Every autumn in early October, families across the country pile into their cars: kids and coolers full of sandwiches and fall treats cramped in the back. Everyone with the singular mission of catching the perfect glimpse of the best fall foliage in the USA.
Jump to:
There are few places on earth where the transformation is as vibrant as in the United States. A fiery palette of reds, oranges, and yellows boldly painting the horizon as you drive along Route 112. The beauty of fall is just one of the reasons we love fall in the USA so much!
But here’s the secret: while millions of people flock to the same famous spots, there are still plenty of places to see the best fall foliage in the USA without dealing with big crowds during your scenic drive. From quiet river gorges in Oregon to the tucked-away towns of New England, you can find room for your family to breathe, and for your kids to make snow angels in the leaves without bumping into another tourist.
- Check out scenic US road trips even better in the fall if you are planning your own family road trip! Don't miss out on road trip mistakes and pitfalls and fall road trip essentials.
Plan Your Trip
Save on fees abroad with the Wise Card—use it at ATMs, restaurants, and for flights or hotels in over 150 countries. Manage 40+ currencies in real-time with the Wise app.
Need Help Planning?
- Cheap Flights: Find the best deals.
- Accommodation: From hostels to luxury stays.
- Car Rental: Affordable options worldwide.
- Sightseeing Tours: Explore without breaking the bank.
- Travel Adapter: One adapter for all your needs.
- Travel Insurance: Don’t risk it—stay covered.
This post includes affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure and privacy policy.
This guide organizes the best places to for leaf-peeping by region in peak fall 2025.
Best Fall Foliage in the Northeast
New Hampshire
The White Mountains put on one of the brightest shows in New England. By mid-October, sugar maples erupt into brilliant reds, framed by orange and yellow birches. Driving the 34-mile Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) with the family felt like being inside a kaleidoscope of color. With no gas stations or shops to distract, it’s just you, the trees, and the smell of crisp mountain air.
We pulled off for a picnic, while the kids ran through leaf piles and the dog set out to disturb the local squirrel community's peace and quite.
You can even book a day trip to the fall leaves in New Hampshire: with hiking trails and a guide.
Vermont
Stowe, often called the “fall color capital,” is everything you’d hope for: golden hillsides, fiery reds around the church steeples, and quiet walks up Smuggler’s Notch. We went late September, and it was like stepping into a postcard. For a bigger adventure, Green Mountain National Forest spreads out in every direction, with 400,000 acres of trails turning into a patchwork of color. The wide valleys and mountain backdrops make for endless family photos (and yes, the kids collected enough leaves to fill half the trunk).
Massachusetts
In the Berkshires, the soft blues and greens of the evergreens only make the yellows and reds look sharper. We followed the Mohawk Trail on Route 2. It has winding curves, a famous Hairpin Turn that had the kids squealing, and finally Greylock Mountain, where the horizon was nothing but layers of color rolling away like waves.
Connecticut & Rhode Island
Kent, Connecticut, often named one of the best places to see fall foliage in New England, is just right for families. Covered bridges, cozy downtowns to stop for a late lunch, and even a scenic train ride. The colors wrap themselves around the history here, from old churches to stone walls.
We turned it into a day trip, slipping into Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley before dinner. By the time we reached Newport, tall ships were silhouetted against golden trees along the bay.
Best Autumn Colors in the Tri-State Area
New York
The Catskills never disappoint! Hiking Hannacroix Creek Preserve, we followed a trail that ended at a waterfall framed in yellow and orange.
The Adirondacks, by contrast, show off on a grander scale: six million acres where the colors ripple like a wave, shifting from bright yellow near lakes to deeper reds on higher slopes.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the best states for families looking to escape the crowds while still seeing incredible color, even if it is not as famous. We biked the Great Allegheny Passage on a quiet October day, the kids racing through crunchy piles of leaves.
