9 of the Best Places To See Fall Foliage in North America

Nowhere does fall quite like Vermont. In between its clement summers and frosty winters, the Green Mountain State comes alive with a brief but vibrant burst of color that ranks among America’s most spectacular seasonal displays.

While there are few bad places to take in the show, northern Vermont is especially ideal. Go for a self-led driving tour along the Smugglers’ Notch Pass scenic highway, or head to nearby Stowe (known as the Fall Color Capital). In between, head out for some local experiences to amp up the autumnal vibe: Taste seasonal craft beers on a brewery tour, go apple picking, or shop for tasty maple treats.

The bucolic Hudson Valley has many sightseeing advantages. For starters, it’s just a quick trip north of New York City via car or direct train, meaning that it's an easy day or weekend trip out of the city. Home to ridiculously charming small towns, the region was named the best autumn destination in the US for leaf-peeping in 2025. Clearly, a foliage trip is in order—and you’ll find ultra-photogenic views at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Harriman State Park, and other green (make that orange and red) spaces.

Insider tip: Don’t have time for a full-day trip or weekend getaway? Enjoy an easy sightseeing experience, and waterfront views, when you book a fall foliage river cruise from the Big Apple.

After some North America fall travel with a side of gently rolling mountains, pretty lakes, and cozy cabins? Then consider the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania. Within easy commuting distance of Philadelphia, the Poconos are known as a prime leaf-peeping destination—in fact, they’re home to 127 different tree and plant species that change colors in the fall. You’ve got plenty of ways to discover the scenery: Go hiking with your camera in Big Pocono State Park, hop on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, or admire the leaves offset by pretty waterfalls at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

One of the West’s most dramatic landscapes is also one of the top autumn vacation spots in the US. That honor goes to Jackson Hole in Wyoming, a pristine valley offset by the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons. Although Jackson Hole is best known as a winter skiing destination, it’s worth swinging by a few months early to take in its autumnal show. The best tours will get you up close with the foliage: Book a horseback riding tour for an up-close experience, embark on a sunrise wildlife (and foliage) safari. Alternatively, take to the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram for bird’s-eye views of the area's changing leaves.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is known as “America’s Favorite Drive” for a reason. Spanning 469 miles (755 kilometers) through western Virginia and North Carolina, the famous route runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and links Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Astonishing natural beauty is found around virtually every twist and turn—and that’s especially true when the autumn leaves put on a fiery show. Scenic driving tours will take the guesswork (and navigation) out of the equation and lead you right to the best viewing points.

Insider tip: Hard to fit in a days-long road trip? The Blue Ridge Parkway passes near area hubs, such as Roanoke and Asheville, so you can easily plan a shorter excursion.

The Columbia River Gorge—located just 16 miles (26 kilometers) east of Portland—is never not beautiful. With its many tumbling waterfalls, dramatic canyon scenery, and lush forests, it's an ideal day-trip destination from the city for nature lovers and photographers. While this area is always scenic, you'd better have that camera at the ready if you visit during the autumn: The Columbia River Gorge is billed as one of the West Coast’s best fall foliage destinations, after all. Book a hiking trip to immerse yourself in the autumnal scenery, and stop for snapshots at viewing points such as Multnomah Falls along the way.

When it comes to iconic fall foliage destinations, it’s hard to do better than The Berkshires in western Massachusetts. An area of mist-shrouded rolling hills and classically New England small towns, the region has long been renowned for its autumnal scenery. There are many ways to take in the sights, from driving trips that ascend Mt. Greylock to hikes along the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and excursions to postcard-worthy towns such as Williamstown. In between the leaf-peeping, don’t forget to hit the pumpkin patch or join a local harvest festival to soak in the East coast fall.

As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is one of the best places for an autumn nature trip in Canada—especially if you’re after truly wild scenery. The area’s lush forests burst into a range of reds, golds, and oranges come autumn, all while the mountains receive their first dusting of snow.

As an added bonus, fall is a less busy time to take in the scenery, including elk and other wildlife, which are often easiest to spot at this time of year. Go for a hiking tour, or hop on the Jasper SkyTram for an aerial perspective.

Within day-trip distance to hubs including Toronto and Ottawa, the Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario ranks among the ultimate destinations for leaf peeping in Canada. Spanning nearly 2 million acres (800,000 hectares), the enormous park offers almost limitless options for year-round recreation, although fall is a particularly pretty time to visit. For some of the best viewing opportunities, go for a drive along the Highway 60 corridor, hike the short-but-sweet Hardwood Lookout Trail, or even stop to admire views from the Algonquin Park visitor center. Alternatively, on a nature tour of the park, you're sure to spot vibrant leaves—and wildlife from moose to beavers.