The fall season is an amazing time to visit many of the US national parks! On an autumn road trip, you can enjoy fall foliage, mild weather in the desert parks, and in many areas, fewer crowds.
If you’re thinking about planning a fall national park trip, this list will give you ideas of where to go, and tips along the way. This list is based on my experiences from visiting 59 US national parks.
Things To Know About Visiting National Parks in the Fall
- In high altitude parks (such as Glacier and Rocky Mountain), the weather can be unpredictable in the fall. Make sure to check the forecast ahead of time and come prepared for snow and icy weather.
- In parks that are popular for fall foliage, such as Acadia, you might encounter big crowds when the leaves are at their peak.
- I love listening to Guide Along audio tours when I travel to national parks! They have tours for Shenandoah, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and many other parks on this list.
- If you’re visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, you’ll probably save money with the America the Beautiful pass.
- Make sure to leave no trace when you spend time outdoors. That includes packing out your trash, not feeding wildlife, staying on the trails, and planning ahead.
The 18 Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is a gorgeous New England park known for its mountain peaks, oceanside cliffs and fun trails. In my opinion, it’s easily one of the best national parks to visit in the fall. You can admire vibrant fall leaves, and enjoy crisp hiking weather.
This park is popular in the fall, so you might encounter crowds. You also might have rainy weather in the fall, so bring a raincoat. However, seeing the fall leaves is worth braving some rain. Peak fall foliage occurs in Acadia in early to mid-October.
The Best Things To Do in Acadia National Park:
- Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain (a reservation is required).
- Walk the Jesup Path, which is a stunning place for fall colors.
- Rent bikes and explore the Carriage Roads.
- Go hiking! A few of my favorite trails include the Beehive Trail, the Beech Mountain South Ridge Loop and the Precipice Trail.
- Eat popovers at Jordan Pond House.
Pro Tip: Be logged on right when reservations go on sale to watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. They can be hard to get.
Read my fall guide to visiting Acadia
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is well known for its waterfalls, diverse plant life, wildlife, and mountainous hiking trails. It’s the most visited of the 63 US national parks, and visitors come from all over to enjoy cozy cabin stays and experience the park.
This park typically receives several weeks of vibrant fall foliage. The exact date of peak is hard to predict, but mid to late October is usually the best time. October is the busiest month in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so expect crowds and seek out less popular areas for solitude.
The Best Things To Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
- Hike to the top of the Kuwohi Observation Tower, which is the highest point in the park.
- Take a scenic drive through Cades Cove.
- Hike to a waterfall, such as Abrams Falls.
- Hike up to stay in LeConte Lodge, the highest guest lodge in the eastern US.
Pro Tip: While the park itself is free to visit, there is a parking fee. More trailheads don’t have fee kiosks, so you’ll need to go to certain areas to purchase your parking passes. If you purchase your parking pass online, you’ll need to print it.
3. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is an iconic park home to alpine lakes, lots of wildlife and endless mountain views. In the fall, the aspen trees glow in shades of gold. Fall comes early in high elevations, so late-September tends to be the best time to see the colors. Keep in mind that fall in the mountains can bring snow and cold temperatures, so come prepared.
The Best Things To Do in Rocky Mountain National Park:
- Drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the US.
- Go hiking in the Bear Lake Corridor. One of the most famous hikes is the trail to Emerald Lake.
- Hike in other areas of the park. A couple great trails include Gem Lake and Deer Mountain.
Pro Tip: Reservations are required to enter the park at certain times until October 12th.
Read my guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
4. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah is a mountainous park with an epic scenic drive, rocky hikes and many waterfalls. This park is not far from Washington DC, so it’s easy to get to, and has hikes that range from easy to difficult. There is something for everyone.
Shenandoah a beautiful place to enjoy fall foliage, with mid-October usually being the peak time to see vibrant colors.
The Best Things To Do in Shenandoah National Park:
- Take in the views from Skyline Drive.
- Hike to a waterfall, such as Dark Hollow Falls.
- Hike to a mountain peak, such as Stony Man.
