As the temperatures cool and crowds go home, fall is an excellent time to enjoy the U.S. National Parks. As early as Labor Day weekend, the leaves start to change brilliant shades. From fiery reds to pumpkin oranges to sunburst yellows, visitors can see maples, aspens and oaks in color from September until November. Get a cozy lodge or a scenic camping site and make it a long weekend, perfect for sweaters and s’mores. Here are the Best National Parks for Fall Color.
Best National Parks for Fall Color
Acadia National Park in Maine
Big Bend National Park in West Texas
Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, New York
Glacier National Park in Montana
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas
Isle Royale National Park in Michigan
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Yosemite National Park in California
Zion National Park in Utah
Should You Visit a National Park in Fall?
If you love the outdoors and hate crowds, fall is ideal for a National Park getaway. The weather offers a chill in the morning and evening with sunny and warm days. It’s good hiking and exploring weather.
Just remember that if the area is known for its fall color season, check to see it timed entry reservations are required, like at Rocky Mountain National Park. The northern parks might get snow even in early fall. However, roads are usually cleared within hours.
Acadia National Park in Maine
Located along the stunning Atlantic coast near Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park might be one of the best national parks for fall color. After stopping by the Hulls Cove Visitors Center, board the Island Explorer to see Acadia National Park.
The top spots along the route are Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond. The carriage roads in Acadia offer excellent leaf-peeping strolls and a hike up Cadillac Mountain. Jordan Pond House remains open for popovers and tea until the end of October. Acadia is one of the Best National Parks for Fall Color.
For visitors who want to explore by car, head over to the Schoodic Peninsula for a mini version of Mount Desert Isle. It offers hiking trails along the Atlantic Ocean to the park’s high points with fewer crowds.
Acadia National Park is just south of Bar Harbor, Maine, and 275 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. It is open year-round, but there are seasonal road closures from November through March. Admission is $25 per car for a seven-day pass.
Planning Guide to Acadia National Park
Big Bend National Park in West Texas
Out in West Texas, the skies are as large as the horizon, and the night sky glitters brighter than anywhere else in the U.S. Located at the end of the road in the bend of Texas, Big Bend is where the desert meets the mountains and then meets the river.
There are two main spots to explore for fall color. The Chisos Mountains are home to the highest peaks in Big Bend National Park. With its higher elevation, it is cooler during the day and night, thanks to the thin desert air. This area features trees like Cottonwoods and Madrones.
Located in a pocket of Cottonwoods that turn a brilliant yellow, the Rio Grande Village offers a large campground and a picnic area. The U.S. – Mexico Border Crossing is in the area. The Daniels Ranch, a historic adobe building, is located nearby.
Big Bend National Park is located in far West Texas, about 450 miles west of San Antonio, Texas. It is open year-round, but the park offers few services during the heat of the summer. A 7-day vehicle pass is $30.
Top Things to Do in Big Bend National Park
Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, New York
Perched along the Hudson River, about two hours by train from New York City, the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is the childhood home of the former present. During his lifetime, FDR considered himself a tree farmer as well as a politician.
During his tenure, he worked with the New York State College of Forestry to develop techniques to keep the forests sustainable. The grounds now include mature specimens, such as red oaks, sugar and silver maples, beech, hickory and chestnut.
In addition to the estate, which is free to enter, visitors can tour the FDR Home for $10 per person (16+); his gravesite and presidential library (an additional $10 to enter) are located on the property.
Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is located at 114 Estates Lane, Hyde Park, NY. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for April 1- August 31. and earlier for the rest of the year.
Glacier National Park in Montana
Find the fall color favorite, Quaking Aspen in Glacier. The fall color season starts early and leaves change colors starting in mid-September. In addition to Aspen, find Western Larch trees that turn golden. Wildlife is more active during the fall and it’s a popular mating season. Glacier is one of the Best National Parks for Fall Color in the Western U.S.
Glacier National Park is in northern Montana. It is open year-round, but Going-to-the-Sun Road closes in the fall for snow. Admission is $35 per car for a 7-day pass. The vehicle reservation pass requirements expire in early September. The Going to the Sun road usually closes in mid-October.
Planning Guide to Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
The South Rim offers Fremont Cottonwoods and Gambel Oaks for fall color, while the North Rim features aspen. Fall brings milder temperatures inside the canyon, so hiking is popular.
The Grand Canyon is in northern Arizona. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. A 7-day private vehicle pass is $35. North Rim is closed from December 1 to May 15th.
