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U.S. national parks certainly have their moment in the summer, as travelers take advantage of school breaks and warmer weather to explore some of our country’s most beautiful protected lands. The fall, however, is just as magical for those who want to see the changing leaves and experience generally less packed parking lots and hiking trails. Traffic in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, for example, peaked at around 700,000 visits per month in the summer of 2023, and just over 200,000 visitors entered the park in the following October.
That said, don’t expect to have the park to yourself, especially if you’re traveling to one known for its fall colors. “Travelers may have an exaggerated sense of how much visitation drops off… While most parks do indeed have their busiest months during the summer, it seems that more and more travelers are visiting the parks during the fall,” says Jeremy Palmer, COO at Tauck, a World’s Best Award-winning tour operator. “So, don’t wait to make your travel plans until the last minute — particularly if you’re hoping to stay in some of the incredible historic lodges that are actually located within the parks.”
With his advice in mind, read on to discover the best national parks — plus a national seashore and a couple of national historical parks — to visit in the fall.
Shenandoah National Park
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According to Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, driving from Front Royal, Virginia to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of the best ways to see fall colors. The route will take you through Shenandoah National Park, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and into the Great Smokies — with plenty of charming stops and unforgettable sights on the way. “Foliage changes would start in Shenandoah in early to mid-October and ‘move’ south into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in late October,” he says. If you’re within driving distance of Shenandoah National Park and want to time your visit as fall colors peak, follow the park on Instagram or check in on the Fall Broadcast each week to determine the best time to go.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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“If your thoughts immediately turn to New England when you think of fall foliage, Great Smoky Mountains National Park would like to have a word,” says Palmer. Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park is home to 16 mountain peaks higher than 6,000 feet in elevation. “This greater verticality can translate into a longer period of ‘peak foliage’ when the leaves are at their most spectacular,” he says. “Foliage changes first at higher (and thus colder) elevations and slowly progresses down-slope. In theory, at least, this means a more prolonged top-to-bottom progression of fall’s brightest colors for intrepid visitors to savor.”
Grand Teton National Park
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Not only is autumn Jackson Hole’s best-kept secret, but it’s also one of the best times to check out Grand Teton National Park. The aspen and cottonwood trees turn bright yellow and gold, making for a stunning contrast to the Teton Range in the distance, and the hoards of travelers trying to find parking around Jenny Lake disperse. Plus, wildlife tours can be extra exciting as the elk rut takes place from mid-September through October, and bears make an appearance as they get ready to go into hibernation.
Grand Canyon National Park
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“The Grand Canyon is a true natural wonder that lives up to the hype, and everyone should experience it at least once. That’s a given,” says Palmer. As far as planning your visit, though, don’t consider summer to be your only option — Palmer has a “very strong case” for why travelers should head to the park in the fall. “The average temperature drops from a high of 92 degrees in August to a comfortable 75 in October. Also in October, there are 15 percent fewer visitors than in July (the park’s busiest month), and, among those visitors, you’d be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of school-aged children.”
Bryce Canyon National Park
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Southern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park is known for a few things. For starters, it has the largest collection of hoodoos (spire-shaped rock columns) in the world. It also boasts amazing hiking trails and status as an International Dark Sky Park. While the park is open year-round, fall makes for an exceptional trip. It’s this time of year, says Wade, that you can see “beautiful groves of aspen trees that turn in October and spectacular views of the colorful geological formations in the canyon.”
Big Bend National Park
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Unlike many national parks out West, Big Bend National Park’s peak season occurs from October through April, as the Texas heat dies out. This cooler weather is ideal for the park’s most popular activities, hiking and stargazing, so be sure to bring appropriate footwear, a water bottle, and a few layers (temperatures drop even further at night). If you time your visit right, you may be able to see some of the fall colors on the slopes of the Chisos Mountains.
Rocky Mountain National Park
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Come autumn, Rocky Mountain National Park shines its brightest and most beautiful. The days may be shorter, but they’re filled with the sounds of bugling elk, comfortably cool temperatures, and some of the most awe-inspiring foliage you’ll find out West. In higher elevations, the alpine tundra turns purple and deep red; throughout the park, aspen and cottonwood trees don their golds and oranges ahead of winter.
Yellowstone National Park
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Yellowstone is one of the U.S. national parks that offers a completely different experience each season. Summer is notable for its sightseeing, hiking, and camping opportunities, but you can expect “great wildlife viewing as fall sets in,” says Wade. It’s important to note, however, that snow is definitely possible this time of year. Always check the forecast before setting off into the park and make sure you’re driving a car that can handle inclement weather.
Yosemite National Park
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Most of the trees in Yosemite National Park are evergreen, but that doesn’t mean you should write the destination off in the fall. In fact, this time of year is perfect for travelers who want to enjoy the park with fewer visitors and cooler temperatures. If seeing fall foliage is an absolute must, include the Valley Loop Trail in your itinerary. In October, the bigleaf maples turn yellow and dogwoods put on their deep red and purple hues.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
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Wade calls Cumberland Gap National Historical Park a “‘lesser-visited’ national park area with rich history and spectacular foliage.” Forging a passageway through the Appalachian Mountains, the 14,000-acre park is located where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky meet, and its mountainous terrain gives way to plenty of hiking trails and unbeatable vistas. He notes that the fall colors would kick in around mid-October, so plan your trip accordingly.
Acadia National Park
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Maine’s Acadia National Park is, far and away, one of the best national parks for leaf peeping. The park notes that peak foliage typically occurs in mid-October, but you can check the status of the fall colors on the Maine Foliage website (which is updated weekly in the autumn). For the best views of the changing leaves, make your way to Cadillac Mountain, hike the Beehive Loop Trail, or embark on a boat tour of Frenchman Bay.
Minute Man National Historical Park
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If you’ve already checked Acadia National Park off your list, make sure Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusettes is your next Northeastern destination. “Visiting in late September through mid-October will allow you to experience New England’s deservedly famous fall foliage, and Minute Man is the perfect first stop on a larger exploration of New England at the time of year when the region is putting its very best face forward,” says Palmer.
Congaree National Park
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Given the fact that South Carolina has notoriously mild winters, Congaree National Park is open year-round — and travelers can plan their trip based on what they most want to see. Those visiting in the fall may miss the annual synchronous firefly mating season that occurs in the spring, but they will get to witness the foliage that peaks at the end of October and early November. Not to mention, the lower temperatures make paddling Cedar Creek or hiking Kingsnake Trail more palatable.
Cape Cod National Seashore
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The Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the best things to do on Cape Cod, and it’s one of Palmer’s favorite parks to experience in the fall. “Visiting an area best known for its beaches during the fall may seem counterintuitive, but it’s definitely worth consideration,” he says, noting that the area’s cooler temperatures “only make the local clam chowder more delicious” this time of year. “September and October are also still peak season for the Cape’s growing population of great white sharks, so a nice long walk on the beach could well result in a sighting of these awesome predators,” he adds.
Arches National Park
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North of Moab lies Arches National Park, a destination with over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of pinnacles, and other rock formations. Its peak tourism season occurs from March through October — and timed-entry tickets are required to enter the park from April 1 to Oct. 31 — but late fall comes with its own brand of magic for stargazers. The days are shorter, and there are fewer visitors to navigate around as you journey to the Balanced Rock Picnic Area, the Garden of Eden Viewpoint, or Panorama Point.
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