Every fall, my family piled into our station wagon and set out from suburban Boston to view the foliage in northern New England. I still have a shoebox full of the home movies my father shot on those weekend outings; the grainy, jouncy footage shows a succession of white band stands, weathered barns, mom-and-pop roadside motels, and my sister doing cartwheels in swirls of falling leaves.

Even then, I got the message that while New Hampshire and Maine were indeed pretty (and, bonus points, had amusement parks with trained bears and pet-able deer), Vermont鈥攑ristine, billboard-free, and broad-vistaed鈥攚as the gold and orange and crimson standard of leaf peepery. It turns out it wasn鈥檛 just my family鈥檚 opinion. There鈥檚 solid science to back that up.

Things to Know About Vermont鈥檚 Fall Foliage

A combination of factors makes Vermont foliage hard to beat in North America, according to William Keeton, a professor of forest ecology and forestry at the University of Vermont, in Burlington. For starters, more than three-quarters of the state is forested鈥攁nd one out of four trees are showoff-y maples. A riot of species comprise the other 75 percent.

鈥淲e have such diversity here: American beech, yellow and paper birch, red oak, white ash, poplars, willows, aspen, alder, and others鈥攁nd they each yield different colors,鈥� Keeton says. 鈥淭hen there鈥檚 the diversity of the topography, with different elevations and aspects and landforms, and different climate conditions that influence foliage timing and intensity. The result is a mosaic of color that鈥檚 quite breathtaking.鈥�

This magic triggers in late summer by the onset of cooler nights and shorter days, signaling chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows trees to create energy from light, to dissipate. When it does, the leaves鈥� true colors emerge in what Keeton calls 鈥渢he great reveal.鈥�

Vividness varies from year to year, depending on rainfall, temperatures, and other factors leading up to the season. While scientists are concerned that climate change may be leading to a dulling, shortening, or shifting of the foliage period, they admit that the exact recipe for optimal color remains a mystery.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of what makes it so fun and exciting,鈥� Keeton says. 鈥淲e never know how it鈥檚 going to play out.鈥�

What is certain is that the technicolor wave starts in northern Vermont in the highest elevations around mid-September and and ends in the valleys in the southern part of the state sometime in mid-to-late October. You can watch it as it unfolds with a or you can just get in the car and drive. Here are nine of the most beautiful places to check out Vermont鈥檚 big show.

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1. Underhill

You could join the masses in Stowe and ascend Mount Mansfield, Vermont鈥檚 highest peak, by car, gondola, or foot. But for a less congested approach, consider starting in Underhill, on the mountain鈥檚 western flank. A rewarding roughly five-mile loop follows the Frost Trail to the more challenging Maple Ridge Trail and a rocky scramble up to Mansfield鈥檚 鈥淔orehead,鈥� then descends via the mellower Butler Lodge Trail through hardwood forest. Find more bliss back in Underhill鈥檚 Pleasant Valley, where a 20-mile gravel and paved bike loop winds through a wonder of silo-studded farmland backed by Mansfield鈥檚 snaking ridgeline.

Don鈥檛 Miss: , a self-service bakery near Underhill Center, selling sweet (maple cream!) and savory (pulled pork mac-n-cheese!) pies.

2. Shelburne

, a 1400-acre education nonprofit, was founded by a Vanderbilt heir in the late 19th century as an agricultural showplace. Walk the pastoral grounds along the Lake Champlain shoreline and past the grand estate house turned inn, and visit the Farm Barn, where听 cheesemakers produce award-winning cheddar (my go-to is their clothbound variety) with milk from the resident Brown Swiss herd. Then head south to hundred-year-old and its diminutive 968-foot namesake peak. The summit trail was recently improved with stone stairways; the killer view of farms, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks remains the same.

Don鈥檛 Miss: The ridgetop , in nearby Monkton, for you-pick apples and their signature Dreamee, that is, maple soft serve ice cream atop a warm cider donut.

3. East Burke

The renowned Kingdom Trails 100-mile mountain bike network, carved out of private land in the state鈥檚 rugged Northeast Kingdom, celebrates its 30th anniversary with three new trails in the Kitchell area, including Drop It!, a triple black diamond with jumps and drops. When and if you鈥檙e ready to get off the bike, make the 15-mile drive north to cold, deep Lake Willoughby, a fjord-like glacial gash between the sheer flanks of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor; trails on both peaks lead to magnificent overlooks.

Know Before You Go: Most of the bike center鈥檚 trails and roads damaged by two bouts of flooding rains in July have been repaired, but check for updates.

4. Waitsfield

The funky, slow 1948 single chairlift at the co-op-owned cranks up for foliage viewing on three consecutive weekends starting September 28 and costs just $20 ($15 for kids and seniors) to partake. Once you reach the summit, head north or south for an out-and-back ramble on the ridgeline . For a different perspective on the Mad River Valley, make your way to nearby Fayston to saddle up for a guided trail ride (from $133) on country roads and through open meadows.

Don鈥檛 Miss: , just off Route 100, serving stellar IPAs, including their flagship Sip O鈥� Sunshine, in a soaring post-and-beam taproom with a mountain-view outdoor patio.

