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Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
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items Known as America’s “best idea,” national parks offer respite, adventure, and inspiration to all who visit. Autumn is an especially magical season to explore them: vibrant foliage, crisp air, and fewer crowds make fall a perfect time to experience the...
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Fall Foliage
Fewer Crowds
Too Hot for Summer
Fall Foliage
As autumn settles in, forests and valleys burst into color—fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges transform familiar landscapes into living paintings. These parks are especially stunning for folks hoping to catch nature’s grand seasonal show.
Acadia is hands down the best place to see fall foliage. You will feel transported to a magical land of color.
Acadia National Park
Hot Springs National Park is perfect for an autumn getaway. The leaves are changing colors and the hot baths are the ultimate relaxing fall activity.
Hot Springs National Park
Talk about stunning fall leaves. The Smokies get their name in earnest. Wake up early in the morning and you can see the fog rolling across the mountain tops. There are so many cute towns you can stay in for a Hallmark fall vibe.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Another perfect fall getaway to see the vibrant colors of the season. The Blueridge Parkway is an excellent way to see the colors. Great for families and people with disabilities.
Shenandoah National Park
America's newest national park, New River Gorge is stunning during the fall. The leaves are chaning colors, but it's not too cold to enjoy the river. This is a perfect spot for families.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley is free to the public. In the fall, visitors can climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a ride through the park, where sweeping views of vibrant autumn leaves unfold around every bend.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Fewer Crowds
Fall brings a calmer rhythm to the parks. With summer tourists gone, trails, overlooks, and campgrounds feel more peaceful. These destinations are perfect if you’re seeking solitude, easier reservations, and the chance to experience nature without th...
Zion National Park is buzzing with tourists during the summer months, making reservations hard to come by. From September through November, brilliant fall foliage creates a striking contrast against the red rock canyon walls. Cooler weather makes exp...
Zion National Park
Yosemite is the second-most visited park in the U.S. Going in the fall allows you to enjoy the park without the crowds of summer. Fall is also an excellent season for fishing, as brown trout in the Merced River become less cautious with fewer visitor...
Yosemite National Park
Autumn in Grand Teton National Park is alive with movement as wildlife begin their journeys to wintering grounds. Herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn pass through the park, with pronghorn undertaking one of the continent’s longest land migrations—span...
Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone in the fall offers fewer crowds than summer, with brilliant colors peaking from late September to mid-October. It’s also elk rutting season, when bugling calls echo through the valleys—a wildlife experience unique to this time of year. Mi...
Yellowstone National Park
Too Hot for Summer
In some parks, fall is when the real adventure begins. Cooler temperatures not only make exploration more comfortable after scorching summer heat but also mark the start of seasonal programming. Ranger-led talks, guided hikes, and wildlife-viewing ev...
Big Bend National Park is one of my all-time favorite U.S. Parks. The biodiversity is insane, and the desert air is refreshing. October and November are the best times to hit the park to avoid the extreme heat of summer and bitter cold of winter. Big...
Big Bend National Park
When summer winds down, programming comes alive in Death Valley National Park. Ranger-led talks and tours pause during the extreme summer heat, but by mid-October they return—offering visitors the chance to explore safely while learning more about Am...
Death Valley National Park