Summer has always been considered the season for hiking. This article was written to change that narrative. Simply put, hiking in the fall is one of the most enjoyable outdoor experiences. Hiking through a trail covered with the colorful foliage of fall is hard to beat. While beautiful fall foliage exists in most areas of the country, there are certain locations that stand out above the rest as the best spots for fall hiking. That’s why I’ve decided to highlight the top 20 fall hiking destinations in the U.S.
If you are planning to go to any of these locations, please remember to practice and uphold the Leave No Trace Principles. Be responsible and respectful. Leave these beautiful places better than you found them. The goal is to keep these places beautiful for generations to come, so please do your part!
For more information on the Leave No Trace Principles, hiking information, and etiquette, check out this comprehensive hiking guide.
Now, let’s get started. This is listed from east to west across the United States.
Best Fall Hiking Destinations
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
First, we have Acadia National Park. Located on the southeastern shores of Maine, this beautiful national park offers mountains, lakes, and coastline, near the idyllic coastal town of Bar Harbor.
There are hundreds of hiking trails that allow you to experience everything this national park has to offer from sweeping vistas to intimate boardwalks surrounded by stunning fall foliage. It may be in the farthest eastern state of the U.S., but Acadia National Park is one of the best fall hiking destinations.
2. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state that can fly under the radar at times. Although, it’s certainly a state that deserves every bit of your attention.
While the entire state is beautiful in the fall season, the White Mountain National Forest in the northern half of New Hampshire is truly exceptional. Not only is this national forest home to some of the most rugged and beautiful mountains in the Northeast, but the fall colors are out of this world.
There are several state parks in this region with amazing hiking trails that offer views and secluded stops alongside peaceful ponds and rivers. Once you’re done hiking for the day, hit the road on the Kancamagus Highway for one of the best scenic fall drives in the country.
3. The Green Mountains, Vermont
Vermont is considered by many to be the king of fall colors in the United States. There’s simply no denying how incredible it is.
The most beautiful areas of Vermont in the fall tend to lie in the Green Mountains. The mountains run like a spine — north to south — down the center of the state. This lends for incredible hiking throughout the state. Some of the best are near Mount Mansfield, Smugglers Notch, and the iconic ski town of Stowe. Vermont is the ideal fall destination for a reason, and should be on any hiker’s list.
4. The Adirondacks/High Peaks Wilderness, New York
Upstate New York is home to some of the best outdoor destinations in the eastern United States. One of those amazing destinations is the Adirondack Mountains and High Peak Wilderness, home to some of the tallest mountains in the Northeast.
In fall, this section of the Adirondacks lights up in fall colors that are truly incredible. With some of the best hikes and fall foliage in the country, the Adirondacks and High Peaks Wilderness will be easy to fall in love with this season.
5. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful park around an hour and a half away from our nation’s capitol. It has multiple hiking trails with fantastic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they get even better in the fall.
Like the White Mountains, Shenandoah National Park offers an amazing scenic drive called the Skyline Drive. This is the perfect option after a long day of hiking, winding through some of the best fall foliage this national park has to offer.
6. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
West Virginia is another state that flies under the radar. Although, It’s home to some of the best fall foliage in the country. It’s also home to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve which is now one of our nation’s newest national parks.
This fledgling national park also offers amazing hiking trails and world-class white water rafting, if you’re up for the challenge.
7. The Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
North Carolina is home to some incredible fall foliage and outdoor destinations. However, the Blue Ridge Parkway is by far the best destination for fall hiking.
While the Blue Ridge Parkway is considered to be America’s most famous scenic drive, it’s more than just a beautiful road. There are hundreds of beautiful hiking trails off the highway leading to beautiful mountain views, lakes, and waterfalls.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. While summer is usually busy, fall season is this park’s Super Bowl.
Millions of people visit the Smoky Mountains and surrounding mountain towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge every year for the fall season. It’s simply one of the best places for fall foliage in the country, and offers beautiful hiking trails throughout the park. It may be busy, but it’s beyond worth it to visit and hike Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the fall season.
9. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is another idyllic fall destination, and considered one of the best in the Midwest. The crown jewel of the Upper Peninsula is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with it’s coastline that runs parallel to the stunningly clear waters of Lake Superior.