5. Windsor

Mount Ascutney, an isolated 3,144-foot monadnock, dominates the landscape in the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River, where I live. You can pedal or drive the narrow 1930s Mount Ascutney Parkway or hike the five-mile round-trip Weathersfield trail to get to the top, but since the summit is mainly forested, you鈥檒l want to climb the 25-foot observation tower for the 360-degree, Green and White Mountains panorama. Back in the valley, book a self-guided canoe or kayak trip with ; they鈥檒l shuttle you and your chosen craft to a put-in on the broad Connecticut (from $43).

Don鈥檛 Miss: The 1866 Cornish-Windsor bridge, the longest wooden covered span in the United States, connecting Vermont to New Hampshire.

6. Woodstock

With its flawless brick-front shops and whitewashed historic homes, Woodstock is la-la land Vermont. And sometimes that鈥檚 what you want鈥攅ven if it means dodging tour groups. I like to take in the tidy village from the top of Mount Tom, either by hustling up the heavily used Faulkner Trail or by taking the longer Pogue route, which begins on Victorian-age carriage roads in Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Mount Peg, another in-town peak, has 16 miles of woods and meadow trails co-managed by the Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association and the , where you can spend the night. (Rooms from $669).

Know Before You Go: After being overrun by social media followers vying for shots of the ridiculously scenic Sleepy Hollow Farm, Cloudland Road is closed from September 25 through October 16 to all but residents.

7. Manchester

Stately 19th century homes, flanked in the west by soaring 3,848-foot Mount Equinox, the highest peak in the Taconic range, and yes, a strip of designer apparel outlet stores, make this southern Vermont shire town a hot spot for visitors. You can drive to the top of Equinox on the serpentine five-mile toll road or hike up on the relentlessly steep Blue Summit trail through forests of beech, yellow birch, and maple. For more level miles, walk the landscaped grounds of Hildene, the 1905 summer estate of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 son and the president of the Pullman Palace Car Company.

Know Before You Go: Hildene鈥檚 Many Voices exhibit chronicling the lives of the Black Pullman porters is the southernmost stop on the , which takes you to historical and cultural sites that explore the stories of Black Vermonters.

8. Bennington

It鈥檚 no surprise that this is Robert Frost country; the poet is buried in the Old First Church cemetery near the curved white picket fences and stately homes of sugar maple-lined Monument Avenue. A 20-mile loop drive through North Bennington and Shaftsbury takes you past Frostian covered bridges and old stone walls. Make time to stop at the , the poet鈥檚 home for most of the 1920s, where readings, lectures and workshops are held throughout the fall. . From there, the gently sloping two-mile Robert Frost trail traverses his old apple orchard and leads to Lake Paran, with inspiring views along the way of the Berkshires, Taconics, and Greens.听

Don鈥檛 Miss: The classic 1948听 , saved from post-Covid closure by a nostalgic Bennington College alum. The menu features lots of vegetarian options, but let鈥檚 be honest, post-leaf-peeping moments usually call for a Reuben.

9. Newfane

The town green in this tiny village is at the center of an extraordinary collection of architectural gems, including a columned Greek Revival courthouse and inn, two imposing Gothic Revival churches, and a brick Romanesque bank. Grab snacks at the 1822 Newfane Country Store, then head east to the for a low-key woodland stroll or run to the wide-open summit. You鈥檒l have the company of birdwatchers participating in the annual Hawk Watch; every autumn, thousands of migrating hawks and other raptors can be seen riding the ridgeline thermals.

Know Before You Go: Newfane鈥檚 adorableness peaks on October 12 and 13 during its , when local volunteers sell (by the slice or whole) the more than 200 apple pies they baked for the occasion.

The post The 9 Best Places to View Vermont鈥檚 Fall Foliage in All Its Glory appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The big ones you already know: Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia, Yosemite. All of these national parks have well-documented fall-foliage displays. They鈥檙e stunning, but the crowds can be stunning, too.

So, let鈥檚 spread the love. Here are nine national parks that have managed to fly under the leaf-peeping radar while boasting an autumn display that rivals that of the big hitters.

1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is named for the 鈥渃rooked river,鈥� as it was known by the Lenape, the indigenous tribe that called the area home in the 1600s and 1700s. It may be the most amazing park you鈥檝e never seen. Does it have towering peaks? No. But it protects a lush river valley between Cleveland and Akron that is loaded with waterfalls, mossy cliffs, historical sites, and a hardwood forest that absolutely pops come fall.

It’s also a comeback story I celebrate. In the mid-1900s, the Cuyahoga River was a cautionary tale, actually catching fire at least a dozen times from pollution. The last such fire, in 1969, was so devastating it sparked creation the next year of the first Earth Day and the Environmental Protection Agency. Today that once-abused waterway is part of a flourishing national park of over 33,000 acres of river valley, wetlands, farmland, and rolling hills.

Peak Color: Show up in the middle of October. You can expect the sugar and red maples to turn first, with displays of red, yellow, and orange, while the white oaks follow, turning a deep, rich brown. Bonus: in early October, the New England aster wildflower blooms purple along the towpath trail, where in the 1800s mules pulled boats up and down the Erie Canal.

The Best Way to See Foliage: , a 100-mile crushed-gravel trail that once carried goods and passengers between Lake Erie and the Eastern U.S., is now the playground of hikers, runners, and cyclists. Twenty miles of the towpath, between the Lock 39 and Botzum trailheads, reside inside the national park. Ride this section and you鈥檒l pass through small towns and Beaver Marsh, a hotspot of wildlife viewing.

