Fall is without doubt one of the greatest occasions to discover America’s nationwide parks.
The crowds skinny out, the air turns crisp, and landscapes rework with colour, mild, and texture.
To uncover essentially the most memorable autumn locations, we requested out of doors lovers, adventurers, and park lovers to share their favourite nationwide parks to go to within the fall—and what makes every one particular.
From the glowing dunes of White Sands to the fiery leaves of Shenandoah, their suggestions spotlight the range and great thing about the U.S. park system when autumn is in full swing.
White Sands: A Serene Desert Fall Expertise
Individuals normally consider Yellowstone or Shenandoah, however as a U.S. Military veteran, I’m going to say, fingers down, White Sands Nationwide Park in New Mexico is the most effective.
That will sound counterintuitive, as many individuals envision a desert painted in vivid autumn colours, however the hundred sq. miles of gypsum dunes ebbing and flowing towards the chilly, positive desert air are a sight to behold in fall.
After years of shuffling in warmth and dryness, I found that the park in October had the identical open skies and open terrain, together with 70-degree days and near-empty trails.
The sunsets listed here are among the many most surreal I’ve ever seen — deep orange skies towards white dunes which can be practically snow-like.
Lower than 800,000 folks go to every year (in contrast with greater than 12 million at Nice Smoky Mountains), so you’ve got the elbow room and silence that’s more and more troublesome to seek out elsewhere.
My advice to future vacationers: go late within the afternoon, hike into the dunes a few mile, and convey a small sled. The gypsum by no means heats up, even after years of trekking miles on it, doesn’t have that “oven impact,” the warmth sink that ordinary sand does out within the desert.
For me, that silence, interrupted solely by the sound of shoes crunching on sand, has the impact of a reset button, a form of desert leaf-peeping, if you’ll. It’s not the “basic fall” journey, however in case you’ve spent years in uniform chasing down quiet moments, this one stays with you.
Chad Lipka, President | Chief Advertising and marketing Officer, North Shore Sauna
Glacier: Numerous Fall Tenting Adventures
After creating content material about America’s most scenic routes and managing our nationwide occasions program, I’ve camped in dozens of nationwide parks.
Glacier Nationwide Park in Montana takes my prime spot for fall tenting–particularly late September when the larch bushes flip golden however Going-to-the-Solar Highway stays accessible.
What makes Glacier particular is the dramatic temperature distinction you expertise with a truck camper.
You possibly can camp at decrease elevations like Apgar the place it’s comfy, then drive as much as Logan Go the place snow would possibly already be dusting the peaks.
I documented this precise situation when filming content material for our Montana & Wyoming loop route–the visible storytelling alternatives are unimaginable.
The dispersed tenting choices across the park’s perimeter are phenomenal for our truck camper group.
In contrast to crowded summer season months, September provides loads of Forest Service roads with epic views and minimal crowds. I’ve discovered websites the place you get up to frost in your camper however by afternoon, you’re mountaineering in a t-shirt.
From a sensible standpoint, fall provides you the wildlife exercise with out the summer season vacationer chaos. The park’s 700+ miles of trails are accessible, the climate is steady, and also you get these crisp mountain mornings that make opening your 4 Wheel Camper door really feel like stepping right into a postcard.
Eric Hyde, Advertising and marketing Supervisor, 4 Wheel Campers
Bryce Canyon: Distinctive Autumn Surroundings
After establishing our canvas tents throughout six continents and dealing with glamping websites from deserts to forests, I’d say Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park in Utah takes the crown for fall tenting.
The elevation adjustments there create this unimaginable microclimate impact that most individuals miss – whilst you’re coping with crisp 40-degree mornings, by afternoon you’re in excellent 70-degree climate that’s preferrred for prolonged out of doors stays.
What actually units Bryce aside is how the autumn mild interacts with these purple rock formations. I’ve had purchasers particularly request tent placements to seize that golden hour lighting that occurs round 6 PM in October, and the distinction between the orange aspens and purple hoodoos creates this pure amphitheater impact that you just simply can’t replicate wherever else.
From a sensible tenting perspective, Bryce‘s fall situations are excellent for canvas tent tenting – low humidity, minimal precipitation, and people temperature swings truly assist with condensation administration contained in the tent. We’ve used it as a testing floor for our cold-weather setups as a result of the situations are difficult however predictable.
The stargazing there’s phenomenal too, which is why we developed our stargazing tent. Bryce is definitely a delegated Darkish Sky Park, and in fall you get these crystal-clear nights with out summer season’s warmth distortion affecting visibility.
