There is no better way to experience the changing colors of autumn than with a fall foliage road trip. Cozy socks and warm apple cider optional (but not really). When people think fall foliage the first thing that comes to mind is almost always New England, and for good reason. New England in the fall has incredible colors and it’s definitely a classic American road trip. Luckily for the rest of the country, there are many other places with gorgeous foliage and unique landscapes.
Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia and North Carolina
One of the most popular routes for a fall foliage road trip, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 496 mile stretch of roadway running across North Carolina and Virginia. The route takes travelers through both Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fiery red, orange and yellow trees line the roadways in color, creating an unforgettable drive.
When to visit- Late September to Mid-October
Columbia River Gorge- Oregon/Washington
The Columbia River Gorge is an incredible place to visit any time of year for memorable hiking and biking. Over 50 waterfalls are tucked into the lush forests waiting to be discovered. In the fall, those forests light up with color, making all those sparkling waterfalls even more spectacular.
When to visit- Mid September to late October
The Ozarks – Arkansas/MIssouri
While most people may think of the Lake of the Ozarks as a classic summer vacation spot, it’s also a fantastic place for a fall foliage road trip. The trees around the lake come alive in the fall and wrap the water in a bright blanket of color. There are lots of scenic routes to pick from, but a favorite is the Sylamore Scenic Byway. Sylamore is a short trip of 26.5 miles, meandering past Ozark National Forest and Blanchard Springs Caverns. Whichever you pick you can’t go wrong.
When to Visit- Late October to Early November
Million Dollar Highway
Million Dollar Highway stretches about 25 miles through the mountains in western Colorado. Not for the faint of heart, there are lots of twists and turns along the way. Adventurous travelers are rewarded with stunning, vivid foliage and the peaks of the San Juan Mountains in the background. Legend has it the highway, cut out of the side of a mountain, cost one million dollars to build. It’s said the fill dirt used during construction is filled with one million dollars of gold ore. Whether the legend is true or just a crazy story, the views along the way are defiantly million dollar views.
When to Visit- Mid September to early October
Wisconsin Door County
Door County is a peninsula stretching out into Lake Michigan. Every autumn, visitors flock to the Door County Coastal Byway, a 66-mile stretch of roadway along the coast. The byway has the best of both worlds, passing through three state parks and along side coastal villages. For a longer trip, the Door County Circle Tour takes you up to Washington Island at the northern tip of the peninsula, and then back down. Door county has three lookout towers perfect for getting a view of the color from above. Find them at Washington Island’s Mountain Park, Peninsula State Park and Potawatomi State Park.
When to Visit- Late September to mid October
Green Mountain Byway – Vermont
Vermont is considered by many as the creme de la creme of fall foliage spots and any road trip through the state will show you why. One of the best is the Green Mountain Byway. Although the route is only `11 miles long, it packs a punch. The route passes through quaint villages, forests and meadows. It’s worth a detour to Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak ,to take in all the colors from above.
When to Visit- Mid September to mid October
Going to the Sun Road – Montana
One of the highlights in Glacier National Park is Going to the Sun Road, an alpine highway winding 50 miles through Northwest Montana. The terrain varies throughout the drive, from sparkling lakes and rocky cliffs to tight turns in the mountains. Depending on which way you travel (West to East or East to West) some of the route is close to the road’s edge. You will want to take this drive slow anyway, to experience how the predominantly yellow fall foliage changes with the terrain. It’s not the easiest spot to visit, between its general location and tendency to close early in the season from an early snowfall. That said, it’s a fall foliage road trip like no other.
When to Visit- Mid September – early October
ENCHANTED CIRCLE SCENIC BYWAY – New mexico
New Mexico may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about a fall foliage road trip, but it’s one not to miss. The 83 mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway runs from Taos to Questa, looping around Wheeler Peak. Here, the abundance of aspen trees turn the landscape a bright yellow. This unique landscape aglow with fall foliage is something you won’t find anywhere else.
When to visit- Late September to Early October
Tracking color
When planning a fall foliage road trip, be as flexible as possible to hit your destination during peak time. Although we have a general idea of when that will be, it’s never certain. Luckily, a map that tracks the progression of color each season, like this one, is a handy tool. Keep your eye on the progression for the best chance of timing it right. The good thing is, even if it’s not exactly peak time, it’s still going to be beautiful.
Pin it!
Leave a Reply