You can purchase a on the scenic railway to go out and return by bike on a 13-mile stretch of the towpath between the Akron North station and Peninsula Depot through October ($5 per person). has bike rentals (from $60 a day).

There are 125 miles of trail in Cuyahoga, but the 2.5-mile loop is a must-hike, as it follows a tall band of sandstone cliffs covered in moss. You鈥檒l have the chance to scramble 听up and over boulders, but the trail also puts you deep into a forest alive with color. Look for the yellows of hazelnut trees.

2. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

The 14,410-foot Mount Rainier, a volcano adorned with white glaciers, is the obvious focal point of this 236,000-acre national park. While every season offers a different reason to visit, I鈥檇 argue that fall is the best, or at least the most colorful. And it has nothing to do with the trees.

Sure, the deciduous forests change in September, but most of the color in Rainier comes from the shrubs and ground cover that blanket the vast meadows surrounding that famous three-summited mountain amid 26 glaciers. Mount Rainier is full of elderberry and huckleberry bushes, as well as vine maples, all of which turn different shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn.

Peak Color: Aim for the beginning of October, as snow begins to descend on the park towards the end of the month.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Hike the around Reflection Lake, which is famous for holding the mirror image of Mount Rainier on calm, clear days. The two main tarns on this trail are flanked by subalpine meadows with a variety of shrubs and wildflowers that change colors in the fall. You鈥檒l also see some mountain ash turning yellow within the dense evergreen forest on the edge of the water.

For bigger views and an abundance of color, the 5.5-mile has long-range vistas of the area鈥檚 most famous volcanoes, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, while also passing through expansive stretches of huckleberry and vine maple, which are turning red and orange.

3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

I know what you鈥檙e thinking: West Texas is the desert, man. No trees. While it鈥檚 true that Guadalupe Mountains National Park occupies 86,000 acres of dusty, high-desert terrain best known for cactus and towering buttes, the place is also home to forests of deciduous trees that undergo the same transformation as the better-known hardwood forests of the East and Midwest.

The higher elevations in the park receive twice as much rain as the desert floor, creating a more diverse habitat that includes oaks, maples, and ash trees as well as a few aspens, all mixed in with ponderosa pines and Douglas firs.

Fall foliage is easy to find in a place like Vermont, where trees are literally everywhere, but you鈥檒l have to work for it in Guadalupe Mountains; every foliage focal point requires at least a short hike, but the effort is part of the appeal as you move through dusty canyons into high alpine forests.

Peak Color: Fall comes surprisingly late in Guadalupe Mountains, with trees starting to change in mid October and hitting their peak towards the end of the month. The first week of November can also deliver bright hues.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Hike the 15.2-mile out-and-back (or a shorter variation) which has the greatest concentration of fall color in the entire park. The trail follows the canyon floor, tracing the edge of a small, clear creek for four miles before steepening to climb up and out of the canyon to McKittrick Ridge. You鈥檒l gain 2,700 feet of elevation, most of which comes during that two-mile rise.

Make it to the dense forest of Pratt Canyon, 4.7 miles in, or hike all the way to McKittrick Ridge and a view of the canyon in its entirety, as it splays out in a mix of fall color and tan desert floor.

4. Zion National Park, Utah

Zion can hardly be considered an 鈥渦nderrated鈥� park (as opposed to being one of the lesser-visited national parks, it was the third-most-so in 2023, with 4,623,238 visits), but the element of surprise is that few people think of this desert oasis as a hotbed of fall color. It is. I鈥檝e visited the park in the spring and summer on a number of occasions, and really want to see it 听during fall, when the oaks and maples scattered throughout various canyons turn shades of orange and red.

The Virgin River, which runs through Zion鈥檚 entrance and carves the iconic canyon at the heart of the park, is surrounded by cottonwoods that turn bright yellow. The crowds are typically thinner, too, as the summer-rush people are back to school and work.

Peak Color: Trees at higher elevations will start turning in September, but the best color in the park goes from late October into early November.

The Best Way to See Foliage: You鈥檒l spot the cottonwoods along the Virgin River as you enter the park, but for a bird鈥檚-eye view of the foliage, hike the mile-long on the east side of Zion, which traverses a relatively flat expanse of sandstone to an outcropping with an all-encompassing view. From your lofty perch, the main arm of Zion Canyon looks as if it鈥檚 carpeted by yellow cottonwoods.

5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

I鈥檓 embarrassed to admit that I鈥檝e never explored Congaree National Park, even though it鈥檚 only a few hours from my home, in Asheville, North Carolina. But I need to rectify the omission, because by all accounts, Congaree is a one-of-a-kind landscape that is home to some of the most impressive trees in the country. The national park protects the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast, with stands of 500-year-old bald cypress trees, loblolly pines that stretch 165 feet in the air, and towering elm, oaks, tupelos, and sweet gums.

In the fall, most of those massive old trees put on a show, with the tupelos turning red and gold and oaks deepening into reds. Even the bald cypress get in on the action. The species is best known for its knobby 鈥渒nees,鈥� roots that rise above the dark water of Congaree鈥檚 Cedar Creek, but these giant trees are deciduous conifers with leaves that turn cinnamon and orange.

