The 21 Best Places in North America to See Fall Leaves
Perhaps no excursion is more liberating than a road trip. And no activity is more autumnal than a trip to see fall leaves. So with the changing hues of the trees and the crisp air upon us, now may be the best season to enjoy America’s most scenic drives through prime foliage destinations. September 22 marks the first day of autumn, which means now is the proper time to pull out a map and begin tracing the route that takes you through the heart of some of the country’s most breathtaking views. From the craggy coast of Mount Desert Island in Maine to the long stretches of highway in Alaska’s Yukon region, AD surveys the 21 most incredible scenic drives across America to enjoy this autumn. So get behind the wheel and let the vibrantly colored maple and poplar trees dotting the East Coast or the ash and elm trees along the West Coast leave you speechless this season.
Photo: Getty Images/Dave Alan1/21Historic Columbia River Highway (Troutdale and The Dalles, Oregon)
The Historic Columbia River Highway in Oregon is 70 miles of pristine fall foliage. In addition to amber leaves, you’ll also come across waterfalls, cliff-top views, and regional wildflowers.
Photo: Getty Images/redtea2/21Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus County, New York)
Located in Cattaraugus County in western New York, Allegany State Park is a must for all East Coasters. Spend a day biking the miles of paths inside the park or make it an extended stay by pitching a tent at one of the 125 campsites.
Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto3/21Emerald Bay Road (Lake Tahoe, California)
For one of the most scenic drives in the Sierra Nevada, take a trip along Emerald Bay Road running along the California side of Lake Tahoe. There are no guard rails along the highway, so be prepared to drive extremely carefully if you make the trip.
Photo: David Brownell/Alamy4/21US Route 5A (Westmore, Vermont)
Make sure to visit US Route 5A along Lake Willoughby in Westmore, Vermont, before it hits stick season. The state’s maples start to change in mid September, so time your visit appropriately.
Photo: Elena Elisseeva/Alamy5/21King’s Highway 60 (Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario)
Passing through Algonquin Provincial Park on Highway 60 is one of the best ways to experience Ontario’s foliage. Among many scenic moments, it’s particularly stunning to see the leaves reflecting off the Lake of Two Rivers.
Photo: Design Pics Inc/Alamy6/21Alaska Highway (Yukon, Canada)
Built during World War II to connect the continental US to Alaska, the Alaska Highway now offers a breathtaking drive to anyone who travels it. And if you time your adventure correctly, you may even get to see the northern lights.
Photo: Purestock/Alamy7/21Bear Mountain Bridge (New York)
Highways US 6 and US 202 run over Bear Mountain Bridge in Hudson, New York. The Hudson Valley is one of the most spectacular areas to experience fall, and with the bridge’s prime position suspended over the Hudson River, the views are that much more spectacular.
Photo: Mike Briner/Alamy8/21US Highway 41 (Michigan)
Highway 41 runs all the way from Miami to the top of Michigan. But you don’t have to drive the whole thing to see the best changing leaves. Instead, focus on just the top in Keweenaw Peninsula, the northernmost point in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where you’ll find winding roads with vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds at every turn.
Photo: Jon Bilous/Alamy9/21Linn Cove Viaduct (North Carolina)
Linn Cove Viaduct, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, is recognized as an “engineering marvel.” Hugging Grandfather Mountain, the viaduct was delayed for two decades while determining how to protect the environment while allowing a path for cars.
Photo: Pat & Chuck Blackley/Alamy10/21Park Loop Road (Acadia National Park, Maine)
Like all the national parks, Acadia in Maine is an incredible beacon of natural beauty full of rocky beaches, woodlands, and mountains. For the best views during the fall, drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road that winds through the park.
Photo: Charles Bolin/Alamy11/21John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway (Teton County, Wyoming)
John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway joins Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The path “connects 24,000 acres of wildlife, which includes grizzly bears, black bears, and moose,” according to the National Park Service.
Photo: John De Bord/Alamy12/21Kebler Pass (Gunnison National Forest, Colorado)
Drive Kebler Pass in Gunnison National Forest in Colorado to immerse yourself in the mountains without having to hike them. The mostly gravel road is closed during the winter, making a trip during the fall all the more necessary.
Photo: Janice and Nolan Braud/Alamy Stock Photo13/21The Million Dollar Highway (Silverton, Durango, and Ouray, Colorado)
This portion of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway in Colorado is known as “The Million Dollar Highway.” The name’s origins aren’t fully known, though there are a few competing theories including that it has to do with the cost it took to build or the amount of gold ore that remains in roadway’s fill. But if you drive it, you’ll probably agree with the third theory: It’s named for its “million dollar” views.
Photo: Daniel Dempster Photography/Alamy14/21Route 100 (Windham County, Vermont)
Vermont’s Route 100 treks through the entire state, but the section in Windham County is particularly scenic. For a longer road trip, drive the whole 216 miles through the New England state known for its foliage.
Photo: Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images15/21Calvin Coolidge Memorial Bridge (Sunderland, Massachusetts)
Just two hours west of Boston, the Pioneer Valley Region of Massachusetts is home to five colleges and sprawling woodlands. Encompassing the Connecticut River, the area is one of the most scenic fall destinations in New England.
Photo: Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images16/21Pike Hill Road and Vermont 25 (Orange County, Vermont)
It’s not just cozy foliage that makes this little corner of the Green Mountain State near Pike Hill Road and Vermont 25 so picturesque. The changing leaves filling the space between barns and a white steeple church create the near definition of quaint.
Photo: Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images17/21Kancamagus Highway (White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire)
Spanning 34 miles, the Kancamagus Highway cuts right through White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. In addition to the mountain, you’ll also see the Rocky Gorge, Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, and Lower Falls and while reaching an elevation of just under 3,000 feet.
Photo: Janice and Nolan Braud/Alamy Stock Photo18/21Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 (Buffalo River Canyon, Arkansas)
Arkansas Scenic Byway 7 crosses north-south through most of the state, including treks through both the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges, Arkansas River Valley, and the woodlands of southern Arkansas.
Photo: Carrie Thompson/Getty Images19/21Catskill State Park (Catskills, New York)
The Catskill mountains in upstate New York have long been a popular destination among New Yorkers eager to escape the concrete jungle and immerse themselves in nature. Though it may be a welcome weekend journey any time of the year, fall is a particularly picturesque time to visit. For a scenic drive, consider taking New York State Route 23A from Hunter to Palenville. Winding through the northern tip of the Catskill mountains, the 12-mile road winds in and out through the amber and mustard colored leaves.
Photo: Janice Chen/Getty Images20/21Glacier National Park (Montana)
Peak fall foliage viewing begins mid-September at Glacier National Park. At this time, trees on the west side begin to change, with those on the east side following their lead in late September. According to the park’s website, the larch trees turn gold last in mid-October. “These trees are mainly on the west side of the park, but the southern boundary of the park is also a great place to view larch trees from along the road on Highway 2,” reads the site. For a journey through all of the brilliant hues, plan a trek along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Photo: Ketkarn Sakultap/Getty Images21/21Zion National Park (Springdale, Utah)
Thanks to its many different elevation points—the park spans from 2,000 feet above sea level to over 11,000 feet above sea level—the foliage season at Zion National Park is longer than in other parts of the world. “You can expect a long season of fall colors as the leaves change with each elevation zone,” explains Zion Ponderosa, a nearby hotel and resort. The park has three scenic drive options—Highway 9, Kolob Terrace Road, and Kolob Canyon—which provide excellent views of the aureate and ocher leaves against the red rock canyons.
