Best Time To See The Fall Colors In Vermont – Virginia is an oasis of state parks and national forests, each one overshadowing the other in such a way that choosing the best places to see fall color can be difficult. One thing’s for sure: the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park have more vibrant foliage. You’ll find plenty of opportunities across the state’s northwest.
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains boast some of the most stunning fall foliage in the world. Explore the natural beauty along the local favorite Blue Ridge Parkway that connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. The route covers 469 miles (754 km) along the mountain’s spine and features nearly 400 impressive viewpoints.
Best Time To See The Fall Colors In Vermont
Additionally, the Blue Ridge is a part of the well-known Appalachian Trail as well as other popular routes such as Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain and Humpback Rocks at the northern end of the parkway corridor.
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In the higher elevations of Shenandoah National Park, peak foliage season falls in the first week of October, while the middle and lower elevations see primary colors in the last three weeks of the month. The main attraction of the park is the scenic 105-mile (169 km) Skyline Drive where 70 viewpoints offer breathtaking views. You can always take a breather and enjoy some of the best fall hiking under the forest canopy. Visit a short section of Little Stony Man Overlook from the Appalachian Trail or opt for a more challenging full-day hike on the Old Rag Trail.
Located on the banks of the Potomac River, Leesylvania State Park in Prince William County is also a great place to visit when the fall leaves turn the area into a whirlwind of color. The park has beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the Potomac. In addition to its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Leesylvania holds significant historical significance to Virginia. You will walk through the area where the legendary Lee and Fairfax families lived and where Captain John Smith visited.
In addition to prime locations, Virginia offers other low-traffic options to consider Beautiful Chris Green Lake Park is just north of Charlottesville and very affordable. With miles of hiking trails, two picnic shelters (each with six picnic tables), outdoor grills, electricity, and a dog park, this scenic area is a beautiful place to plan your fall getaway. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Claytor Lake State Park is another lesser-known spot for leaf spotting in Dublin, Virginia. You can rent a bike or a boat to enjoy the kaleidoscopic color show around the waterline of Claytor Lake. View fall foliage as you drive along state park roads or hike 7 miles of scenic tree-lined trails.
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When planning a Virginia vacation, first check the fall foliage map to choose the most comfortable place to stay. Also, be sure to check out the latest fall foliage report. The season of peak color depends on the climate and varies from year to year.
Blue Ridge ParkwayDragon’s ToothMcAfee KnobSharp Top MountainHumpback RocksShenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive)Little Stony ManOld Rag MountainLeesylvania State ParkChris Greene Lake ParkClaytor Lake State ParkFall Foliage usually occurs in Colorado, but may occur in Colorado during the middle of this season. Mid-October, because it depends on the temperature. Still, the colors in colorful Colorado are worth seeing. This western state is home to the most aspen trees in the United States. If you want to give your eyes a treat they will never forget, see the shimmering streaks of gold in the Colorado mountains, while the poplars turn a bright amber color.
You can experience up to five different climate zones within a 2-hour drive from Denver. That means Denver and surrounding areas have the longest fall color period of any city in the United States.
Colorado’s most popular hiking destination, Rocky Mountain National Park, is located about 75 miles northwest of Denver. During the third and fourth week of September, the scenery of the park is completely transformed into a golden shade. The park’s final fall parkway is Bear Lake Road, which connects Upper Beaver Meadows and Bear Lake. This 36 kilometer road offers spectacular views and access to many hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and the Moraine Park Discovery Center. Popular fall hiking trails in the area include Alberta Falls, Bear Lake, and Wild Basin.
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Where to Sleep You can camp overnight at Glacier Basin Campground or Sprague Lake Campground. Accommodation is also available at Rocky Mountain Resort.
Estes Park serves as the base for Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado. Trail Ridge Road is one of the most scenic trails in the park. The highway is part of US Highway 34 that runs from Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park to Grand Lake. It is also called The Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway. Trail Ridge Road offers postcard views throughout the month of September with colors ranging from green to yellow to bronze.
Another scenic fall route is the Peak to Peak Highway, which runs south to Mount Evans. And how to combine the beauty of fall foliage with the great moose mating ritual of Estes Park? Dusk and dawn are the best times to hear moose. This distinctive mating call is indistinct and sounds like a trumpet.
Where to Stay Estes Park has many cabin rental options, such as the YMCA of the Rockies or Fall River Village Resort. Book early as leaf season is very popular with hikers.
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Guanella Pass is located just an hour’s drive from Denver. Along the way, the aspen leaves turn a gorgeous yellow color, making this destination one of the best places for fall foliage in Colorado. The pass rises to 11,670 feet (3,557 m), with Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans visible in the distance.
The towns of Crested Butte and Aspen are known for their brilliant fall displays. These mountain ski resorts are surrounded by beautiful shades of bright yellow and golden bronze.
Take a scenic drive along Kebler Pass, a beautiful high mountain road between Crested Butte and Paonia. The trail runs west from Crested Butte to Highway 133 near the mining town of Somerset. The road is open for traffic from mid-June to mid-October.
On the way to Aspen from Crested Butte, stop at Crystal Mill, a beautiful spot surrounded by golden aspens making the place even more incredible. The Crystal Mill Trail runs along the sparkling Crystal River, through the mountains of the White River National Forest. Spend some time hiking the Crystal Mill Trail, a moderate 13 km trail that is only open from late May to late November.
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Where to Stay Crystal Mill has cabins. Crested Butte and Aspen have many hotels ranging from luxury to budget.
The beautiful San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado will delight any leaf spotter with their beautiful scenery. Last Dollar Road is October’s number one scenic drive. Colors range from red to golden yellow. Be sure to stop and enjoy the magnificent views of the Sneffels Range and Wilson Peak.
Where to Stay Telluride has many bed and breakfasts and luxury mountain resorts. There are a few campgrounds like Telluride Town Park Campground and Little Molasses Lake Campground where you can be sure to wake up to an incredible view!
Rocky Mountain National Park Bear Lake Road Estes Park Trail Ridge Road Peak to Peak Highway Crested Butte Kebler Pass Aspen Crystal Mill
Connecticut Foliage Guide
Colorado Tourism Bureau: 10 Places to See Colorado Fall Color5280 Denver’s Mile High Magazine: Colorado’s Changing Leaves. Here’s when and where to see them. Visit Denver – Fall leaves and tours near Denver. Discover Colorado: 11 Colorful Fall Trails at The No Outdoors in Colorado DenverPost: Fall Colors Are Here. Here’s where to go leaf peeping in Colorado. Fall is a quiet, less crowded and beautiful time in Yosemite National Park. Although Yosemite is famous for its giant sequoias and other evergreens, many of the trees vary, adding nice pops of color. California broadleaf maple and black oak show yellow and bronze. Aspen trees are especially bright when they turn bright yellow. Pacific dogwood, poison oak and sugar maple add some red and crimson notes.
The best time to take a scenic drive or park walk is mid to late October. The fall show usually begins in early October and lasts until November, until the first snowstorm of winter. Be aware of road closures in case of inclement weather which are often announced on the park website. Tioga Road is usually closed from late October through May.
Yosemite National Park’s Fall Foliage Scenic Drive includes Tioga Highway and Glacier Point Highway, famous for their yellow cottonwoods. Stop at the Tuolumne G Trailhead or Yosemite Creek Picnic Area for fall photography. Also the Yosemite Chapel area (accessible via Southside Drive).