The park is small, just 26,000 acres, and best explored by canoe or paddleboard, as the Congaree and Water rivers merge here to create an extensive floodplain that dominates the terrain.

Peak Color: Fall hits late, beginning at about the end of October and running into November. This also happens to be the best time to visit Congaree, as temps are mild (up to the 70s), bugs scarce, and the water levels ideal for paddling.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Explore the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail from Bannister鈥檚 Bridge to the Congaree River. The current is essentially non-existent, so you can choose your own out-and-back adventure. If you want to go with a local, runs guided trips into Congaree ($100 per person). And while you鈥檙e here for the trees and color, keep an eye out for otters, turtles, and the occasional gator in the water too. Congaree is also a hotbed of woodpecker activity, with all eight southern species found in the park.

6. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Named for the French-Canadian fur traders that used to travel through the area in birchbark canoes, the 218,000-acre Voyageurs National Park is comprised mostly of lakes: four big ones鈥擱ainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sandy Point鈥攁nd 26 small ones. There are also 500 islands and 650 miles of shoreline ripe with fall color in September, as stands of aspen, basswood, oaks, maples, and birch trees shake up the green forest palate of spruce and fir. I like the idea of paddling a canoe surrounded by a forest canopy ablaze in red and orange.

Voyageurs is situated against the Canadian border at a high enough latitude for visitors occasionally to glimpse the aurora borealis. Your chances of seeing these mystical northern lights increases in the fall as nights grow longer and darker. The University of Alaska operates a service that the activity of the lights up to a month in advance.

Voyageurs is also an International Dark Sky Certified Park, so whether or not you can see the northern lights, clear nights reveal a cornucopia of stars above.

Peak Color: Aspens and birch trees begin to turn yellow in the middle of September, and the oaks and maples follow with reds and oranges as we move into October. Aim for the end of September or beginning of October for the most color. Keep in mind that while the park is open year round, the Rainy Lake Visitor Center is the only visitor center operating into October. The other two close at the end of September.

The Best Way to See Foliage: For a quick immersion in fall color, hike the 1.7-mile , which starts at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and loops through a hardwood forest on mostly flat trail via double track and skinny boardwalk over marshy sections. You鈥檒l also get views of marsh grass shimmering in the wind leading to Rainy Lake itself. If you want to go out on the water, the park service runs a 2.5-hour , which cruises the island-studded Rainy Lake seeking out wildlife and delivering postcard-worthy views ($50 per adult).

7. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska

In a state that鈥檚 absolutely crammed with dramatic public landscapes, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve often gets overlooked. Its neighbor Katmai National Park, after all, is home to the cutest bears on the internet. But Lake Clark has much splendor of its own, from sheer granite-walled peaks to ice-blue glaciers and wildlife worthy of any safari. (Grizzlies! Moose! Caribou! Otters!)

Lake Clark is located just 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, but relative to other national parks, gets a scant 200,000 visitors a year. Credit the lack of roads; the only way to access the park is via aircraft or boat.

Peak Color: Fall is by far the best time to visit Lake Clark, and by fall, I mean September, as the snow typically begins in October here. Hit the park during the three- to four-week window, and you鈥檒l see groves of birch trees turning gold amid their conifer neighbors, as lakeside lowland shrubs go orange and red. Fall is also berry season (look for cranberries and blueberries), and bears are particularly active, foraging for food in anticipation of hibernating through winter.

Lake Clark itself is 42 miles long and five miles wide. The tiny Port Alsworth (pop: 130) sits on the east side of the lake, serving as the gateway town to the park, and has its only visitor center. The National Park Service maintains of air taxis with permits to fly into the park if you want to venture deeper into the terrain.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Maintained day-hike trails are scarce in Lake Clark, but the four-mile out-and-back offers convenient access and a bevy of fall color. The hike begins on the edge of Port Alsworth and passes through stands of birch trees to Tanalian Falls, a 30-foot beauty that drops over lava rock, all surrounded by spruce and birch forest. Turn this hike into a loop by taking the Beaver Pond Trail back to the trailhead, hitting more golden-hued birches as you meander past a small beaver pond.

8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

I鈥檓 convinced Theodore Roosevelt National Park would be more appreciated if it were located closer to larger cities. The Dakotas are among the most interesting states in the Midwest, and this park is a highlight. The 70,000-acre park protects a landscape in transition, where the great plains meet the canyons of the badlands. It鈥檚 divided into three sections鈥擲outh Unit, Elkhorn Ranch Unit, and the North Unit鈥攕titched together by the Little Missouri River.

The North Unit has the deepest canyons and most remote trails, the Elkhorn Ranch Unit preserves Teddy Roosevelt鈥檚 hunting cabin, and the South Unit blends broad, grassy plains with wide river gorges. You鈥檒l find beautiful foliage throughout the park, as the Little Missouri River is shrouded in a cottonwood forest. You鈥檙e also almost guaranteed to see some epic wildlife, too; big species like feral horses, elk, and bison roam free.

