Two words spring to mind when discussing autumn leaf viewing: New England. This region of the country shines above all the other states. With its thick hardwood forests, winding backroads, picturesque tiny villages, and charming bridges.
Don’t get us wrong, the famous fall foliage in New England is beautiful, but you wouldn’t expect to find autumnal beauty there. We looked for places to see fall foliage across the nation, and we’re sure you’ll like what we found. These are the top locations to travel to this autumn. Besides offering spectacular displays of changing leaves, some of these remote locations also enjoy being far less overrun by other tourists carrying cameras.
West Virginia
West Virginia, the third-most forested state in the US, is hidden away along the Appalachian Mountains. With trees covering 75% of the state, West Virginia comes alive in the autumn as the leaves burst into warm, blissful hues. Fall is the time of year when 27 species of trees develop a variety of colors, including yellow, red, brown, and nine other hues. Do you have any idea how many different shades there would be?
New River Gorge, America’s newest national park, is a must-visit destination for hikers and foliage enthusiasts. Visit the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and then drive along Fayette Station Road on your own. The hairpin curves of this century-old road lead to the gorge’s bottom.
Michigan
One of the best-kept autumn foliage secrets in the nation is the forest landscape of northern Michigan. When contrasted with the deep azure of Lake Superior. The vibrant hues of the golden birch, scarlet maple, and bronze oak leaves are even more spectacular.
Visit the Tahquamenon Falls for a breathtaking waterfall sight and take a hike through the park for colorful sights. Hiking paths wind through an untamed forest in Porcupine Mountains State Park near Ontonagon. The path ends with a view of Lake of the Clouds, where the water’s stunning reflection of autumnal hues can be seen. The Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route is one of the most famous routes to take in Michigan to see the fall colors.
Virginia
The legendary trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway through the pulsing center of Appalachia is a mood for autumn. It’s a fantastic and uncommon sight. The parkway is a 469-mile stretch of beautiful, winding roadways that connects Cherokee, North Carolina, and Waynesboro, Virginia. Mabry Mill, located at milepost 176, is one of the parkway’s most popular photo locations.
The early 1900s timber mill still has a water wheel working and millers grinding flour. The trees surrounding the mill change color in October, allowing it a fantastic photo opportunity. At milepost 302.8, a 1.5-mile hike called Rough Ridge leads to a mesmerizing rock that feels straight out of The Lion King.
At 4,700 feet above sea level, a rock rises to the mountain’s summit. Craggy Pinnacle, a little under two miles away and through what seems to be a picture-book forest, is set at milepost 364.1. You will ascend stone stairs and pass by rhododendrons to a final set of stairs leading to a 360-degree vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains, even though the trail is not particularly picturesque.
New Mexico
“Fields of gold” take on a new meaning in autumn in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You will become lost layer upon layer of deep yellow aspen leaves, shaking in the high desert wind, as opposed to a diversified mix of hardwood trees.
You may get up close and personal with this mesmerizing fall color show by hiking the 12-mile round trip Aspen Vista Trail near Santa Fe. Or you can drive the High Road from Sangre de Cristo to the Rocky Mountains to enjoy the countryside and the small historic villages along the way. Make sure to pause and take in the 13,102-foot-high canyon vistas across Truchas Park. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is an 80-mile loop that begins and finishes in Taos. And is a gorgeous place to view fall colors in New Mexico, is in the Carson National Forest.
New Hampshire
On the 36-mile Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. You will find maples, alders, and birches in dazzling reds and oranges. And, you won’t want to miss a single pull-off along the gorgeous trip through the White Mountain National Forest.
The Lake Winnipesaukee loop circles the biggest lake in New Hampshire for 65 to 100 miles. Also, stop at the villages along the way for artist crafts, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and other fall activities. Now the lake makes for stunning photo opportunities. Why not view moose and fall foliage at the same time? You will almost spot some of the state’s moose along the 75-mile road known as Moose Alley. And it is believed that there are 6,000 of them! Early morning and around dusk are the ideal times to spot moose. Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.