Planning Guide to Grand Canyon
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
With a diversified forest, the leaves start to pop from early September and continue to October. For yellow and orange colors, see Quaking Aspen, narrow-leaf cottonwood, black hawthorn and willow. The best areas to see fall color are near water, like the numerous lakes.
Grand Teton National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, due to snow, there may be seasonal road closures from September until May. Most services are open in the summer and fall color season from early June to October. Admission is $35 for a 7-day pass for a private vehicle.
Planning Guide to Grand Teton
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
Plan an autumn trip to the Smokies for one of the top places to see fall colors. With about 100 native tree species, find several types of maples along with American beech, scarlet oak, sweet gum and hickories.
The fall color season runs from September to November, depending on elevation. The easiest way to see fall color is to take a scenic drive, though expect traffic delays. The best fall colors are at Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway (outside of the park), Foothills Parkway and Clingmans Dome.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located between Tennessee and North Carolina. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and is free to enter.
Planning Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas
The Highpoint of Texas offers more than mountain climbing. In the fall, the trees are the show. Since the park is at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains, you can find maples and the Texas Madrones.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in West Texas. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Admission is $7 a person for 16+ for a seven-day pass.
National Parks of Texas
Isle Royale National Park in Michigan
Off the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in Lake Superior, fall comes early to Isle Royale National Park. With its remote location, visitors enjoy a park to themselves for most visits. Find Paper Birch, Aspen, and Mountain Ash contrasting with the fir trees.
Isle Royale National Park is located in Michigan’s Lake Superior. Open mid April to October 31, a ferry ride is required to visit. Admission is $7 a person per day (16+).
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
As the season officially changes from summer to fall, so do the trees. The Quaking Aspen starts to mellow into its signature gold color in mid-to-late September until mid-October, depending on weather and elevation. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the Best National Parks for Fall Color.
The easiest way to experience fall color season is a scenic drive like Trail Ridge Road. Hiking is another way to enjoy the cool weather and brilliant fall color. For the best color, try Sprague Lake, Bear Lake or Albert Falls.
Estes Park is about 5 miles from the Fall River Entrance on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Granby is about 16 miles from the Grand Lake Entrance on the west side of the park.
Rocky Mountain National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. One-day admission is $25 per car. Rocky Mountain National Park timed permits are required until mid-October. For more information, visit the NPS site.
Planning Guide to Rocky Mountain
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California
Two separate parks are joined on one side. Home to the mighty evergreen sequoia trees, though, find dogwood shrubs at the base that turn red during the fall.
It is located in southeast California. Open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. A 7-day pass for $35 per vehicle is good for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon Planning Guide
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
Close to Washington, DC, Shenandoah is popular for scenic drives in the fall since Skyline Road runs north to south in the park. You can find a wide assortment of trees, like Red Oak, Maple, Sassafras and Yellow Poplar.
Shenandoah National Park is located in Northwestern Virginia. It is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. A 7-day pass costs $30 per vehicle.
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Fall comes early in Yellowstone. The summer travelers are barely gone before the trees start to change. Find Quaking Aspen, Narrowleaf Cottonwood, Willon and Hawthorne trees.
Though it is a beautiful time to visit, some of the lodging and services close in early September, so planning is important. For an extended trip, it can be combined with Grand Teton National Park or even Glacier National Park to the north.
Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming. Open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. A 7-day pass for $30 per vehicle.
Planning Guide for Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite National Park in California
Head to the valleys for the best color, with Quaking Aspen, dogwood, big-leaf maple and black oak. Early color can be found along Tioga Road in the Tuolumne Meadows area.
Yosemite National Park is located in the eastern portion of Central California. Open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. A 7-day pass is $35 per vehicle. A timed vehicle reservation is required on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-August until the end of October.
Zion National Park in Utah
Starting at the top of the ridges, fall colors dip into the valley, turning the Freemont Cottonwoods a sunny yellow. This is a nice contrast to the red sandstone and the evergreen pinyon trees and juniper. The weather is mild, and hiking is a top activity.
Zion National Park is located in southern Utah. It is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. A 7-day pass costs $35 per vehicle. Zion Canyon uses a free shuttle.
Planning Guide to Zion National Park
Tips for Fall Color Trips
- Save time; buy your park pass online.
- Pack water and food for your trip.
- Wear appropriate footwear for the outdoors.
- Give animals their space, 25 yards in most cases.
- Dress in layers.
- Check with the park for the latest color updates.
- Make reservations in advance for camping and lodging.