Peak Color: Shoot for mid-September to mid-October for the most vibrant colors. Trees in the North Unit tend to shift earlier, while the South Unit pulls up the rear in the middle of October.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Is it lame to recommend a scenic drive? Not when it鈥檚 the 28-mile Scenic Drive in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The byway rambles through grassland and the tan-colored badlands, with pullouts that feature views of rock outcroppings and canyons and the Missouri River aglow with cottonwoods. Stretch your legs on the Achenbach Trail, a 2.4-mile out and back that leads through grassland (keep an eye out for bison) and ends at an overlook that takes in a bend in the Little Missouri.

9. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Way out in eastern Nevada, close to Utah, Great Basin National Park protects 77,180 acres of scrubby desert, caves, and imposing peaks. It鈥檚 not the most obvious fall-foliage destination, but a legit one, and you鈥檒l likely have it all to yourself: Great Basin only gets 140,000 visitors per year. Rest assured, that low attendance is strictly a factor of location (Great Basin is far from everything), because the landscape is destination-worthy, from the craggy 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak to the underground world of Lehman Cave. As for foliage, picture groves of aspens turning shining gold.

Peak Color: Great Basin is a higher-elevation park, so aspens begin to turn in the middle of September and are typically done by mid-October.

The Best Way to See Foliage: Cruise the 12-mile long Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which gains 4,000 feet from the park entrance to the flank of the mountain it is named for. The way passes through a variety of different habitats, from sagebrush to evergreen conifers, and by the 10,000 feet, you鈥檒l drive through so many colorful aspens you鈥檇 almost think you鈥檙e in the Rocky Mountains. At the end of the scenic drive, hike the 6.4-mile , which passes through a high-elevation meadow and delivers you into a dense grove of the aspens.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He lives in the Southern Appalachians, a hotbed of leaf-peeping activity. Fall is his favorite season for bike rides and trail runs, largely because of the technicolor backdrop in his backyard.听

For more by this author:

9 Beautiful Mountain Towns in the Southeast

The 10 Best Bike Towns in America, Ranked

8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture

The post 9 Most Underrated National Parks for Incredible Fall Foliage appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Nothing beats a mountain slope ablaze with fall color. I know there鈥檚 a scientific explanation for the phenomenon鈥攃hlorophyll production stops, carotenoids take over鈥攂ut I believe the leaf transformation is Mother Nature鈥檚 greatest magic trick, when she turns a canvas of green into sparkling hues of red, orange, and yellow.

Living in North Carolina鈥檚 Blue Ridge mountains, I am a lifelong leaf watcher, and have found nine mountain towns that are smack dab in the middle of the magic. Each gives you easy access to scenery and adventures, but also offers good food, comfortable digs, and a chance to make the most out of the season鈥攖hink brisk fall hikes, pumping bike rides, and Oktoberfests.

1. Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Named after a cliff overlooking a gorge where wind seems to blow upward, the small, tourist-centric town of Blowing Rock is sandwiched within the lush slopes of the Southern Appalachians, which are incredibly green in the summer but come alive with color in fall as the hardwoods show off in reds, oranges, and yellows. The small town has a walkable, quaint village vibe, but is surrounded by some of the most rugged peaks in the East.

Peak Season: Blowing Rock sits at around 4,000 feet, and fall color tends to peak in mid to late October here, although you鈥檒l still find color in early November. Sugar Mountain Ski Resort hosts an the weekend of October 7 to 8, and the annual , which has a caterpillar race that prophesies the length of winter, runs October 21 and 22.

What to do in Blowing Rock

Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway: Running for 469 miles between Virginia鈥檚 Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a bucket-list destination for a scenic drive or epic mountain pedal. I think one of the prettiest sections of the two-lane paved road is near Blowing Rock. Whether you鈥檙e pedaling or driving, plan to traverse the , a 1,234-foot- bridge that hovers along the edge of Grandfather Mountain, delivering epic long-range views. From Blowing Rock, make a 20-mile loop by heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 10 miles, crossing the viaduct, and taking Highway 221 north back to town.

Hike Grandfather Mountain: The five-mile out-and-back journey on is a mix of hiking, rock scrambling, and ladder climbing as you make your way up and over three distinct 5,000-foot peaks along the mountain. It鈥檚 a vertical adventure and one of my favorite trails in the South. In just over two miles gaining 1,500 feet, you鈥檒l get unmatched views of the surrounding 5,000- and 6,000-foot peaks of North Carolina鈥檚 High Country.

Stay: Treat yourself with a room and some hands-on relaxation at , a resort and spa operating out of a historic Greek Revival mansion on a 42-acre mountain top outside of Blowing Rock. (From $250 a night, with a three-night minimum during leaf season.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The southern fair at , a casual restaurant and bottle shop on Blowing Rock鈥檚 Main Street that focuses on home-grown ingredients. Try the Cilantro Trout Nachos.

2. Salt Lake City, Utah

OK, Salt Lake is a city (population 200,478), but it鈥檚 a mountain city, with access to eight canyons dropping off the adjacent Wasatch Mountains and loaded with white-trunked aspens with leaves that turn bright yellow during fall. The leaf peeping begins right in the heart of town, where parks hold stands of old-growth trees, but you want to spend most of your time exploring the tree-lined gorges that descend from the mountains east of the valley.

Peak Season: Hit it from mid-September through mid-October to see the aspens pop. Snowbird Resort hosts an ongoing celebration, complete with lederhosen and beer steins, every weekend from August 12 to October 15. You can also try to catch a football game at the University of Utah鈥檚 Rice Eccles Stadium.

