leaf peeping. n. The activity of traveling in the fall to areas wooded with deciduous forests to view the changing color of the leaves.

We love the term leaf peeping, which invokes the sense of wonder and joy that comes as we seek out the changing colors of autumn. Best of all leaf peeping includes rambles, road trips and adventures. After all, it’s no coincidence that the first days of autumn coincide with international #hobbitday. Anyone who knows and loves the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, especially his tale of The Hobbit, knows that autumn is the perfect time to go on an adventure!  

So let’s journey around the U.S. to find out where you can leaf peep this autumn. There are places all over this vast country that pop with beautiful colors, some well-known and others a pleasant surprise. Add in harvest festivals, glorious city parks, and farmers markets, and you’ve truly got the ingredients for a proper fall adventure!

Don’t forget to book one of our local photographers to document your colorful journey and leaf peeping activities!

New York & New England

New England is legendary when it comes to autumn. The region is officially made up of the six most northeastern states of the U.S.: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, each offering its own magical experience of the season. From Cadillac Mountain in Maine to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire to Litchfield Hills in Connecticut you’ll be immersed in autumn splendour.

And while New York is not part of New England, it is the perfect gateway to an epic autumn road trip. Start in New York City, where locals consider autumn one of the city’s most beautiful seasons. Leaf peep in the parks, enjoy museums, and check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. Then head Upstate to visit the Catskill Mountain and its “Five State Lookout” in East Windham before traveling further north to the gorgeous Adirondacks.

Another great starting point for New England leaf peeping is Boston, where you can enjoy some clam chowder, beer and baseball before venturing out into the countryside and neighboring states. Your route could include Massachusetts’ Berkshire County or Mohawk Trail, Connecticut’s Route 9, New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, the Shires of Vermont, or Maine’s Coastal Route 1. Really the possibilities for adventure and autumn colors are endless here!

East Coast

While New England tends to be synonymous with fall foliage, the East Coast holds epic adventures and all the colors of autumn, as well. From Pine Creek Gorge in Pennsylvania’s Tioga State Forest all the way south to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia and overlooking four states, you’ll have leaf peeping that will take your breath away.

We recommend using Washington D.C. as your launch pad. Enjoy museums and monuments in parks as the air becomes crisp, perhaps timing your visit with the city’s annual Oktoberfest or trick-or-treating at nearby Mount Vernon. Then rent a car and head out! 

Maryland offers the beauty of Deep Creek Lake State Park and its annual Autumn Glory Festival, while West Virginia has the Monongahela National Forest and the Highland Scenic Highway. From Harpers Ferry, a picture perfect autumn town, journey to Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and travel through a canopy of golds and oranges along its 105-mile Skyline Drive, which offers 75 lookouts and trailheads to get you the best vantage points. Connect with the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina then travel further west into the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.  Break up your epic autumn road trip with stays in historic lodges and B&Bs along the way, fortifying yourself at local wineries and breweries. 

Midwest

The Midwest is no slouch when it comes to autumn beauty and adventures. Combined with a rich beer-making tradition, Oktoberfest celebrations, and harvest festivals, the vast area offers all kinds of fall treats and peeps. 

In Michigan, start in Detroit then head north to explore the Upper Peninsula where you can see three of the Great Lakes, travel through colorful forests, and cross the lovely Mackinac Bridge to Hiawatha National Forest. 

In Minnesota, a perfect fall drive starts in St. Paul then heads east to the historic town of Stillwater known for the sound of paddle-wheel steamboats and the way the surrounding hills glow in autumn. Across the St Croix River you’ll see neighboring Wisconsin which will beckon with its own autumn charms. Or you can follow the river up to the North Shore of Lake Superior, which runs from Duluth to Minnesota’s tallest waterfall, High Falls in Grand Portage State Park. 

And while Colorado isn’t technically in the Midwest, it’s worth mentioning that a three hour drive from Denver, home to a Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Zombie Crawl and Beer Week, you’ll find breathtaking Aspen where the golden trees of the same name are glorious come autumn.

Alaska and the Pacific Northwest

Alaska may seem an extreme destination for leaf peeping, but the truly adventurous of heart will be pleased to know that there are plenty of autumn colors on view, amazing wildlife and few crowds this time of year. Aim to visit Denali State Park no later than early October. (Remember the more North you are, the sooner fall comes!)

Seattle in Washington State makes a great home base for fall adventures. Fuel up on coffee then take some day trips out of the Emerald City in search of golds, reds, and oranges. Chuckanut is just north on State Route 11 and will take you to Larrabee State Park, while the charming Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth lies to the east via Highway 2 which whisks you through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The autumnal colors and beauty continue in Oregon. A short drive from Portland is the 80-mile long Columbia River Gorge which offers hiking, kayaking and canoeing, as well as a picturesque bridge beside the famous Multnomah Falls. You can continue on to Mt. Hood for its scenic loop, or continue south to the McKenzie Pass.

West Coast & Southwest

Many will be surprised to learn that California has plenty of leaf peeping available. But when you consider the biodiversity of this area as well as the forested beauty of Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevadas and Yosemite National Park, it really should come as no surprise. And California’s autumn charms also lie in the flame of colors that take over its acres of famous vineyards, as the vines undergo a dramatic change and the wineries hold harvest festivals and tastings. 

Around the Southwest, shrubs and ocotillos start to turn yellow, orange and sometimes red, the best displays requiring the perfect combination of a wet summer and gentle autumn. Consider heading out into the desert parks to see what signs of autumn you can discover. Visit the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, travel historic Route 66 to see the Ponderosa Forest or Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff, or drive the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway loop of New Mexico from Taos to Angel Fire.

And we couldn’t speak of leaf peeping in this region without mentioning the beauty at Zion National Park in Utah, where its desert landscape takes on distinct autumnal colors as trees change colors along the creeks. Leaf peep while exploring trails or driving along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.

Virtually

Some of us aren’t able to venture out onto the open road or even outdoors; we must stay in our cozy hobbit holes for now. But that doesn’t mean we have to miss the beauty of the season. Never underestimate what is right outside your window. And thanks to 2020 there are now even more ways to virtually leaf peep. Check out this great list of fall foliage webcams put together by tripsavvy or simply seek out your own on Earth Cam’s Fall Cams.

So pack a thermos of cocoa and a bag of caramel corn, it’s time to ramble and adventure.  We encourage you to take our ideas and forge your own leaf-strewn path. As you’ve probably gathered, fall is a great time to visit our national parks, and domestic travel continues to be the way to go this year.

Remember that all adventures are equal parts planning and spontaneity. Depending which area you're venturing to, try to plan your visit according to when the leaves are changing. The Smoky Mountains National Park provides a handy Fall Foliage Map that shows when the leaves will be changing where. 
Wherever you choose to go, even if it’s an exploration of your local park, book an autumn photoshoot with one of our local photographers, check out our tips for a picture perfect autumn photoshoot, and, after the photoshoot, tag us on social media so we can see your adventures!