Pro Tip: Listen to the Guide Along Audio Tour for stories about the park while you drive Skyline Drive!
5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley is an Ohio national park that isn’t far from the Cleveland metro area. This park embodies the story of recovery and renewal, as a lot has been done to clean up the Cuyahoga River. The park has trails with interesting rocks, lush waterfalls, a biking trail along a former canal, and even a train that goes through the park.
Fall is a great time of year to visit for fall colors and cool hiking temperatures. Foliage tends to peak in late October.
The Best Things To Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
- Walk or bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
- Hike the Ledges Trail.
- Visit Brandywine Falls.
- Take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Pro Tip: You can bike one way and return on the train with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Explorer Program.
6. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion offers some of the most iconic views in the United States! The park is home to a massive canyon with walls that are 100’s of feet high. During a visit here, you can hike through rivers, gaze upon the canyon from above and below, admire waterfalls, and more.
Zion gets quite hot in the summer, so it’s best to avoid the warmest months. Fall offers some of the best hiking temperatures and brings slightly less crowds when kids are in school.
Zion also has a bit of fall foliage. While the park is more known for desert landscapes, there are trees around the park that change colors. You’ll notice changing foliage in the higher elevations starting in early October, and colors in Zion Canyon in late October to early November.
The Best Things To Do in Zion National Park:
- Hike the Narrows, an incredible trail that traverses through a river with narrow canyon walls that are 100’s of feet tall.
- Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and drive through the iconic tunnel.
- Snag a permit for Angel’s Landing, an infamous hike known for its narrow chain section.
- Enjoy some of the best views in the park from Observation Point.
- Hike up The Watchman Trail, which leaves from the visitor center.
Pro Tip: You’ll need to take a shuttle to reach some of the most popular trails and areas of the park, such as Angel’s Landing and The Narrows.
Read my guide to Zion National Park
7. North Cascades National Park, Washington
North Cascades is a paradise for hikers. The park is full of backcountry, rugged exploration and has endless opportunities to admire alpine lakes, mountain peaks and stunning mountain scenery. This park has a relatively short season when it can be fully enjoyed, as the main access road closes during the winter.
A fall visit to North Cascades can be an incredible time to admire golden larches, which is a certain type of tree that glows a brilliant golden-yellow before the needles are shed. You can typically see the larches from late September to mid-October.
The Best Things To Do in North Cascades National Park:
- Stop at the overlooks along the North Cascades Highway. The most famous is the Diablo Lake Overlook.
- Look for golden larches along popular trails such as the Maple Pass Loop or Blue Lake.
Pro Tip: Bring layers and be prepared for a variety of weather in the fall.
Read my guide to North Cascades National Park
8. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce is a fascinating Utah park known for its canyon full of hoodoos. It has the highest elevation out of the Utah Mighty Five, so you might see snow in October. But early fall is a wonderful time to visit for cool hiking temperatures, and the park is really beautiful with a dusting of snow.
The Best Things To Do in Bryce Canyon National Park:
- Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail.
- Take the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset from one of the overlooks.
- Hike the Fairyland Loop Trail.
- Hike the Mossy Cave Trail.
Pro Tip: Rainbow Point is the highest point in the park, so you’ll find more snow there.
Read my guide to visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
9. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
West Virginia’s national park is a beautiful place for hiking, white water rafting and enjoying canyon views. It’s a great park for fall foliage, and the leaves are typically more colorful in the second half of October and into November.
New River Gorge is also famous for Bridge Day, where thrill seekers spend the day base jumping off of the New River Gorge Bridge. This occurs on the third Saturday of October, which is also a good time for fall colors.
Plus, September and October is also a great time for high-intensity white water rafting. This is known as Gauley Season, and the event takes place due to scheduled water releases from Summersville Dam.
The Best Things To Do in New River Gorge National Park:
- Go on the ‘Bridge Walk,’ which takes you on the catwalk below the New River Gorge Bridge.
- Go hiking. A few trails I love are the Long Point Trail, Kaymoor Miners Trail and Castle Rock trail.
- Go white water rafting.
