12 of the Best National Parks in the USA for This Fall
The best national parks for fall travel feature colorful forests, cool hiking weather, and lower shoulder season crowd levels.
Autumn in U.S. national parks brings vibrant foliage, cooler weather and fewer crowds at big names like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. That’s why a fall national parks trip is the perfect chance to see some of these natural gems of the United States.
While not all of the parks below are known for their fall colors, they make perfect options for the season for a few different reasons. At spots like Death Valley and Joshua Tree, the temperatures start dropping from fiery hot into comfortable levels for hiking and camping. And uber-popular parks like Yosemite see dips in visitors during the shoulder season, which makes for a more enjoyable and often cheaper vacation.
Leaf-peepers will get the chance to soak up the crisp air and orange shades in forested settings like Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and Maine’s Acadia, too.
Keep scrolling for our top picks for national parks in fall and check individual park websites for up-to-date information and closures.
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Mesa Verde National Park
By Oksana and Max of Drink Tea & Travel
Located in the southwest corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park holds the dwelling remains of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park makes an excellent stop on a Colorado road trip to national parks in fall.
In autumn, the weather is perfect for hiking. Daytime temperatures can soar to the upper 80s in the summer months but drop to the 60s and 70s in September to October.
Petroglyph Point Trail is one of the best hiking paths at Mesa Verde National Park and features rock carvings along its 2.4 miles. Another great trail is the Step House loop. It is about 1 mile long and leads to a ruin that visitors can enter through mid-October.
Stop by the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center when you arrive. There is an adjacent museum which offers insight into the history of the park. There are also regular activities and guided ranger walks to dwellings within the park, though most end for the season by mid-October.
Grand Canyon National Park
By Nicole of American SW Obsessed
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the busiest in the country, so fall at the Grand Canyon is an excellent time to visit for fewer crowds along the popular South Rim. Autumn also means cooler temperatures that make hiking safer and more enjoyable.
The South Kaibab Trail is a scenic option to reach the floor of the Grand Canyon in about 7 miles. You can day hike to spots like Ooh-Aah Point or Cedar Ridge before turning back the way you came. Just remember, it can take about twice as long to climb back up as it did to walk down. The views along the hike into the canyon are incredible and different from the lookouts along the rim.
For the best views from the top, follow portions of the Rim Trail or hop on the free park shuttle to reach vistas along Hermit Road — this route on the western end of the park only opens to private vehicles from December through February.
The South Rim is one of the best places to stay in the Grand Canyon, either in Grand Canyon Village or just outside the park in Tusayan, which is only six miles from the entrance.
Acadia National Park
By Tegan and Alex of Why Not Walk
Maine’s Acadia is a true gem at any time of year, but autumn is extra special — the weather is beginning to get a bit chillier, the air is crisp, and fallen leaves crunch beneath your feet. Acadia National Park in fall is a famous “leaf-peeping” destination and this is certainly something to experience at least once in your travels. The area sees a lot of tourists during the season, though, so it’s imperative that you start your day early to avoid crowds.
While you’re here, you can’t miss visiting the top of Cadillac Mountain, especially to see the sunrise. Make sure you drive or hike up well ahead of dawn, as it can get rather busy. Other great trails and vistas include Bubble Rock, Sand Beach, Jordan Pond and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Scenic drives perfect for leaf-peeping can be found on Park Loop Road and Carriage Road.
Last, but not least, for a delicious slice of Maine blueberry pie (with ice cream, of course), check out Jordan’s Restaurant in Bar Harbor, and spend an afternoon exploring the quaint seaside town.
Everglades National Park
By Paula of Paula Pins the Planet
Everglades National Park in South Florida offers an incredible opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the only subtropical preserve in North America. The epic destination is full of things to do, from boating and biking to hiking and camping.
One of the highlights of the Everglades is the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf Coast. You can go on a boat or kayak to view crocodiles and dolphins or walk the trails to see turtles and a variety of birds.
Late fall national park visits are ideal here because the temperatures are milder and humidity lower than in summer. Outdoor activities become much more pleasant when the dry season begins in November, and animals become more visible as they gather around wet patches.
Yosemite National Park
By Erin of The Gal On The Go
Yosemite is one of the best U.S. national parks for fall due to fewer crowds and pops of yellow and orange foliage mixed with the forests of evergreen. The weather in this part of California is also ideal, with temperatures dipping to the 70s and below.
Though the park’s famous waterfalls, including Bridalveil and Nevada, tend to slow down this time of year, there is still so much beauty to see. Cook’s Meadow has an easy walking path that is perfect to take in the scenery. Mirror Lake Trail is a 5-mile round-trip loop that shows nature lovers a different side of Yosemite in fall with its pristine lake. For a more challenging hike, take the Mist Trail which brings you up close to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall.
One of the best lookouts and photo spots of the park is Tunnel View, which is an easy drive up and has a convenient parking lot.
Death Valley National Park
By Katalin of Our Life Our Travel
Death Valley National Park on the border of California and southern Nevada is a unique place worth a visit in October or November. Although the park is more crowded in fall than during the summer heatwave, it is also more pleasant to explore.
Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, with a recent high clocked in at 130 degrees at Furnace Creek in August 2020. After the long, sweltering and dry summer, daytime temperatures finally drop below 90 degrees by October and average in the upper 70s in November, suitable for camping and hiking in the park.
