If you’re wondering about the best national parks to visit for an October trip, this list has several ideas! From vibrant fall foliage to desert landscapes, October is a great time to enjoy some of the best US national parks.
Whether you have a fall break, or are just looking for ideas for an October road trip, October is a great time for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
I’m an avid national park traveler who has almost been to all 63 US national parks, and these picks are based on my experiences in the parks. Use this list to come up with ideas for a fall national park trip, and guide your planning process.
I tried to keep this list short so that I could really focus on the best parks for October, but it was hard to narrow it down. For more ideas, check out my longer lists of the national parks to visit in the fall.
No matter which national park you visit, please make sure to leave no trace! That includes packing out all of your trash, following all park rules, never feeding wildlife and staying on durable surfaces. Please make an effort to respect our public lands.
14 of the Best US National Parks to Visit in October
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Average temperatures in October: 55° F / 38° F
Acadia sits on the coast of Maine and is home to rocky cliffs, epic sunrises, unique trails and lots of beauty. I think that October is the best time to visit Acadia, most because you can enjoy some incredibly vibrant fall foliage. Plus, the first sunrise in the US occurs in Acadia between early October and early March.
A couple of the best places to go to see fall colors include the Jesup Path and the Beehive Trail. The Beehive Trail includes ladder rungs built into a cliff, so avoid it if you’re afraid of heights. If that’s exciting to you, you should also do the Precipice Trail, which is a longer and more intense version of the Beehive Trail with lots of ladders.
October can be rainy and foggy, but you can experience that in the summer months too. Make sure to bring a raincoat and be prepared. Even with a little rain, I think that Acadia is easily one of the best US national parks to visit in the fall.
Read my fall guide to Acadia National Park
2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Average temperatures in October: 63° F / 44° F
Cuyahoga Valley is famous for its river transformation. The Cuyahoga River used to be so polluted that is caught fire in 1969. But that sparked an environmental movement, and today, the river is on the mend. This park not only protects some of this river and the surrounding valley, but is home to waterfalls, beautiful rock formations, biking paths, a train, and more.
October is one of the best times to visit Cuyahoga Valley for cool hiking temperatures and fall foliage. Foliage typically peaks around the third week of October and you can enjoy a tapestry of colors throughout the park. October can be crowded, so plan to arrive early, especially on weekends when the weather is nice.
Tip: A ride of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a great way to see fall foliage.
Read my guide to visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park
3. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Average temperatures in October: 63° F / 45° F
New River Gorge is a beautiful park known for its mining ruins, massive bridge, famous rivers and rocky ledges. October is an amazing time to visit for white water rafting, fall foliage, Bridge Day, and great hiking weather.
If you’re into white water rafting, September and early October is the time of year when you can raft down the famous Gauley River. It’s said to be the most adventurous rafting in the eastern US. It’s controlled by dam releases, so you’re typically only able to raft here on weekends in September into mid-October.
New River Gorge also has beautiful fall foliage, and that tends to peak in mid to late October. But perhaps the best reason to visit in October is for Bridge Day. This is the one day all year when the New River Gorge Bridge closes to cars and adventure seekers can BASE jump, rappel or even zipline from the bridge. If that’s not your speed, it’s still an incredible event to watch, and there are tons of vendors set up along the road. Bridge Days occurs on the third Saturday of October.
Read my guide to visiting New River Gorge National Park
4. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Average temperatures in October: 70° F / 38° F
Canyonlands is a convergence of deep canyons, towering rock spires and rivers that have been carving away rocks for millions of years. Much of this park is remote, making it great for adventurers who want to get off the beaten path. Canyonlands is not far from Arches National Park, making it a great add on to a Moab trip.
October is a great time to visit Canyonlands due to the weather. October brings cool weather during the day that is perfect for hiking, and it tends to be a dry month. However, be prepared for chilly nights.
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Average temperatures in October: 62° F / 36° F
Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives more visitors than any other park, and has a beautiful variety of hiking trails, views and wildlife.
This park is especially beautiful in the fall, and foliage typically peaks between mid-October and early November. Along with vibrant fall colors, fall brings good hiking weather. Due to the beauty of the foliage, October is one of the busiest months in this park. I recommend seeking out less popular trails and arriving to popular areas very early to avoid some of the crowds.
6. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Average temperatures in October: 57° F / 39° F
Shenandoah is a mountainous park full of scenic vistas, waterfalls and rocky cliffs. The parks close proximity to Washington D.C. makes it a popular and easy park to visit.
Shenandoah is beautiful year round, but October is the prime time to enjoy colorful foliage. The leaves typically peak in mid to late October.
Fall is a very popular time in this park, so plan to go early or visit on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
7. Zion National Park, Utah
Average temperatures in October: 66° F / 39° F
Zion is a breathtaking national park home to a deep canyon, tall waterfalls, unique trails and more. It’s one of the most visited national parks for good reason.
October is one of the best months to visit Zion due to the cool hiking weather. Plus, even though this is a desert park, you can see a bit of fall foliage at the end of October.
