8 Leaf-Peeping Locations In The U.S. To Visit This Fall
Does anyone else feel like summer was rather long and exceptionally hot this year? If you’re like me, you’re ready for a cozy blanket on a crisp day. I’m ready for sweater-weather with a hot cup of coffee…plus a Grab The Gold bar, of course! 😋 If this sounds good to you too, where can you get a taste of fall? I’m thinking leaf-peeping country!
I’ve put together a list of 8 locations around the U.S. for you to experience the perfect, leaf-peeping getaway. Once you’ve read this article, you’re going to want to pack a bag and hit the road.
Destination #1: Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Located in the heart of the White Mountains and surrounded by 4,000-foot hills. Waterville Valley is the perfect fall getaway location. By driving down route 49, you can experience vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red. Peak foliage for 2021, is anticipated to be October 4th-22nd. So don’t wait too long!
Destination #2: Stowe, Vermont. Stowe’s nickname is the Fall Color Capital. It’s for a good reason too! You can take in the area’s blazing Autumn colors from early September through late October. With a stretch like that, you have plenty of flexibility to pick a weekend that fits your schedule. Check out their Fall Facts and FAQs here.
Destination #3: Franklin, Tennessee. We may be a little biased, but our very own Franklin, Tennessee can’t be left off the list! The section of the Natchez Trace Parkway that runs through Franklin is my personal favorite. Here you can soak up the fall foliage from above. Milepost 438, marks the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge. This bridge stretches 1,572 feet long and stands 145 feet tall over Birdsong Hollow. It’s guaranteed to give you all the leaf-peeping feels. For optimal views, stand in the middle of the bridge. The fall colors stretch for miles here. Save the date for early November. That’s when you’ll usually capture the brightest colors in this area.
Destination #4: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. Many times when people think of fall foliage, they generally think of the East Coast. However, as someone originally from the West Coast, I have a suggestion. West Coast destinations are often a fantastic source of fall beauty. The Columbia River Gorge in Oregon is a great example. Prime leaf-peeping here usually runs from late September to mid-October, giving you approximately a two-week window. This is a sought-after destination year-round, so experts recommend a weekday visit if your schedule allows it.
Destination # 5: Ashland, Oregon. Another Oregon treasure for fall foliage is Ashland, specifically Lithia Park downtown. The ambiance in this city park will have you feeling like you’re miles from the bustling streets. Year-round it’s a popular destination for those wanting to escape to nature. However, it’s especially breathtaking in the fall. I take a Mother-Daughter trip here whenever possible. Fall time in Ashland is our favorite. You can sit on benches along a paved trail and listen to the creek trickle downstream. While relaxing, you can soak up the bright colors of autumn created by the canopy of trees. Check out details regarding Ashland and other spectacular surrounding areas here. Be sure to visit the last weekend in September through the end of October for prime colors.
Destination #6: Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia. It is a fantastic Southern option for leaf-peeping located Northeast of Dawsonville, on the cusp of the North Georgia mountains. Amicalola Falls State Park is on many lists for the best fall foliage. The park is named after its most treasured feature, Amicalola Falls, a 729-foot cascading waterfall. Leaves in this area generally turn in mid-October to early November, according to GeorgiaStateParks.org. It’s predicted for 2021 that the end of October through the beginning of November should be the most vibrant. If you visit the area, be sure to use the hashtag #GALeafWatch for a chance to be featured on their Instagram.
Tag us @GrabTheGold, while you’re at it. We’ll reshare your photos featuring Grab The Gold and the fall foliage
Destination #7: Cape May, New Jersey. Personally, when I think of the coast, I don’t always think, “Man, I bet they have some great fall foliage!” But Cape May, New Jersey leaves me corrected. This historic coastal town knows a thing or two about leaf-peeping. According to TravelandLeisure.com, this old seaside resort town turns into autumn heaven from mid-October through November. The historic homes and lighthouses make the experience especially memorable. Having visited Cape May in the summer, I can only imagine. The added array of fall colors would heighten the experience.
Destination #8: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Located along the Wisconsin River, there’s a strikingly beautiful, glacier-formed gorge known as the Wisconsin Dells. Before winter hits each year, the fall colors are bucket list-worthy. According to VisitEauClaire.com, the 3rd week in October is typically the best time to view the foliage here.
So which destination do you check out first? I know, the choice is tough! These are just a few of the incredible options. Our beautiful country has so many leaf-peeping destinations that it’s hard to choose just a few. Luckily, no matter which location you decide to visit first, you won’t be disappointed.
Let us share in your journey! Tag us @grabthegold in your fall adventures. Be sure to snap photos featuring our products, and we’ll reshare them in our stories. That automatically enters you into our monthly photo contest! The prize is a $50 Grab The Gold gift card! So, cheers to all you leaf peepers out there! We can’t wait to see where this autumn takes you.
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