There are plenty of places to visit in the Death Valley National Park in the fall. The lowest point of the continental U.S. lies in the Badwater Basin of salt flats. You can walk across the sand mountains of the Eureka Dunes or explore the Ubehebe Crater formed by volcanic steam. Those who are up for a hike can explore the hilly badlands at Zabriskie Point.
Yellowstone National Park
By Sean of LivingOutLau
With over 10,000 geysers, hot springs, mud pots and other hydrothermal features, Yellowstone National Park stands out among the finest landscapes in the United States. It is no surprise why Yellowstone receives millions of visitors annually. While most come in summer due to school vacations and warm weather, travelers in the autumn will find a pleasant surprise in this nearly 3,500-square-mile wilderness recreation.
Yellowstone in fall is off-peak, with fewer visitors to diminish the beauty of the natural wonders in Yellowstone and Yellowstone accommodations that are much cheaper and less likely to be booked out.
Fall is also one of the best times for observing wildlife as it is the rutting (mating) season for many of the animals, such as elk and bison. During this time, their activity level is high and visitors have a good chance to spot them. If you get lucky, you might also see a bear foraging to prepare for winter hibernation.
Joshua Tree National Park
By Dhara of Roadtripping California
Fall is a wonderful time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California’s Mojave and Colorado deserts. October begins the busy season, as temperatures start cooling down enough that you can enjoy all the epic things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.
Known for its enormous rock formations, the park is a mecca for climbers of all levels. In fall, climbing season gets into full swing and you will see pros scaling vertical walls and other visitors scrambling over easier rock piles.
Hiking trails here come in all lengths and difficulty levels. If you are visiting just for the day, you may wish to attempt a couple of shorter ones like the popular Hidden Valley Nature Trail, which offers both boulders and Joshua trees in abundance. More challenging paths become feasible as fall weather sets in.
You can also drive through the park, stopping to take closer looks at the major sights and the diverse flora and fauna. The nearby towns of Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms have an Old West feel, and are worth exploring if you have the time.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
By Noel of Travel Photo Discovery
Of all the fantastic places to explore and enjoy fall colors, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeastern Ohio really surprises. The only national park located in the state, Cuyahoga is full of fantastic trails and beautiful waterfalls. In autumn, the entire park’s forests turn shades of orange, red and yellow, making the walking paths a magical experience.
One of the most iconic places to visit is Brandywine Falls, a 60-foot bridal-veil style cascade. The Brandywine Gorge Loop goes through a native forest above the creek until you reach the falls viewpoint. Take the steps down to the bottom of the falls for a closer look and fantastic photo ops. The stream canyon area is also fun to explore if you have free time to walk along the river bed.
The landscape surrounding the national park is full of scenic Akron and Cleveland Metro parks in the rolling Cuyahoga River valley that connects the two cities.
Zion National Park
By Megan of Red Around the World
Zion National Park is great year-round but particularly wonderful in fall. Not only do you get to see the same amazing canyon landscapes as you would in summer, but you can do so with fewer people around and much more enjoyable temperatures (think 70s and 80s instead of 100-plus).
You can also see some fall colors if you're in the right spots. Head up Kolob Terrace Road just outside of the park near the town of Virgin to get above the main Zion Canyon. Here, you'll have views of the park below with leaves changing on the drive to the top.
The cooler weather will allow you to comfortably do a lot more awesome things in Zion in fall. Make sure you hike one of the iconic trails, like Angels Landing or The Narrows. but make time for some lesser-known ones as well, like Hidden Canyon or Canyon Overlook. While you're in the area, consider day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument for even lower temps and more fall foliage, especially near Cedar Breaks.
These are the best lodges and hotels near Zion National Park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
By Kay of The Awkward Traveller
Fall is the perfect time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. While it is already one of the least visited national parks in the state, Lassen is even more peaceful without the normally buzzing summer tourists. The weather is also usually mild, dry but a little chilly, with ample sunlight to enjoy the various orange speckled trails.
One of the most beautiful things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park in the fall is to walk along the Pacific Crest Trail, where the trees are an array of autumn colors and evergreen.
If you want a break from forest trekking, there are also dozens of bubbling mud pools and geothermal areas to explore.
Besides hiking, you can visit the park museum through October on limited days. You are also more likely to snag a time slot for activities like horseback riding at Drakesbad Guest Ranch on the park’s outskirts, though the lodge closes by mid-October.
Shenandoah National Park
By Erin of Go Hike Virginia
There's nothing better than motoring along Shenandoah National Park's famed Skyline Drive in the fall for vibrant bursts of fiery amber and golden yellow leaves. Dozens of viewpoints, including Range View Overlook (mile 17.1) and Jewell Hollow Overlook (mile 36.5) implore park-goers to pause for sweeping vistas across the Shenandoah Valley.
Hikers too will be awed by gram-worthy scenery aplenty as they crisscross the park on hiking trails that wow with waterfalls, rock scrambles, historic sites and summit views. Among Shenandoah National Park hikes, the fully-accessible Limberlost Trail allows everyone, regardless of age or abilities, to revel in the multi-colored forested setting.
See the Shenandoah fall foliage in another way – from atop a horse – by arranging a guided horseback trail ride within the park at Skyland Stables. Or, book a rock climbing adventure in the park with Shenandoah Mountain Guides.