Caitlyn Stout, Proprietor, Stout Tent
Nice Sand Dunes: Fall Colours with Journey
Residing on an 80-acre ranch in Evergreen provides me entry to some unimaginable fall locations, however Nice Sand Dunes Nationwide Park in Colorado is my absolute favourite for October adventures.
The distinction between golden aspen groves within the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains and people large 750-foot dunes creates a surreal panorama you’ll be able to’t discover wherever else.
What makes it excellent for fall is the temperature steadiness – these dunes can hit 140°F in summer season, however October brings preferrred situations for sandboarding and mountaineering. I’ve taken my three boys there a number of occasions, and watching them surf down North America’s tallest dunes with snow-capped peaks within the background by no means will get outdated.
The design ideas I take advantage of in staging houses truly apply right here too – it’s all about layered textures and contrasting parts. You get clean sand, rugged mountains, golden aspens, and evergreen forests multi function body. As somebody who creates lifted areas professionally, this park delivers that very same “wow issue” naturally.
The sensible profit is it’s only some hours from Denver, so you’ll be able to simply mix it with different Colorado fall actions. In contrast to crowded leaf-peeping locations, you usually have sections of these large dunes fully to your self in October.
Adam Bocik, Accomplice, Evergreen Outcomes
Isle Royale: Autumn Tranquility on Lake Superior
In relation to fall in U.S. nationwide parks, my choose is Isle Royale in Michigan—however not for the explanation most individuals count on.
Everybody talks in regards to the moose and wolves, and certain, they’re superb, however what sticks with me is how quiet the island turns into in autumn. By September, the summer season ferries decelerate, and the place feels prefer it’s exhaling after a busy season.
You’ll hike for hours and never see a soul, which makes the shifting birch leaves and sudden flashes of crimson maples really feel nearly otherworldly, as in case you stumbled right into a secret that wasn’t meant to be shared.
The cool half? As a result of it’s on Lake Superior, the autumn climate adjustments quickly—one minute the water’s glassy and nonetheless, the subsequent it’s churning with whitecaps. That unpredictability makes the panorama really feel alive in a method that’s completely different from the large “fall foliage” locations like Acadia or Shenandoah.
Isle Royale reminds you that nature isn’t a postcard—it’s moody, shifting, and it doesn’t notably care in case you’re comfy. That’s what makes being there in fall unforgettable.
Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com
Arches: A Fall Problem for Outside Fans
As somebody who’s spent years constructing customized Jeeps and hitting rugged trails, I’d advocate Arches Nationwide Park in Utah throughout fall.
The sandstone formations create pure wind boundaries that make October tenting extremely comfy in comparison with the brutal summer season warmth.
What makes it excellent for out of doors lovers is the number of bodily challenges. The Fiery Furnace requires precise scrambling and problem-solving – just like the full-body engagement I get from boxing and weight coaching. Your core stability will get examined navigating these slim slot canyons.
The autumn timing eliminates the crowds however maintains excellent climate for multi-day tenting journeys. I’ve completed week-long expeditions there the place daytime temperatures hit 70°F and nights drop to a crisp 40°F – preferrred for somebody like me who loves prolonged backcountry journeys with the youngsters.
From a restoration standpoint, the dry desert air truly helps with post-trip muscle restoration higher than humid environments. I discover much less joint stiffness after lengthy hikes there in comparison with different parks, which issues once you’re planning consecutive days of technical path working or rock scrambling.
Gannon Ward, CEO, Ambiance Chiropractic and Wellness
Acadia: Nature’s Autumn Design Masterpiece
After spending 15+ years designing out of doors areas and dealing hands-on with landscapes throughout Ohio, I’ve to say that Acadia Nationwide Park in Maine is my best choice.
The granite hardscaping there’s completely unimaginable – these pure stone formations taught me extra about working with stone than any textbook ever may.
What actually captivated me was Cadillac Mountain’s summit path in early October. The way in which the autumn colours cascade down into Frenchman Bay beneath is like seeing nature’s personal panorama design masterpiece. I truly introduced again design inspiration from these granite pathways and included comparable pure stone patterns into a number of consumer initiatives again in Springfield.
The park’s carriage roads are pure genius from a hardscaping perspective. They constructed these gravel paths within the early 1900s that also deal with Maine’s brutal winters completely – no cracking, minimal upkeep. I’ve utilized those self same drainage and materials ideas to walkways and driveways for purchasers who want surfaces that may deal with Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Most individuals miss the actual present at Jordan Pond Path the place you’ll be able to see how water naturally shapes stone over time. As somebody who installs ponds and water options, watching how nature handles water movement round these large granite boulders gave me concepts I nonetheless use in the present day.
