13 Wonderful National Parks in the U.S. That You Can Enjoy in the Fall

Summer is the peak time for the majority of national parks in the United States. With architects from all over the world—in Shanghai, San Francisco and Oslo, getting involved in designing parts of these parks, they have become ‘the place’ to visit in the summer. Tourists from across the U.S. and around the world hike the Rocky Mountain National Park, visit the Grand Canyon or watch a geyser in Yellowstone.
But with dipping temperatures, the crowds also disappear. However, fall is, actually, the perfect season to visit national parks. Fewer people, cooler temperature, and stunningly colorful foliage are all reasons to schedule your visits to these parks in the fall. It is the season when everything looks picture perfect. Plan your trek between September and November to have a brilliant and peaceful visit, and here is where you can go:
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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Where: Ohio
Month: October
The sugar maples, red oaks, and the numerous other oak trees help the national park come to life with the colors of the fall. The red, yellow, and orange hues of the trees are picturesque. The best time to visit this national park is in the last couple of weeks in October.
2. Acadia National Park

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Where: Maine
Month: October
The summer breeze, the crisp temperature, the changing colors, and the stunning scenery make this park a beautiful choice in the fall.  The unpaved carriage roads are closed to motor vehicles and make for an idyllic setting to hike through the Park’s maple, birch, and poplar trees. Also, Hiking up the Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view sunrise in the U.S. between October 7 and March 6, is a good reason why you should visit this park in the fall. Another reason to visit? You can drive along the rocky coastline and enjoy the ocean breeze.
3. Death Valley National Park

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Where: California
Month: October
With high temperatures in summer, it is best to explore the Death Valley National Park in winter or fall. The undulating landscape, coupled with the orange rays of the sun during fall, makes for picturesque views.
4. Crater National Park

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Where: Oregon
When: September
The Crater national park, like the name suggests, has a lake in a dormant volcano crater. It is surrounded by 2000 foot cliffs, and the deep blue water collects into the crater. Every third weekend of September, the East Rim Drive of the lake is closed to vehicles and one can walk, bike, or run along the rim of the deepest lake in the U.S.
5. Grand Teton National Park

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Where: Wyoming
Month: Mid-September to Mid-October
This is a really busy place during summers, because of the beauty of its grounds. But when it becomes fall, the banks flanked with red-leaved trees are only visited by very few. The snow-capped Mountains of Teton provide exquisite backdrops along with the large and colorful deciduous trees, like aspen, cottonwoods, and willows. Additionally, Teton is rich with wildlife, like elk spars, bull mooses, as well as bears.
6. Everglades National Park

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Where: Florida
Month: Late October
Florida in the summer is a strict no-no. It is quite hot and sticky, so schedule your trip in the fall or winter months. In this park,  you get to see alligators and ride on an airboat to see the swamps.
7. Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Where: California
Month: October
There are very few national parks which have all four types of volcanoes in the same place, and Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of them. The remote wilderness of this park serves an eclectic mix of fall colors, particularly in October. The gold hues of Aspen, Oaks, and Sagebrush in stark contrast to the blue lakes, jagged craters, and sulfur vents make for breathtaking views.
8. Guadalupe National Park

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Where: Texas
Month: October end – November beginning
One of the most underrated and overlooked national parks, the Guadalupe is a sight for sore eyes in the fall. The outer region stays dark green and brown but McKittrick Canyon’s maples, desert shrubs, and oaks are painted in beautiful hues of red and yellow.
9. Rocky Mountain National Park

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Where: Colorado
Month: October – November
Golden leaves are a good enough reason to visit the RockyMountain National Park. If you need more, there is also the wildlife in the national park like elk, moose, black bears, and even bighorn sheep who lock their horns and get into head-butting competitions. The yellow aspen trees and the breathtaking vistas are worth the trip to this high-altitude park
10. Mount Rainier National Park

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Where: Washington
Month: September
The fall one experiences at Mount Rainier is like no other. The Aspen, Vine Maple, Cottonwood, Huckleberry bush, Tamarack, Elderberry, and Willow all get dressed in various shades of gold and crimson. The best fall foliage can be found between Sunrise and Chinook Pass. The Reflection Lakes is a place where you can take the most amazing photos, and the Mt. Rainer Scenic Railroad is a fun place to take the kids as well.
11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Where: Tenessee
Month: October
Unlike with most of the big national parks in the west, the majority of the trees in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park lose their leaves in the fall. Those leaves cover the hills in hues of red and yellow, making for the most popular park to visit in fall. Accordingly, the park is always packed in October. To have the best experience, apart from the crowds, try visiting in the middle of the week. You will have all the time to walk amongst the Poplar, Oak, and Birch trees, and additionally enjoy the view of yellow, orange, red and purple foliage.
12. Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park

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Where: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia
Month: October end
Situated near the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, this National Park has 70% deciduous trees. Visitors can, therefore, expect a cornucopia of colors. Furthermore, hikers can journey through the Appalachian Trail.
13. Glacier National Park

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Where: Montana
Month: September
Trees on the west side begin to show signs of red in mid-September, while in the east, color changes at the end of September and the beginning of October.
Whether you prefer driving, cycling, or hiking, these National parks will prove to be unforgettable in the fall.

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