October also tends to be less crowded than the summer, which is the peak time in this busy park. And if you’re looking for fewer crowds on the famous Narrows hike, October is good time for it. However, the water may be quite cold, so you’ll likely want to rent additional gear, such as drysuits.
8. Pinnacles National Park, California
Average temperatures in October: 80° F / 40° F
Pinnacles is a California park known for its rocks, caves and huge California condors. It’s a relatively small park, but great for anyone who loves hiking.
One of the coolest parts of Pinnacles is the Talus Caves, but they are closed for large portions of the year to protect the bats during pupping season, and for other reasons.
October and March are usually the only months of the year when the entire Bear Gulch Cave is open. This generally happens in the last week of October, with a chance of being open for the entire month of October.
Plus, October offers decent weather for hiking. This is a park you should avoid in the summer due to heat.
9. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Average temperatures in October: 63° F / 49° F
Capitol Reef is another Utah national park that is beautiful in the fall. This park protects a geologic phenomenon known as the Waterpocket Fold, which is literally like a giant wrinkle in the earth. The park is home to natural bridges, canyons, cliffs and other fascinating rock formations.
October brings nice hiking weather and fall foliage. You can see fall leaves in the Fruita District, along the rivers, and in other parts of the park. Foliage tends to be best from mid to late October.
Capitol Reef tends to be overlooked, but I highly recommend spending some time here on a Utah Mighty Five road trip.
Read my itinerary for Capitol Reef
10. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Average temperatures in October: 65° F / 33° F
The Grand Canyon is a natural wonder that every American should see at least once. The canyon is 277 miles long and a mile deep, and has been carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.
October is one of the best months to visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. October brings cool hiking temperatures, fewer crowds and fall foliage. You can enjoy yellow aspens, cottonwoods and other colorful trees, and they tend to peak in early to mid October.
Keep in mind that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has a shorter season, and facilities tend to close in mid-October. However, early October can still be a great time for this part of the park.
11. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Average temperatures in October: 57° F / 28° F
Bryce Canyon is a gorgeous park known for its sea of orange hoodoos. It’s a relatively small park, but offers some incredible views and hiking trails. It’s a must-visit if you’re planning a trip to see Utah national parks!
Bryce sits at a higher elevation than the other Utah national parks, so it will be a bit colder here in October. Snow can occur in October, although it’s not super common. Come prepared for it just in case. In my opinion, snow in Bryce is a very beautiful sight.
You can also enjoy some fall foliage in Bryce in early October. There are yellow aspen trees that complement the green ponderosa pines and orange hoodoos nicely. Keep in mind that foliage can peak in September, so stick to early in October for the best chances to see this.
Along with the fall colors, October brings good hiking temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer months.
Read my guide to Bryce Canyon National Park
12. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Average temperatures in October: 59° F / 38° F
The Guadalupe Mountains are a scenic mountain range located on the West Texas and New Mexico border. There are amazing hiking opportunities in this park, including hiking to the tallest peak in Texas.
October is a great time in this park to enjoy cool hiking weather and fall colors. McKittrick Canyon is an amazing area of the park for seeing fall foliage, and the colors tend to peak at the end of October.
The elevation and environmental factors in the Guadalupe Mountains make the foliage particularly striking. The park can be crowded when the foliage is at its peak, and the parking lots aren’t huge. It’s best to go quite early, or on a weekday, to enjoy the sights were fewer people.
Read my guide to visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park
13. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Average temperatures in October: 64° F / 47° F
Haleakalā is where volcanic craters meet lush greenery. The park has a massive elevation difference, with the tallest point being over 10,000 feet, and the lower areas being close to sea level. You can explore the two distinctly different areas when you visit.
October is a great time to visit for nice weather and fewer crowds than summer. However, keep in mind that the summit area can be very cold and windy (it can be this way year round). Be sure to pack warm layers, especially if you’re visiting for sunrise.
Tip: Sunrise from the summit district is amazing, but you need a reservation. Be logged on and ready 60 days or 2 days ahead of your date to snag your spot.
Read my guide to visiting Haleakalā National Park
14. Arches National Park, Utah
Average temperatures in October: 72° F / 42° F
Arches is home to 1000s of arch formations and the entire park offers views of interesting rocks of all shapes and sizes. One of the most famous arches is Delicate Arch, which is featured on the Utah license plate. But there are so many other interesting formations as well.
October is a great time to visit for cool hiking temperatures and fewer crowds than summer. You can also enjoy some fall foliage, which is typically best seen in mid to late October.
Honorable Mentions
Final Thoughts
I hope this lists gives you some great ideas for a fall national park road trip! From fall foliage to volcanic landscapes to canyons, October is an incredible time to visit so many national parks. I hope you can plan a beautiful road trip to see some of the most beautiful places in the United States.
For more US National Park Guides, check out these blogs:
- The Best National Park to Visit in the Spring
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
- How to Avoid Crowds in National Parks
- A Guide to Which National Parks Require Reservations
- Exactly How to Plan a National Park Road Trip
Thanks for Reading!
Let's stay in touch!
Join the Lost with Lydia email list to get monthly travel guides and tips!