BJ Hamilton, Proprietor, Natures Personal Landscaping
Large Bend: Refined Magnificence within the Southwest
Come autumn, Large Bend Nationwide Park in West Texas turns into a factor of subdued wildness. Canyon mild mellows stone.
Trails close to the Rio Grande tackle hues of bronze and rust.
Daytime temperatures dip into the 60s, and funky nights make a campfire really feel like a very earned indulgence. Javelinas could amble throughout the riverbank, or a golden eagle could soar overhead, providing uncommon sightings that lodge within the reminiscence.
I’m a fan of the park’s Window Path, which supplies a vista by way of the canyon with strata ranging throughout all shades of purple and brown.
It’s quiet sufficient that the river’s movement drowns out in your thoughts, and your cellphone will seemingly stay at relaxation. There aren’t any reward retailers or guided hikes. As an alternative, you’ve got wind and a view that digs into the soul far past the depth of a photograph. This slice of the Southwest appears trustworthy, rugged, and quietly unforgettable come autumn.
Craig Focht, Cofounder & CEO, All Professional Door Restore
Zion: Architectural Magnificence in Autumn
Zion Nationwide Park in Utah is unmatched within the fall as a result of its sandstone cliffs glow in deeper reds towards golden cottonwoods, a distinction that feels nearly architectural in its precision.
In contrast to the standard fall pilgrimage to New England, the place the wonder is predicted, Zion delivers a shock: heat mild chopping throughout canyons, crisp air excellent for strenuous hikes, and fewer crowds that allow you to expertise solitude.
I’ve walked these trails at daybreak when the rock itself appears alive, shifting hues with each passing minute, and it mirrors the very motive I work with reclaimed stone: the timelessness, the permanence, and the surprising magnificence that emerges when nature meets endurance.
Zion in autumn isn’t simply surroundings; it’s proof that uncooked materials and setting collectively create artwork no human may design.
Erwin Gutenkunst, President and Proprietor, Neolithic Supplies
Mount Rainier: Dramatic Fall Transformation
Mount Rainier Nationwide Park is my favourite out of all of the nationwide parks that I’ve visited.
The reason being the whole transformation that happens there throughout the fall. The meadows round Paradise flip deep purple and orange, and once you see that colour towards the snow-crowned prime of Rainier, it’s practically unreal.
This season is the most effective time to hike the Skyline Path as you get a mix of cool air, fall colours, and panoramic vistas that stretch so far as you’ll be able to see. Every flip appears to supply a brand new sort of surroundings that you haven’t any alternative however to cease and admire.
I’ve been to different parks throughout the fall, reminiscent of Shenandoah or the Smokies, the place the rolling mountains glow yellow and orange.
They’re lovely in themselves, however Rainier is completely different because of its sheer measurement and the way dramatic the placement is. You might have the identical vivid colours, solely they’re set towards a background of glaciers and sharp mountains, and this contrasts the entire place extra. Even in comparison with Acadia or Yellowstone, Rainier is extra dynamic within the fall as you observe a collision of so many ecosystems inside a single park.
Gal Cohen, Enterprise Growth Chief & Subject Space Supervisor, JDM Sliding Doorways
Nice Basin: Peaceable Wilderness in Fall
The tranquility of the Nice Basin in fall feels calm and breathtaking.
The air is crisp, the trails are quiet, and the wilderness is much less crowded in comparison with the widespread parks visited by many. Standing close to Wheeler Peak at practically 13,000 ft, all you’ll be able to hear is the wind speeding by way of bristlecone pines which have survived hundreds of years on this chilly and windy place.
What I appreciated essentially the most in regards to the park is the openness of the wilderness. You possibly can hike for miles with out seeing one other individual, permitting you time to understand the golden aspens or the colours of the rocks altering because the solar dips decrease within the western sky. There’s a peaceable but welcoming really feel to this place.
At night time, the sky is the actual present. The darkness permits the Milky Option to stretch overhead in a method that feels shut and vivid. Mendacity beneath these stars is such an unforgettable second, which is why Nice Basin, particularly throughout fall, is all the time a spot that I consider going again to.
Kyle Sobko, Chief Government Officer, SonderCare
Yosemite: An Intimate Fall Expertise
For me, it needs to be Yosemite within the fall.
The crowds skinny out in comparison with summer season, the air feels crisp, and the combo of granite cliffs with the golden leaves is one thing you’ll be able to’t actually seize in images.
I’ve discovered that the quieter trails throughout this season provide you with area to essentially take all of it in, nearly such as you’re experiencing the park in a extra private method.
