Peak leaf-peeping season is almost here. And while there's plenty of joy in watching your own garden change with the season, sometimes you want to experience fall on a more epic scale. Here are 5 of the best spots in the country for your foliage fix. To time your visit just right, check each area's local foliage report, which tracks the progress of the leaves over the season.
1. Stowe, Vermont
Spectacular fall foliage is pretty much guaranteed anywhere you go in the heavily forested state of Vermont. For a dose of serious autumnal charm, though, head to Stowe and the surrounding area. Leafy trees line the straight-from-a-Hallmark-show village as well as the winding country roads and covered bridges around it. The scenic byway of Smugglers' Notch outside Stowe is particularly popular, with plenty of spots to pull over and hike or picnic among the trees.
Peak foliage dates: Late September and the first half of October.
2. Great Smoky Mountains
More than 100 species of native trees grow in the high elevations of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which spans North Carolina and Tennessee. So expect an impressive show of foliage come October. Popular autumn drives include Newfound Gap Road and Clingmans Dome Road, while the Chimney Tops and Mt. Cammerer trails reward hikers with sweeping views.
Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October for higher elevations, extending into November for lower elevations.
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3. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon and Washington
The fall vibes in this Northwest scenic area rival any you might encounter on the East Coast, thanks to a river canyon that winds against a backdrop of the colorful foliage. The Columbia River Scenic Byway is an easy way to take it all in by car. Popular stopping points include the viewpoint of Rowena Crest and Multnomah Falls, a 620-foot waterfall framed by red and gold foliage.
Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October.
4. White Mountains, New Hampshire
Located primarily in New Hampshire (extending a bit into western Maine), the White Mountain region is an autumnal wonderland. Several scenic roads offers big, leafy views as they climb and wind through the national forest, the most famous of which is along the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway. Another way to take in the foliage? Take a ride on the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Peak foliage dates: Late September to mid-October.
5. Hudson Valley, New York
The fall foliage in this region north of New York City is some of the best in the state. It's especially picturesque in Bear Mountain and Harriman State Park, and reflected in the lakes along Seven Lakes Drive. But what seals Hudson Valley as a perfect fall getaway are the way the landscape forms a cozy backdrop for quaint towns, great wineries, and one major sculpture park (Storm King Art Center).
Peak foliage dates: Early- to mid-October.
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