It is no secret that visitation to national parks around the country has gone through the roof in recent years. This has led to parks requiring timed entry reservations, permits for popular hikes, and campgrounds selling out in seconds when they become available.
If you have the flexibility, one way to beat the crowds is to make a visit during shoulder seasons. And there is no better shoulder season than the fall.
During this time, you can expect to see incredible wildlife displays in parks around the west, vibrant colors as the trees change colors from green to gold to red, and no shortage of parking in areas that would otherwise be overrun in the summer months.
So, let’s hit the road and explore the best national parks to visit in the fall months.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
The Great Smoky Mountains are a no-brainer for the brilliant foliage display that it puts on during the fall months. On peak leaf-peeping weekends, this can bring some big-time crowds, so this isn’t the best option if you’re looking for solitude.
But the drive is definitely worth it, as hillsides will be covered in a vibrant display of yellows, oranges, and reds.
Take a hike along the Alum Cave Trail, which gets you up above the trees and offers spectacular views of the higher-elevation areas that tend to change color early.
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
There are few places in the world that are better for leaf peeping than Shenandoah National Park, and the best way to take in the incredible sights along the park’s length is on Skyline Drive.
This 105-mile road cuts right through the heart of the park and offers 75 pullouts along the way where you can stretch your legs or just take in the views right from the parking lot.
Acadia National Park (Maine)
Situated in the far Northeastern corner of the country, Acadia National Park is a spectacular getaway during the fall months. The cool, crisp air of autumn moves in quickly, and the crowds thin out after Labor Day, which makes this time of year the perfect time to take in this stunning park.
For the ultimate up-close experience in the park, bring your gravel bike and ride the dozens of miles of carriage roads that wind their way through the park. These car free roads feature a crushed rock surface and are maintained by the park service and will take you past some of the best sights in Acadia.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
When it comes to fall foliage in the Rocky Mountains, it is aspen that steals the show. Here, you’ll find huge groves of these fast-growing trees that turn a brilliant shade of golden yellow during the fall months.
Another reason to visit during the fall is the elk rut. Find a quiet place and listen for the haunting sounds of the elk bugle, or watch as bull elk battle each other over cows. Keep your distance, though, as these massive animals can become unpredictable during this season.
Zion National Park (Utah)
Zion is one of the most captivating landscapes in all of North America. Given its desert location, one might not expect it to have much fall color, but along the riverbanks, at the bottom of the canyons, you’ll find a number of tree species that turn brilliant yellow, orange, and red during the late fall.
Another reason to visit during this time is the much cooler weather which can bake the canyon floors during the summer months. In the fall the cooler days and downright chilly nights make treking through the park a far more enjoyable experience.
Glacier National Park (Montana)
In the high elevations of Glacier National Park, the season can be quite short to take in the best of the best that the park has to offer. But luckily this season typically extends into the middle of October (although snow during this time of year is not at all uncommon!)
During the fall months you can expect to see increased wildlife activity as many of the animal move down into the valleys in search of food in preparation for the winter. Many mornings you will also be treated to freshly snow-capped peaks and vibrant colors as the park’s larch trees change to their golden fall coats.
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
The Grand Tetons are our absolute favorite place to visit in the fall. During this time, the park’s aspen trees turn a vibrant yellow, which makes photographing the mountains and the area’s wildlife an absolute treat.
Speaking of wildlife there is no better time of the year to catch a glimpse of the park’s population of large mammals. Bear, moose, bison, and elk can all frequently be seen in the park valleys in September and October as they prepare for winter.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
This little-known national park sits just south of Cleveland, Ohio, and come the middle of October it explodes into a kaleidoscope of colors.
Take a walk along the Ledges Trail for unique rock formations and up-close views of the foliage, or hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a picturesque trip through the park.
North Cascades National Park (Washington)
Even though North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited in the country, the one time you can expect to see crowds is the narrow window when the park’s larch trees change from green to their vibrant golden color.
Add in the huckleberry bushes that change the rest of the landscape into a brilliant display of reds and oranges, and you will have one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in the country.
For the ultimate park experience hike the Heather-Maple Pass Loop trail which takes you along some of the park’s best scenery with alpine lakes, exposed ridges, and plenty of fall colors.
Yosemite National Park (California)
Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular in the country, and for good reason. The Yosemite Valley looks like a landscape dreamed up for a movie rather than real life.
And during the fall months the park becomes the perfect to visit. Summer crowds have thinned out, hardwood trees along the valley floor start to change colors, and fall rains bring the park’s waterfalls back to life.
Be prepared for any type of weather, though. The park’s higher elevation locations can see snow earlier than you may expect.