- Visit the Thurmond Ghost Town.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to visit during Bridge Day, expect crowds and book your lodging early.
Read my guide to New River Gorge National Park
10. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave is home to the longest cave system in the world. Since the cave keeps a constant temperature, this park is nice to visit year round. However, there are also above ground hiking trails that are beautiful during autumn. The fall foliage is typically most vibrant in late October.
The Best Things To Do in Mammoth Cave National Park:
- Take a tour inside the cave! There are many different tours to choose from. I enjoyed the Grand Passage Tour.
- Go hiking above ground. I enjoyed the trail to Green River and Dixon Cave.
Pro Tip: Book your cave tour tickets at least a week in advance, they sell out!
11. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree is a unique South Carolina national park that protects the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast US. It’s a beautiful park for hiking or paddling.
Congaree floods frequently, most often in winter and spring. And the summer months can be quite hot and humid, so fall tends to be the best time to visit.
The Best Things To Do in Congaree National Park:
- Hike on the raised boardwalk for a great introduction to the park.
- Hike deeper into the park on the Weston Lake Loop Trail.
- Kayak or canoe to enjoy the scenery from a different perspective. I enjoyed going on a guided trip with JK Adventure Guides.
Pro Tip: Bring your insect repellant, the mosquitos can be bad at Congaree (although they’re worse in the summer).
12. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend is one of the most underrated national parks! This remote Texas park sits right on the Mexico border and is home to 1,000’s of miles of mountains, desert landscapes, hot springs, and more.
Big Bend gets quite hot in the summer, so fall brings more mild temperatures. You can also enjoy foliage along the Rio Grande River, and fewer people visit in the fall versus the spring.
The Best Things To Do in Big Bend National Park:
- Cross the border into Mexico and visit the town of Boquillas del Carmen.
- Get up close to the Rio Grande River on the Boquillas Canyon Trail.
- Hike in the mountains on the Lost Mine Trail or Window Trail.
- Take a soak in the Hot Springs Historic District.
Pro Tip: Major weather forecasts typically report the temperatures at the Park Headquarters, but this area sits at a higher elevation than much of the park. Most of the park tends to be 10 degrees hotter.
Read my West Texas road trip itinerary, which includes Big Bend
13. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef is one of the most underrated Utah national parks, in my opinion at least. Many people just do a quick drive through of this park, there is a lot more to see if you have a 4x4 vehicle.
The Utah desert is very hot in the summer, so fall is the perfect time to visit for more mild temperatures. Plus, you can see the cottonwood trees turn gold in the fall. This typically happens from mid-October to early November.
The Best Things To Do in Capitol Reef National Park:
- Grab some pie from Gifford Homestead. It is typically open until late November.
- Hike to Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge.
- With a 4x4 vehicle, spend a day driving through the remote and beautiful Cathedral Valley, or taking the “Loop-the-Fold” driving tour.
Pro Tip: The pie at Gifford Homestead can sell out later in the day, go early!
Read my guide to Capitol Reef National Park
14. Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles is one of the least visited California national parks, and is known for its stunning rock formations, caves and massive California condors. It’s relatively small, but great for hiking.
Pinnacles National Park is very hot in the summer, so spring, winter and fall are the best times to visit. Spring is a busier time than fall, so you can enjoy fewer crowds.
Another factor to consider when visiting Pinnacles is when the caves will be open. The Bear Gulch Cave closes seasonally due to bats, and the entire cave is only open twice a year, once being in October. If you can time your visit right in October, it’s the perfect time to visit!
The Best Things To Do in Pinnacles National Park:
- Explore the Talus Caves.
- Hike a loop around the park on the High Peaks Trail.
- Look for California condors.
Pro Tip: Bring a headlamp to explore the caves!
15. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes protects the tallest sand dunes in North America! In addition to the sand dunes, this Colorado park protects wetlands, forest, alpine lakes and tundra. It’s a beautiful place to hike, sled or sand board, and relax on the sands.
