If you’ve been yearning for pumpkin spice and to roll up in something cozy as nights start to cool down, now is the time to plan for a colorful fall getaway and prime leaf-peeping. Casago’s local vacation property experts welcome your escapade into the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the season.
Planning a fall trip but not sure when the peak time to catch nature’s incendiary glory may be? With the Autumn equinox falling the third week of September, the travel window for spectacular leaf peeping is generally from mid-September through mid to late October. This, of course, varies on where you’re going, plus some give or take on dates depending on the year.
(c)ExploreFall.com
Before envisioning yourself wrapped in a cozy blanket under crisp starry skies, check out easily accessible interactive Fall Foliage Color Maps, such as those found on ExploreFall or Almanac. Paired with premium Casago vacation rentals, fall never looked so good! Beyond traditional New England treescapes, we’ve compiled a list of hidden treasures across the country to fulfill any leaf-peeping fancy.
Prime leaf peeping
| Big Bear – Southern California |
Late Sept through late Oct, and sometimes early Nov
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Big Bear Lake is renowned as a fall destination, even taking on the name “Falltacular season.” The area’s aspens, black oak trees, and maples turn golden, crimson, yellow, and orange. Enjoy the cooler temps with a colorful fall hike or even just a walk around the neighborhood. Or, hop in the car as the scenic loop around the lake offers a front-row seat to the changing landscape.
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Mid-Oct | A top fall travel destination! Autumn coincides with the last month of the area’s wine harvest. Grape vines are at their peak set against brilliant yellow, orange, and red hues mixed with Douglas fir evergreens – Oregon’s state tree.
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| North Lake Tahoe | Mid-Sept to late Oct | Named among top spots for fall foliage by US News. More than a dozen species of native trees showing off reds, oranges, and yellows. Drive around Lake Tahoe and Truckee to take in the colorful show, or head out on one of several hiking trails near the lake.
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| Yellowstone / Island Park | Sept through mid-Oct | Named among top 10 fall destinations by USA Today. Aspen and birch burst into gold and orange. Island Park is perfect for fall hiking and breathtaking views. Cottonwoods and willows turn shades of yellow, reflecting off calm mountain rivers.
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| Lake of the Ozarks | Mid to late Oct and until early Nov | Has been named by USA Today and the New York Times as a must-visit destination for the best fall colors! Maple, ash, oak, and hickory are predominant within the colorful forest surrounding the lake, turning into phenomenal hues of orange, red, and yellow. Enjoy the bright foliage by land or water, hiking, boating, or by taking a scenic drive.
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| Sun Valley, ID | Early Sept to late Oct | Fall months offer some of the best hiking in Sun Valley. Cooler temperatures and quieter trails are inviting before the ski season starts. Vibrant fall colors can be spotted on peaks, higher elevations, and flowing into the valley. Hiking trails range from family-friendly to challenging adventures and off-the-beaten-path trails.
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Scenic drives
| Blue Ridge Parkway | Early Oct to early Nov | Travel along longer sections of Blue Ridge Parkway to see variety of elevations. Mid-October provides good fall colors along most of the Parkway, including Fancy Gap in VA. Find a local orchard, farm or market to add to the autumn adventure.
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| Sunriver | Mid-Oct | Take the spectacular McKenzie River Scenic Byway from Willamette Valley to the Cascade Mountains and Sunriver. Designated dark sky city offering fall family-friendly pumpkin and maize themed activities.
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| Whitefish | Late Sept – late Oct | Tamarack trees (also called larch) make fall in Montana so special, along with the golden aspen. Larch look like evergreens but their needles turn gold and fall to the forest floor. Excellent time to visit Glacier National Park at a slower pace.
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| Utah | Mid-Sep in higher elevations – wrapping up in early Oct | Provo Canyon Scenic Byway connecting Heber and Utah valleys teeming with yellow aspens and red maples (U.S. Route 189) Park City has an amazing combination of reds and yellows set in the Colorado Rockies. Popular time for mountain biking and fly-fishing. Peak foliage season in Utah happens fast, so don’t miss it!
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| Sedona | Late Sept – mid Oct | Plan a fall leaf journey through Oak Creek Canyon, continuing north from Sedona toward Flagstaff. Stunning yellow cottonwoods play off the red-rock canyon walls. Stop at Oak Creek Vista for spectacular photo opp. |
Fall features
| Snowshoe Mountain | Late Sept to mid Oct | West Virginia is the third most forested state in the U.S. There are vibrant oranges, bright reds, and yellows during about a two-week window each fall. Snowshoe holds its Bike Park Closing weekend under the popping fall colors as the park readies to turn into a winter wonderland. As the song says, it’s almost heaven.
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| Texas Hill Country | Late Oct to early Nov | Rolling hills provide best elevation in the state for fall foliage. Garner State Park reflects bright orange and yellow autumn colors along the shores of the Frio River. Lost Maples State Natural Area protects a special stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples that attract visitors each fall.
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| Redwood Coast | mid-Oct to mid-Nov | Humboldt Redwoods State Park is just outside Eureka. As California’s 3rd largest state park at over 53,000 acres, Humboldt Redwoods is home to the largest old growth contiguous redwood forest in the world. You’ll also find the park has big leaf maples, Oregon ash, dogwood, black oaks, red and white alder, and cottonwoods that provide some fall colors.
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| Cannon Beach | Late Sept-early Oct | National Geographic named Cannon Beach along Oregon’s rugged coast among its best fall beach towns in 2023. Fall in Cannon Beach attracts travelers to enjoy its milder weather, cozy restaurants, and the iconic Haystack Rock with fewer beachside crowds.
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Milder temps, fewer crowds, and the essence of fall in the air mean leaf-peeping adventures are a colorful way to make travel memories. The professional experts of Casago will ensure a perfect stay to go with all of your fall foliage fun! Get ready to leaf yourself go!
