moving watercolor paintings. Add in misty mornings, historic cabins, and bugling elk echoing through the hollows, and you’ve got an autumn experience that’s both vibrant and timeless. Gateway towns like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Cherokee make it simple to explore different corners of the park while chasing the best color.

• Best time to visit: Color starts at high elevations in mid-September, peaking at lower elevations mid-October to early November.
• Scenic drives: Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop, and the Foothills Parkway deliver sweeping foliage.
• Gateway towns: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Townsend in TN; Cherokee and Bryson City in NC.
• Special fall move: Dawn or dusk in Cataloochee Valley or Oconaluftee to witness the elk rut, complete with bugling calls.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah feels like an easy escape into autumn’s grandeur. The entire park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains, where Skyline Drive winds for more than 100 miles through ridge-top forests and overlooks that glow with fiery reds and oranges. In October, Big Meadows becomes a hub for stargazing, wildlife watching, and trail access, making it a perfect stop for those who want a taste of fall color without long hikes. Whether you’re coming from Front Royal, Luray, or Waynesboro, this park is tailor-made for a weekend foliage getaway.

• Best time to visit: Early to mid-October for higher elevations; lower elevations peak later in the month.
• Scenic drives: The 105-mile Skyline Drive, with more than 70 overlooks, is the heart of the park.
• Gateway towns: Front Royal, Luray, Elkton, and Waynesboro provide easy access.
• Special fall move: Stop at Big Meadows to stroll to overlooks or waterfalls, then “overlook hop” along Skyline Drive during golden hour.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

In Colorado, fall is short, sharp, and spectacular. Rocky Mountain National Park shines brightest when groves of aspen flash brilliant yellow against dark evergreens and the snow-dusted peaks of the Continental Divide. The high-altitude air is crisp, the elk are bugling, and every curve of Trail Ridge Road offers views that feel like stepping into a postcard. Base yourself in Estes Park or Grand Lake, then spend your days chasing golden leaves, alpine sunsets, and the wild drama of the fall rut.

• Best time to visit: Mid-September to early October is peak aspen season.
• Scenic drives: Trail Ridge Road (weather permitting) and Bear Lake Road cut through brilliant aspen groves.
• Gateway towns: Estes Park on the east, Grand Lake on the west.
• Special fall move: Evening in Moraine Park to watch the elk rut while the mountains glow at sunset. (Note: timed-entry reservations are required until October 19).

Zion National Park, Utah

When most people picture Zion, they think of soaring cliffs and desert heat. But autumn brings a surprising twist: cool air, quieter trails, and a canyon glowing with the gold of cottonwoods and the rust-red of canyon maples. The Virgin River becomes a reflective ribbon of color, and biking through the main canyon without traffic feels like having one of the world’s great landscapes to yourself. With Springdale’s cafes and lodging just steps from the park’s entrance, Zion makes it easy to pair adventure with comfort during this overlooked season.

• Best time to visit: Late October to early November, when Zion Canyon cottonwoods reach their peak.
• Scenic drives: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (shuttle-only when operating), the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, and Kolob Canyons Road.
• Gateway towns: Springdale (south entrance), Cedar City (Kolob Canyons), Kanab, and Mount Carmel Junction (east side).
• Special fall move: Bike the Scenic Drive for close-up foliage along the Virgin River, then hike to Emerald Pools or along the Riverside Walk.

Quick Planner: How to “Reimagine” Your Leaf Trip

• Go beyond the windshield. Pair each drive with a low-effort walk, bike, or paddle.
• Stay smart. Book in gateway towns to follow the foliage as it shifts.
• Check operations. Shuttle systems (Zion), timed-entry reservations (RMNP), and alpine road closures (Trail Ridge, Skyline) all affect fall travel.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all 63 of America’s National Parks. He’s creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!

Join the growing community of 125k+ National Park enthusiasts to receive insider deals and updates.