Grab your scarf and camera—it’s leaf peeping season! While you can enjoy stunning fall foliage all over the USA, New England is especially famous for its vibrant autumn colors.
Check out our US Fall Foliage guide to discover the best times and spots for stunning autumn scenes. It’s a must-do in September and October!
Fall’s vibrant leaves can show up anytime from August to November, depending on the location and tree types. Head north earlier in the season to catch the best views.
To catch the best fall colors, use a foliage map! We’ve been using one for years at O. Christine for photography and planning trips. It’s free!
Check out this fall foliage map from SmokyMountains.com. It’s been a go-to for almost a decade! Use the slider below to track leaf changes by week.
Is the fall foliage map accurate? SmokeyMountains.com is very confident in their data and algorithm. With their experience and a mid-season update, they trust this year’s predictions.
Looking for the best US spots to enjoy fall’s vibrant colors for an unforgettable vacation?
Looking for stunning autumn views? Check out these 17 states with beautiful fall foliage, plus our top picks in each!
1. New England States
New England is the go-to spot for fall foliage in the USA. The best time to catch the leaves is mid-September to mid-October, with northern areas peaking in early October.
Leaf Peeping in Vermont
A top fall getaway in the US is Vermont, famed for its stunning leaf peeping. Must-visit spots include Stowe, the Green Mountain Byway, and Manchester for vibrant fall foliage.
Combine a Vermont leaf-peeping adventure with a trip to Burlington and bike the Greenway along Lake Champlain—it’s a choice you won’t regret!
Leaf peeping in New Hampshire
Next to Vermont is New Hampshire, equally stunning with its own charms. Visit the Kancamagus Highway and White Mountain National Forest for breathtaking views.
Leaf peeping in Massachusetts
The Berkshires is the go-to spot for fall foliage in Massachusetts. Drive the Mohawk Trail, hike the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and snap plenty of pictures!
Leaf peeping in Maine
Maine’s autumn splendor is a must-see! Explore Acadia National Park in early October for stunning fall foliage or take a road trip through the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway in Western Maine for a picturesque drive.
Leaf peeping in Connecticut
Planning a fall trip to Connecticut? You’ll love it! Enjoy the vibrant fall festivals and stunning autumn leaves.
For the best leaf peeping in the state, visit Litchfield Hills.
Leaf peeping in Rhode Island
Fall leaves look stunning against water, don’t they? For amazing autumn views in Rhode Island, check out the Blackstone River Valley!
Enjoy the fiery autumn leaves and the flowing Blackstone River while you’re there.
2. New York
Mid-October is the perfect time to see fall foliage in New York, with many stunning spots to explore.
The Catskills offer hiking, biking, driving, and ziplining through fall leaves. In Northern New York, explore the Adirondacks’ trails for a different adventure.
Letchworth State Park, in the west, offers stunning fall foliage, breathtaking waterfalls, hot air balloons, and scenic autumn hikes.
3. Virginia
For stunning fall foliage in the USA, head to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
You can hike or bike through the leaves, but the best way to see the fall colors is by driving the 105-mile Skyline Drive. Be sure to stop by the Luray Caverns for a unique experience—it’s an O. Christine favorite!
4. North Carolina
Similar to Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular fall road trip in the USA, with peak foliage in mid-October.
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains.
You’ll enjoy the fall beauty of two national parks in one drive!
For a cozy small-town fall experience, visit Asheville, North Carolina. Its charm will captivate you even without the colorful autumn leaves, but those vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows add an extra touch of magic.
5. Tennessee
Nature doesn’t recognize borders, so the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans both North Carolina and Tennessee!
The Blue Ridge Parkway may end in North Carolina, but you can still enjoy Tennessee’s fall foliage with a drive along the Foothills Parkway.
Peak fall colors in Tennessee appear mid to late October. For a great view, try hiking trails like Sugarland Mountain or Lower Mount Cammerer.
6. California
California’s size means fall often lasts longer there, depending on the region.
California’s peak leaf-peeping season is mid-October to early November. The Sierra Nevada Mountains offer the best fall foliage!
7. Washington
Most people think New England is the go-to for fall foliage, but the Pacific Northwest’s lush greenery offers stunning views too.
Washington offers amazing fall foliage at spots like Mount Rainier, Leavenworth, and the Olympic Peninsula, which all reach their peak colors in mid-October.
8. Oregon
Oregon is a top spot for experiencing fall in the Pacific Northwest. Among its many beautiful places, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area stands out as truly breathtaking.
The landscape, with its fall leaves and waterfalls, feels straight out of a fairytale!
9. Missouri
Most of the Ozark National Forest is in Missouri, making it a top spot for fall foliage in the U.S., with peak colors in mid-October.
You can drive the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop or hike to Hawksbill Crag to enjoy the fall colors.
10. Michigan
Tucked in the Great Lakes, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula boasts some of the USA’s best fall foliage, peaking in late September.
For a touch of autumn adventure, a scenic hike in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is perfect, but don’t miss the breathtaking drive through the famous Tree Tunnel!
11. New Mexico
New Mexico shows off its fall colors from mid-October to mid-November, with earlier glimpses as a backdrop for Albuquerque’s hot air balloon festival.
For a vibrant New Mexico experience, visit Carson or Santa Fe National Forest.
12. Colorado
Colorado is an epic year-round destination for outdoor fun, with stunning scenery and adventures from winter to summer—and fall is just as amazing.
Check out Aspen, the San Juan Mountains, Maroon Bells, or Rocky Mountain National Park for incredible hikes and stunning fall foliage!
Which destinations do you think have the Best Fall Foliage in the USA?
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Which US fall destination would you pick? No matter your choice, you’re sure to have a great time!
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