The truth is, most national parks are great to see during the fall. Temperatures are cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, and crowds are dying down. That said, if you’ve got limited time for a fall break, you can’t just pick any park and hope for the best. These 9 (in no particular order) are sure to be winners for your next fall trip!
1. Shenandoah National Park, VA
Why it’s great: All the best colors of Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia National Parks. (Slightly) smaller crowd sizes.
Shenandoah National Park is a jewel nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A reasonable drive from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is easy to access via car, plane, or even transit.
The leaves are generally at their best in the month of October, but with the leaves comes the crowds. You’ll want to get up early to beat the rush into the park if you’re not staying at one of Shendoah’s campgrounds.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC & TN
Why it’s great: Only Acadia gives this park a run for its money in terms of fall colors. Plus, no entrance fees!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is synonymous with great fall foliage. Anywhere in the Smoky Mountains is sure to offer incredible fall views, but there’s no place quite like the park to be entranced by the changing leaves.
Note that you aren’t the only one excited to go to this park. More than 13 million people visited in 2023, partially due to its lack of entrance fees. Prepare accordingly! Still, all the hassle is worth it to experience otherworldly fall colors.
3. Acadia National Park, ME
Why it’s great: The general consensus is that Acadia has the absolute best fall colors of any national park, with Great Smoky Mountains being a close second.
Bar Harbor, Maine is one of (if not the) best places in the United States to see fall colors. Because of that – and the fact that it’s short on campsites – it’s hard to find a place to pitch your tent during peak season. Acadia National Park is a trip you want to plan as far in advance as possible. Of course, there are short-term rentals and campgrounds not associated with the park, so you have options.
4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH
Why it’s great: Most casual national park travelers aren’t heading to Cuyahoga Valley. The lack of name recognition means lower crowds during peak season.
Cuyahoga Valley is one of the newer national parks, established in the year 2000. While there are seven newer national parks, Cuyahoga Valley still gets overlooked as a newcomer. Plus, it’s located in Ohio (where it’s the only national park in the state), so travelers looking to see multiple parks in one trip aren’t stopping here.
Even though it’s underappreciated, it’s beautiful during the fall! You’ll enjoy all the vibrant colors of other, more popular parks without the hassle of long lines to enter.
5. Mount Rainier National Park, WA
Why it’s great: Fall colors come early this far north (and this high in elevation). You’ll be able to get great early-season leaf peeping with minimal crowds.
Mount Rainier is an absolutely stunning park. Centered around the giant Mount Rainier that stands a towering 14,410 feet above sea level, fall in this park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The leaves come in early this far north, so you’ll want to be here no later than the beginning of October to see peak foliage. Early-season travelers can enjoy budding fall colors as early as mid-September.
6. Denali National Park, AK
Why it’s great: Most people aren’t willing to make this trip, so you’ll see fewer visitors here while still getting far-north fall views.
The Final Frontier is one of the best places for fall. This far north, though, fall starts to set in by late August. Early September is a great time to see the peak fall foliage before the temperatures start dropping below zero overnight. Now, it’s Denali National Park, so it won’t be warm in September, but the highs are well above freezing and overnights probably won’t drop far below 20 degrees.
7. Zion National Park, UT
Why it’s great: Zion is breathtaking without the fall colors. Wait until November comes around and it only gets better.
Since Zion is in the southern half of the United States, fall comes around a little later. For travelers who don’t want to (or can’t) hit the road in October for fall in the north, Zion offers a great option for the late season. If you go before ice and snow hit, you can hike some of the most popular Zion National Park trails without the peak-season crowds.
8. Congaree National Park, SC
Why it’s great: Travelers haven’t yet realized that Congaree is beautiful in the fall. Low crowds and great colors!
South Carolina isn’t traditionally associated with great fall colors like its northern state compatriots, but Congaree National Park is an underrated fall destination. You’ll have the place basically to yourself when you visit. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but still. Fall brings low crowds, unlike other parks in the South, so you’ll have your choice of the best hikes.
9. Everglades National Park, FL
Why it’s great: This is for travelers who are focused more on low crowds and temperate weather. You trade good fall colors for mild temperatures and low crowds.
Florida’s Everglades National Park is a more off-the-beaten-path choice for fall travelers. However, once November hits and the Florida heat starts to subside, you’ll find that Everglades National Park is a great destination. Highs in November hover around 80 degrees with moderate lows in the mid-60s. Pack your summer tent and a long-sleeve shirt, and you’re ready to go!
Head off on your next adventure!
No matter where you’re headed, a national park is a fantastic place to spend a fall weekend or extended trip! Which locations are on your bucket list?