What to do Around Salt Lake City

Pedal Big Cottonwood Canyon: The 15-mile-long State Road 190 climbs through the heart of Big Cottonwood Canyon, ascending almost 4,000 feet from Salt Lake to Brighton Ski Resort. It鈥檚 a popular scenic drive in the fall when the aspens are popping, but also a badass road-cycling route with plenty of long-range views and rest stops at picnic areas. You鈥檒l contend with some 13 percent climbs, but remember this is an out-and-back, so anything you climb, you get to bomb, including the dramatic 鈥淪 Curve鈥� switchback in the middle of the route. Keep an eye out for moose.

Run the Wasatch Crest Trail: This high-alpine singletrack has near-constant 360-degree views as it rolls between 7,000 and 10,000 feet from Big Cottonwood Canyon all the way to Park City. It鈥檚 one of the most popular mountain-bike trails in Utah, but tackling it as a trail run might give you more opportunity to soak in the big views. You can form a loop from the top of Millcreek Canyon via the Big Water Trail, Desolation Lake Trail, , and Red Pine Trail that will take you through a number of aspen groves before and after topping out on the Crest.

Stay: The evo Hotel, in the Granary District, a now thriving former industrial zone, doesn鈥檛 just have comfy rooms but a bouldering gym, yoga classes, and regular film nights. From $163 a night.

Don鈥檛 Miss: is also located in the Granary District, and specializes in lagers perfect for drinking on a crisp fall afternoon. They have a Bavarian-style Helles on tap all year long, but I say go all in on the seasonal schtick with their Bavarian Dunkel Lager, a malty, dark beer with notes of chocolate.

3. Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is best known for its winter activities鈥攎ainly alpine and nordic skiing鈥攂ut this picturesque village at the base of Mount Mansfield absolutely sings with activity and color in the fall. Most of the forest surrounding the town of 5,000 consists of hardwoods, dominated by sugar maples that turn fire red, with beech and birch trees in shades of yellow and orange.

Peak Season: The hardwoods begin turning in the middle of September and typically peak in mid-October. The Trapp Family Lodge, of the famed musical von Trapp family from Austria, hosts an on September 16 this year, while the annual in which people build catapults and hurl pumpkins for distance, will be on October 1.

What to do in Stowe, Vermont

Hike the Mansfield Traverse: This has you climbing up Stowe Mountain Resort鈥檚 Haselton Trail to the top of Mansfield鈥檚 Nose before zipping along the ridgeline and descending the Long Trail into Smugglers鈥� Notch State Park. The climbing is arduous, but you earn 360-degree views of the Green Mountains in their fall splendor.

Mountain Bike Cady Hill Forest: For an easy pedal, stick to the 5.5-mile Stowe Recreation Path, a paved greenway that cruises along the West Branch of the Little River through the farm country north of town. For singletrack, veer off the Stowe Rec Path and head to , where 11 miles of purpose-built trails flow through a canvas of technicolor leaves. The nearly mile-long descent on Florence, with its banked turns, rollers, and tabletops, is the standout trail in the forest.

Stay: There鈥檚 no shortage of quality lodges and resorts in and around Stowe, but I like the vibe at , designed with adventure in mind. It offers bike storage, a yoga room, and direct access to the Little River and the Stowe Rec Path. (From $150.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The apple cider. Fall means more than just pretty leaves in Vermont. It means ripe apples. , a working cider mill, has become a destination for those who want to see how cider is made while also sampling the goods. There鈥檚 a restaurant on site, too; get a grilled panini with local cheddar and cider jelly.

4. Taos, New Mexico

Don鈥檛 let the high-desert location fool you; there are plenty of hardwoods in these hills. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are packed with stands of aspen trees turning yellow and orange in the fall, sticking out like splotches of paint against the backdrop of evergreens. Go lower in the valley, and the cottonwoods are turning yellow. I spent a weekend fly fishing streams around Taos one fall several years ago and was blown away by the color surrounding me. Meanwhile,听 restaurants, such as a local favorite called the Love Apple, make the most of autumn harvests, while the brims with apples, greens, gourds, and nuts.

Peak Season: Leaves begin to change in the middle of September, and color will peak in mid-October, lingering into November. Get your timing right and you can hit the annual in nearby Red River (October 6 to 8), which is complete with German food and music.

What to do in Taos, New Mexico

Raft the Rio Grande: There鈥檚 some serious whitewater nearby as the Rio Grande rages through the Taos Box Canyon, but there鈥檚 also serious foliage to be seen on the mellow stretches of the famous river. Sign up for a of the Orilla Verde section of the Rio Grande ($65 per adult) where the water meanders past stands of cottonwoods in full glory. Trips run into the middle of October.

Take a Scenic Drive: Highway 64, an 80-mile byway from Taos to Tierra Amarilla, features a number of pullouts overlooking the Brazos Cliffs, which are flanked by golden aspens. Also be sure to stop at Garcia Park, inside where a high-elevation meadow is ringed by aspens, and the higher peaks of Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area dominate the skyline.