Plus, the cooler climate makes lengthy hikes a lot extra pleasant.
Vaarrun Bhurria, Advertising and marketing Coordinator, Vacation spot Large Bear
Lassen Volcanic: Fall Colours Meet Geology
Lassen Volcanic Nationwide Park is a superb vacation spot within the fall as a result of it provides a singular mixture of volcanic options with sensible colours, making it stand out from different nationwide parks. It is without doubt one of the few areas in the US the place you’ll be able to see all 4 forms of volcanoes.
Moreover, within the fall, with the cooler climate, visiting the geothermal areas of the park, such because the mud pots and steam vents, is far more comfy than in summer season.
Throughout fall, the park’s forests, together with the aspen groves, show magnificent gold and yellow colours radiating towards the darkish volcanic rocks. It’s a uncommon sight that you just can’t discover in lots of different locations.
One other advantage of visiting within the fall is that the principle highway by way of the park stays open till the primary heavy snowfall. So in case you arrive earlier than heavy snow, you’ll be able to drive by way of the park and entry the trailheads. Additionally, throughout the fall, there’s much less site visitors, permitting you to benefit from the space with fewer guests.
Matthew Tran, Engineer and Founder, Birchbury
Cuyahoga Valley: Mixing Water and Autumn Colour
There are various nationwide parks that I’ve visited throughout the fall season, however what I think about my prime one is Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park in Ohio.
The factor that makes this park very particular within the fall is the way in which the surroundings combines with the water.
The waterfalls, reminiscent of Brandywine Falls, which drops 65 ft, look much more placing framed by glowing bushes.
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Path stretches for 20 miles, and biking by way of it in October feels as in case you are passing by way of a dwelling portray.
Versus greater parks with heavy site visitors, Cuyahoga Valley nonetheless has some intimate spots the place you could sit, breathe, and be with nature. This steadiness of magnificence and peace is why it stays my primary place to go within the fall season.
Meera Watts, Founder and CEO, Siddhi Yoga
Shenandoah: Rolling Waves of Colour
I’ve been to fairly just a few U.S. nationwide parks to this point, however my favourite to go to is Shenandoah Nationwide Park, particularly within the fall.
I’ve been there fairly just a few occasions, each alone (as a scholar) and with my spouse after which youngsters.
It’s merely magical the way in which the Blue Ridge Mountains rework into waves of purple, orange, and gold, and just about each colour and shade.
Even in case you are not spiritual, you’ll really feel one thing deeply electrical once you take all of it in.
Jeremy Golan SHRM-CP, CPHR, HR Supervisor, Digital HR Hub
Joshua Tree: Distinctive Desert Fall Panorama
Joshua Tree: Two Causes – The Desert Ecosystems and the Unimaginable Rock Formations
The park straddles two distinct deserts—the Mojave and the Colorado—every with its personal local weather, vegetation, and wildlife.
The Mojave is house to the long-lasting Joshua Tree (a twisted, spiky member of the yucca household), whereas the decrease Colorado Desert has cholla cacti, ocotillo, and huge open plains. Few locations allow you to expertise two very completely different deserts aspect by aspect.
Huge piles of granite boulders and monzogranite domes make the park a rock climber’s dream. Even in case you’re not climbing, formations like Cranium Rock, Arch Rock, and Hidden Valley really feel like strolling by way of a pure sculpture backyard. The way in which the rocks catch the sunshine at dawn and sundown makes the panorama much more dramatic.
Marc Bromhall, Founder, Cape Trek
Nice Smoky Mountains: Bursting with Autumn Colours
With the intention of being an out of doors individual, a nationwide park that I would favor visiting within the fall is Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park in the US.
It has beautiful autumnal colours with reds, oranges, and yellows dominating the Appalachian hardwood forests.
Climbing and touristic exploration are much more pleasant in such clear air and with magnificent mountain views.
Additionally, extra relaxed temperatures and fewer guests on the paths create the form of ambiance you need with a view to take pleasure in all the fantastic thing about the park’s panorama.
Zack Moorin, Acquisitions Supervisor, Zack Buys Homes
Conclusion
From deserts to mountains, forests to coastlines, each park provides one thing distinctive in autumn.
Some, like Glacier and Rainier, dazzle with dramatic seasonal adjustments, whereas others, like White Sands or Joshua Tree, show that fall magnificence isn’t restricted to colourful leaves.
The frequent theme? Fall brings quieter trails, cooler climate, and unforgettable surroundings throughout the U.S. nationwide park system.
Whether or not you’re chasing foliage, solitude, or journey, these expert-recommended parks are among the greatest locations to expertise autumn in all its glory.