Pine Creek Gorge added surprising purples to the usual reds and yellows, while Big Pocono State Park gave us a summit view across Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey all at once.
Best Fall Foliage in the Midwest & Great Lakes
On our fall foliage map, here’s where the crowds really start thin, without compromising on the beauty of fall.
Want to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later when you're planning your trip!
Wisconsin & Minnesota
In Door County’s Peninsula State Park, one of the forgotten US landmarks, the fiery maples blaze brightest in mid-October, reflected in Lake Michigan. Meanwhile, in Lilydale, Minnesota, the kids had the trails almost entirely to themselves.
Michigan
Mackinac Island, where cars are banned, bursts into golds and reds by mid-October. Perfect for a scenic fall biking experience! We explored on bikes and even a horse-drawn carriage, snacking on fudge while crunching through leaf-covered trails. With fewer crowds than New England, it’s a family trip that feels unique to us, and not just a copy + paste of what everyone else on Facebook is going.
Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park lights up in late October with reds, yellows, and rose-colored hues. We spread out a picnic by Brandywine Falls while the kids tried to build a leaf fort.
And yes, there are also some Fantastic Spots in South!
Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park
(Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina)
For one of the most family-friendly road trips in the country, nothing beats the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. Connecting Shenandoah National Park to the Smokies, it offers constant views of rolling ridges splashed with color.
In mid-to-late October, we wound through tunnels of red and orange, stopping for short hikes so the kids could stretch their legs. Even the dog seemed at peace, ears flying out the window.
Finding the best Fall Foliage in the West
This is where families can really avoid the crowds while still experiencing dazzling color.
Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge glows in mid-October with golden cottonwoods and fiery red maples. We hiked part of the Multnomah Falls trail, the roar of the water mixing with the crunch of leaves underfoot. The Scenic Byway makes it easy to pull off for photos without feeling rushed by traffic.
Wyoming
In Grand Teton and Yellowstone, aspens turn bright yellow, accented with hints of orange and even purples. We stayed in Jackson Hole, where mornings meant leaf piles bigger than the kids themselves—and quieter trails than we’d ever found back East.
Arizona
Northern Arizona lights up in waves. In Flagstaff and north of the Grand Canyon, colors peak in late September, then sweep south into Sedona by mid-October, and finally the Chiricahua Mountains in November. Following the leaves south became one of our favorite family road trips—chasing fall instead of crowds.
Colorado
Aspen is aptly named: the golden groves here look like sunlight captured in leaves. Late September is peak time. We camped near Maroon Bells and woke up to a sunrise where the entire valley glowed. Independence Pass offers another unforgettable drive, with plenty of safe pull-offs for families.
Washington
Mount Rainier puts on a different show: orange and crimson meadows beneath snow-dusted peaks. Between Sunrise, Reflection Lakes, and the Grove of the Patriarchs, there’s a trail for every age. We even managed to keep the kids entertained with leaf-collecting contests along the way.
Take Highway 50 to California and Nevada
Lake Tahoe straddles both states, and the surrounding forests flame orange and gold. Driving Highway 50, the Sierra Nevada Mountains framed the colors like a painting. For a quieter escape, we detoured around Donner Lake, where the kids skipped stones while we admired the fiery reflections in the water.
Top Tips to Plan a Crowd-Free Fall Foliage Trip
While leaves can start turning as early as mid-September, October is the best time to go see the most breathtaking foliage in the USA. To avoid crowds, plan your scenic drives for weekdays, look for under-the-radar locations like Minnesota’s Lilydale or Michigan’s Mackinac Island, and don’t be afraid to head West! Wyoming, Oregon, and Arizona offer stunning color without the usual rush of tourists.
For families, the joy of fall is in slowing down: crunching through leaves, sipping cider at a roadside stand, or simply sitting together watching the hillsides turn to fire.
Adapted from the following FDL article "The most scenic places for fall-peeping in the United States" (also written by me, Ksenia)