Stay: has a handful of cabins and tipis on a 40-acre farm north of Taos (from $119 for tipis; from $129 for cabins). The goji berries for which it is named are harvested in the summer, but the farm also features pumpkin patches and apple orchards, not to mention barrel saunas set beneath the hardwoods.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Angel Fire Resort runs a on weekends in the fall ($20 per adult), carrying you to the top of the 10,677-foot peak of the same name, for views of the entire Moreno Valley and Wheeler Peak beyond. From the top, you can take your pick of hiking trails down.

5. New Paltz, New York

This vibrant college town (go SUNY Hawks!) sits on the edge of the Shawangunk Ridge within the Catskill Mountains, just 90 miles from New York City. The terrain is a mix of rocky crags, steep mountains, and Hudson River farmland, most of which is shrouded in tufts of hardwoods that turn it on each fall. Much of the land surrounding this town of 7,500 is protected as either a state park or preserve and open to the public.

Peak Season: The colors tend to peak between early and mid-October, as the red oaks, maples, and dogwoods shift into bright reds, oranges, and yellows. September and October are prime apple-picking season as well. Pick your own (and pumpkins too) at .

What to do in New Paltz, New York

Climb in the Gunks: The Shawangunk Ridge, aka the Gunks, is a collection of quartz conglomerate cliffs inside the ($20 entry fee) in the Catskills Mountains that offer some of the best trad climbing in the country, with hundreds of high-quality routes, mostly one to three pitches. September and October, thanks to the cooler weather, are stellar climbing season. The scenery ain鈥檛 bad either, as the hardwoods that dominate the valley below the Shawangunks are ablaze with color. Try the classic two-pitch High Exposure, an amazingly airy 5.6 with a roof crux that will have you questioning the grade.

Bike the carriage trails: Minnewaska State Park has an extensive system of double-track carriage trails that are perfect for your gravel bike. Knock out a of the system, and you鈥檒l loop around Lake Minnewaska and top out on outcroppings with dramatic views of the area.

Stay: The rooms at aren鈥檛 cheap (from $995 a night), but the massive historic building sits on its own lake and the prices are all-inclusive, including three meals, afternoon tea and cookies, and access to 85 miles of trails on the property. You can even borrow fishing rods and bait to fish in the lake.

Don鈥檛 Miss: The hard cider. The Hudson Valley has a longstanding tradition of apple growing, and a number of cideries have popped up in recent years. grows the apples on its own farm, just east of New Paltz, for its dry and semi-sour ciders. Try the raw cider, which is unfiltered and wild-fermented.

6. Leavenworth, Washington听

Tucked into the Cascade Mountains, the Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth is partially known as a ski town thanks to its access to Stevens Pass, 40 minutes away. But I鈥檇 argue that Leavenworth truly comes alive in the fall, amid the glow of the aspens and cottonwoods that surround the Wenatchee River as it winds through town, while the restaurants and breweries that line Front Street double down on German fare. Bonus? The mountains surrounding Leavenworth have stands of Larch trees, pines whose needles turn golden yellow during the fall.

Peak Season: Leaves start turning in the middle of September and typically peak in mid-October. The small town hosts one of the largest in the country, with events that span three weekends (September 29 to 30, October 6 to 7, and October 13 to 14).

What to do in Leavenworth, Washington

Boulder in Icicle Creek Canyon: Bouldering on the river rocks along the edge of Icicle Creek will put you in the thick of some of the best foliage in the area. Boulders with established problems can be found throughout the canyon along the road. There is no shortage of options, but head to the for the biggest selection at all grades. Breadline, a V0 with gentle layback moves and a clean landing, is the best entry problem to the area.

Hike to Colchuck Lake: This aqua-blue alpine lake sits beneath two of the tallest peaks in Washington: Dragontail and Colchuck Peak. It鈥檚 a pretty scene any time of year, but downright magnificent in the fall when the thick forest of larches on the edge of the lake go golden. It鈥檚 a tough , but one of the most brilliant foliage hikes ever. Make sure you have cash for a parking pass at Colchuck Lake Trailhead ($5 a day, or purchase an annual which covers all day-use fees for $30).

Stay: Bed down at LOGE Riverside, which has eight recently renovated one-bedroom cabins along the Wenatchee River. In addition to views of the river, the cabins feature a communal outdoor area with hammocks, fire pits, and an open-air kitchen. (From $143 a night.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: A brat at . You鈥檙e in Bavaria, right? So you order a brat, put some sauerkraut and locally made mustards on it, sit in a beer garden next to a fire pit, and eat it.

听7. Crested Butte, Colorado

You know Crested Butte Resort offers insanely good skiing, and you may know that downtown Crested Butte has a fun, Wild West vibe thanks to the multi-colored facades of the wooden buildings that line Elk Avenue, many of which date back to the late 1800s. But you might not know that those mountains that turn white in winter will shimmer with golden aspens in the fall. September and October are shoulder season in this ski town, which means you won鈥檛 have to fight the crowds that line up for the powder come winter.

Peak Season: The aspens should peak in the middle of September and fizzle out by the first of October. Show up on September 9 for the and you can sample bowls of the good stuff from amateurs and professional chefs alike.听

What to do in Crested Butte, Colorado

Hike Kebler Pass: Colorado is known for its aspens, and even has a pretty famous town named after the tree. But the largest aspen grove in the state sits at Kebler Pass in It鈥檚 more than 100 acres, holding an estimated 47,000 trees. Hike the easy from Lost Lake Campground near the summit of the pass, for a three-mile jaunt through the yellow trees.