In the fall, this area explodes in fall colors. Combined with steep cliffs that drop to the blue turquoise waters of Lake Superior, this national lakeshore is hard to beat. Add miles of hiking trails and on-water access via kayak or canoe, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a dream fall destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
10. The North Shore, Minnesota
Starting in the historic town of Duluth, the famous North Shore of Minnesota is truly breathtaking in the fall. With several beautiful parks like Tettegouche State Park, there are miles of hiking trails that allow you to truly experience the fall season in the Midwest at its best.
11. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas/Oklahoma
The Ozark National Forest is another overlooked area of the country. It not only is a beautiful fall destination for hikers, but it’s a top hiking destination year-round with some of the prettiest trails in the Southeast.
Add in beautiful mountain towns like Eureka Springs and Hot Springs — perfect pit stops to refuel after a long hike — and the Ozark National Forest checks all the boxes as one of the best fall hiking destinations.
12. Kebler Pass, Colorado
It’s pretty hard to narrow down just one fall destination in Colorado. Quite frankly, the entire state seems to turn golden and yellow thanks to the massive amount of aspen trees. Although, if there was one place that would take the cake for best fall hiking, it’d be Kebler Pass. It’s right outside of the historic and beautiful mountain town of Crested Butte.
Kebler Pass is home to the largest Aspen grove in Colorado, with miles of beautiful hiking trails where you can be totally immersed in fall foliage like you’ve never seen before. Miles of golden trees await you if you take a trip to Kebler Pass this fall.
13. The Wasatch Mountains, Utah
Utah is mainly known for its deserts and red rock formations. Although, its fall foliage in its northern Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City is absolutely incredible.
Provo Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon offer the best options for world-class hiking and fall colors that rival the Northeast in vividness and diversity. Give Utah a chance this fall and the Wasatch Range might just blow your mind.
14. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is home to the Tetons, which many consider to be the most iconic mountain range in the United States. The national park offers incredible hiking and climbing year-round. It is a haven for outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
However, this national park erupts in beautiful fall colors from its large population of Aspen and Cottonwood trees. Imagine some of the most iconic mountains and hiking terrain in the country with beautiful fall foliage. That’s a combination that’s hard to beat.
15. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is an alpine wonderland, and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The park’s peak season is summer and surprisingly, it’s become quite empty in the fall season. But that doesn’t mean this park doesn’t offer amazing fall foliage. In fact, it has some of the best displays of Larches in the country as they turn golden in the fall after the deciduous trees have turned a few weeks before.
16. Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho
Idaho is probably the most underrated state in the Western United states. The Sawtooth National Forest, a rugged chain of mountains in central Idaho, is considered to be the crown jewel of this state, with world-class hiking and backpacking trails. It also happens to be an amazing place for fall foliage as well.
So, if you want to take an off-the-grid trip this fall season, check out the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho.
17. Yosemite National Park, California
Everyone knows about Yosemite National Park and it’s iconic Yosemite Valley. It has massive waterfalls, granite formations, and beautiful hiking trails. However, like most of the Eastern Sierras, Yosemite and Yosemite Valley erupt in beautiful fall colors that are truly breathtaking. This is especially true as they frame the peaceful Merced River and legendary formations like Half Dome and El Capitan.
18. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon/Washington
Columbia River Gorge is a popular outdoor destination year round, known for its temperate landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, and amazing hiking trails.
Imagine combining golden foliage, lush vegetation, and too many epic waterfalls to count. That is the experience that awaits when hiking in the Columbia River Gorge in the fall season. Yes, it’s that good.
19. The Enchantments/Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, Washington
Washington is known to have some of the best backpacking trails on the west coast. This is thanks to the incredible Cascade Range. The Enchantments, located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area near the Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth, is one of the best areas of this picturesque mountain range.
However, like Glacier National Park, this area turns in the fall season as it’s thousands of larch trees turn beautifully golden. The tundra and high alpine vegetation also changes to warm reds, orange, and yellows, making it one of the best fall hiking destinations.
20. Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Last but certainly not least, we have Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Imagine hiking through thousands of acres of colorful tundra turning bright red and orange for the fall season. This is all with the tallest mountain in North America in the background.
Denali’s wild high alpine landscapes might not be the closest fall hiking destinations in the U.S., but it sure is one of the most spectacular.
To start planning your 2021 fall hiking destinations, check out this 2021 fall foliage prediction map for a comprehensive breakdown of peak fall foliage timelines across the country.
Article and Photos by Nathan Lee Allen
Nathan Lee Allen is a storyteller and photographer from Kentucky. Check out his work on his website nathanleeallen.com, on Facebook.com/peaktopierglobalstudio, and Instagram @nathanleeallen.