Fall brings cooler temperatures and is a great time for hiking. Plus, you can enjoy fall foliage. There are aspens trees that tend to change color in late September, plus cottonwood trees that turn gold in early to mid October. This park makes for a great fall weekend trip.
The Best Things To Do in Great Sand Dunes National Park:
- Bring or rent a sandboard or sled, and fly down the dunes.
- Hike up the dunes on the High Dune Loop.
- If you have a 4x4 vehicle, head to the higher elevation part of the park and hike to Medano Lake.
- Hike to Zapata Falls. This is outside of the national park, but very close by.
Pro Tip: Make sure to wax up your sand board or sled so that you slide quickly.
16. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands is another Utah national park located in Moab, very close to Arches. The park is famous for its deep canyons that have been carved away by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Plus, the park has arches, craters and other unique rocks.
The summers here tend to be quite hot for hiking, so fall is a much nicer time for mild weather. Spring tends to be busier than fall, so you should enjoy fewer crowds in the autumn months.
The Best Things To Do in Canyonlands National Park, Utah:
- Explore the various overlooks and hikes in the Islands of the Sky District.
- Visit the more remote districts of the park, such as the Needles District.
- If you have a 4x4 vehicle, drive to the bottom of the canyon on the Shafer Trail Road or the Potash Road.
Pro Tip: Watch the sunrise at Mesa Arch.
Read my Moab itinerary, which includes Canyonlands
17. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier is my favorite US national park! The park has an abundance of alpine lakes, scenic views and hiking trails that will leave you in awe. You’ll want to visit in early fall, as later in the fall can be a hit or miss in terms of weather in the park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes due to snow in mid-October.
However, if you’re lucky, you’ll have nice weather and get to see beautiful fall foliage. You can see golden larches, aspens and other colorful trees around the park. Late-September and early-October tend to be the best time to see foliage.
The Best Things To Do in Glacier National Park:
- Drive the Going-to-the-Sun road, which has lots of incredible views.
- Go hiking. There are so many trails throughout the park for all difficulties. A few trails off the Going-to-the-Sun road include Avalanche Lake, the Highline Trail and the Hidden Lake Overlook.
- Take a boat tour or rent a kayak to explore one of the lakes around the park. The most famous is Lake McDonald.
- Enjoy a huckleberry bearclaw from Polebridge Mercantile.
Pro Tip: Be prepared for all types of weather in the fall by wearing layers. And be sure to carry bear spray while hiking.
Read my guide to visiting Glacier National Park in September
18. Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali is a stunning Alaskan national park that is known for its vast wilderness. It’s a place that is incredible for remote backpacking, spotting wildlife (including grizzly bears and moose) and adventurous trails.
Similar to other high altitude parks, the weather in Denali can be cold and snowy in the fall, but it’s worth it to enjoy fewer crowds and experience the quiet beauty of the park.
Fall comes early in Denali, and you can see some foliage starting in August. Foliage typically lasts until mid-September. The buses inside of the park end the second Thursday after Labor Day. After that, you can drive your own vehicle to mile 30 (when buses are running, you can only take your own car to mile 15). The road remains open until October 15, weather permitting.
The Best Things To Do in Denali National Park:
- Hike one of the maintained trails near the entrance of the park, such as Mount Healy Overlook.
- Take a transit or tour bus to explore deeper into the park.
- Embark on an off-trail hike, but be sure to properly prepare and discuss your plans with a ranger ahead of time.
- Take a flightseeing tour to see the Denali from above.
- Visit the sled dog kennels, where there is a demonstration that goes until mid-September.
Pro Tip: You are encouraged to hike off-trail in most of the park and can do this by utilizing the transit buses. Make sure you carry bear spray and are prepared to use it.
Read my guide to Denali National Park
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide gives you some ideas for which national parks are great to visit in September and October! From fall foliage to crisp weather, fall is an amazing time to see some of the most incredible natural places across the United States.
For more ideas on national park trips, check out these guides:
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
- An Epic West Texas and New Mexico National Park Road Trip
- An Epic Itinerary for the Utah Mighty Five
- How to Spend 3 Days in Acadia National Park
Thanks for Reading!
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