Bike Strand Hill: Kebler Pass has no monopoly on aspens in the Crested Butte area.

is an intermediate-friendly mountain-bike trail that cruises through broad meadows with epic views of Teocali and Whetstone Mountains before delivering you into thick groves of aspens. The singletrack is more flowy than technical, such that the trail stands out amid Crested Butte鈥檚 notoriously gnarly mountain biking.

Stay: , in a renovated historic saloon, isn鈥檛 huge; there are only six bedrooms, but it鈥檚 the common spaces that make this lodge sing. The place is outfitted with an indoor saltwater pool, rooftop hot tub, steam room, and gear lockers, and it even boasts an oxygen-enriched air system to help you combat altitude fatigue. (From $1,080 a night, two-night minimum.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The rum at . Head to the tasting room in downtown Crested Butte for samples of their American-made rum and other cocktails. Order the Hot Flash, a pineapple-and-habanero-infused rum with house-made apple cider.

8. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs is just plain pretty. The whole town, which is built into the side of a mountain, is on the National Register of Historic Places for its lovingly restored Victorian-era architecture. In the fall, those ornate buildings are completely enveloped by technicolor hardwoods. Need more enticing? The town has 13 cold natural springs, which people have been visiting for their healing properties since the late 1800s. Meanwhile, the mellow Ozark Mountains roll away from main street in every direction.

Peak Season: Mild temps and lower elevation means a later bloom, so expect the leaves to peak late in October.

What to do in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Bike Lake Leatherwood: This city park protects 1,610 acres of surprisingly steep slopes on the edge of Lake Leatherwood, which is why pro trail builders targeted the park for the , a series of downhill-mountain-bike trails. The spot has now become the state鈥檚 most coveted downhill park. There鈥檚 something for all skill levels, but DH2, a black diamond, is the standout, beginning with lots of flow before finishing with a quarter-mile of steep, rocky bliss.

Paddle the Kings River: Kings is a free-flowing river running north through the Ozarks into Missouri, passing a series of dramatic rock bluffs and dense forest on its 90-mile journey. Canoe the mellow eight-mile Rockhouse to Trigger Gap, which passes through a preserve owned by the Arkansas Nature Conservancy, and is full of rocky beaches and flanked by foliage. Rent canoes and arrange for a shuttle with ($80 a day).

Stay: Complete your tour-de-trees by sleeping in them. The are six elevated cabins in a canopy of colorful leaves in a 52-acre forest. Each treehouse comes with a fireplace and hot tub. (From $249 a night.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The seasonal menu at . It鈥檚 a set, multi-course affair that changes monthly or weekly depending on the chef鈥檚 mood and what鈥檚 available. Last October had fall-inspired twists like lamb-and-pumpkin pot pie and pear-and-cider sorbet.

9. Stanley, Idaho

There鈥檚 鈥渟mall,鈥� and then there鈥檚 Stanley, with a year-round population of fewer than 75. Summer is high season in this outpost tucked into the Sawtooth Valley, at the base of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains, so fall takes on a relatively sleepy vibe. That鈥檚 just fine by us, because you鈥檙e here for the foliage, not the crowds. Yellow and gold cottonwoods line the rivers, and aspens decorate the mountain slopes. As for recreation, you鈥檝e got fishing and hiking galore, not to mention a bevy of natural hot springs for soaking.

Peak Season: Show up in late September or early October for your best chance at peak color. Also note that a lot of businesses shut down by the end of October.

What to do in Stanley, Idaho

Bike the Sawtooths: The 116-mile Sawtooth Scenic Highway (highway 75) makes for a foliage-filled jaunt. You can take it easy in a car or earn your views by pedaling a portion of this highway. The Galena Summit Overlook (8,701 feet) at the top of Galena Pass makes for a good turnaround point, as it offers a broad view of the entire Sawtooth Valley, highlighted by the headwaters of the Salmon River and the rocky peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. It鈥檚 a big, 60-mile out and back, but you鈥檒l get your fill of foliage and scenic views.

Hike the Redfish Lake Area: The 1,500-acre Redfish Lake, south of Stanley, is a hub of recreation in the Sawtooth Valley, hosting a number of trailheads with paths leading into the higher elevations of the Sawtooth Mountains. The lake is also a hot spot for fall foliage, as the banks surrounding the water are filled with aspens glinting in the sun. Hike the 4.4-mile out and back (Trail 186), from the Redfish Trailhead, for an easy stroll through a tunnel of these sparkling trees.

Stay: has inexpensive rooms in the heart of town. Those rooms also have incredible views of the Sawtooths, and access to the resort鈥檚 private hot springs. (From $119.)

Don鈥檛 Miss: The hot springs. There are 130 different hot springs in Idaho, several of which surround the small town of Stanley. You have many options, but , with its waterfall and separate natural pools, might be the most scenic.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist. He loves all seasons, but after this incredibly hot summer, is really looking forward to fall. He鈥檚 ready to ride bikes through falling leaves and drink malty lagers next to a campfire.

For more by this author, see:

The Creepiest Unsolved Mysteries in U.S. National Parks

The 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in U.S. National Forests

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