Spring may have the majority of the flowers, but the changing leaves in the fall bring some of the most vibrant colors to big cities, small towns, and rural areas across the United States. The best time to go leaf peeping varies year by year based on the weather, but when you land in a spot surrounded by trees at the peak of when the leaves are changing, there’s nothing else like it.
Road through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo: Kirk Wester/Shutterstock
The 13 Best Places for Leaf Peeping in United States in 2024
Truth be told, the best spot to appreciate the colors of the season is the one you can get to. But if you can reach on of these leaf peeping locations, you’re in for a colorful treat, from the trees to the food, to the incredible places to stay.
We hope you love the fall leaf peeping stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Burlington, Vermont
Photo: Hello Burlington/Jeff Lawson and Nick Edwards
Photo: Hello Burlington/Matt Bruhns Bruhns
Photo: Hello Burlington/Matt Bruhns Bruhns
Peak leaf peeping months: Late September to October
Vermont is famous for its glorious fall foliage for good reason, and the north of the state has some of the most spectacular displays in New England — a region with unmatched fall road trip options. Couple this with ample hiking and biking trails, a seemingly endless number of local microbreweries and cideries, farm stores, apple orchards, and cozy cabins and you’ve got a recipe for a fabulous fall weekend away. Burlington and the surrounding area are the perfect base to explore the region. Sitting less than 50 miles south of the Canadian border, the city’s trees are starting to turn by mid-September, but the season can stretch into November with a peak that usually occurs in October. An excellent way to enjoy the foliage is on the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise. This voyage will allow you to enjoy the trees in their full glory on either side of the Lake Champlain. Or hop on a bike and peddle the Island Line Trail, a 14-mile route along the lake shore and over the causeway to neighboring islands. Afterward, you can reward yourself with a cider at Citizen Cider or Cold Hollow cider house, which often has live music. And if you enjoy sampling local beers, Oktoberfest kicks off at Burlington’s waterfront in September, and it celebrates the very best craft brews in Vermont. If traveling with kids, you won’t be short of family-friendly fall activities either. Two places stand out for pumpkin picking, hayrides, and mazes: Sam Mazza’s Farm Market and The Great Vermont Corn Maze. If you’re visit lands on September 29, you can even enter the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival — because it wouldn’t be fall without someone launching a pumpkin at full speed through the air.
Where to stay in Burlington, Vermont
If you’re partial to hotels, there are few places as hip in Burlington as Hotel Vermont (which has its own fall foliage hotline). Within the city of Burlington there are Airbnbs perfect for couples, solo travelers, and families, such as this contemporary one-bedroom loft house. The in-city rentals are great for those who want to explore the pedestrian streets on foot, but if you have a vehicle there are a few more options (and bigger properties) just outside the city limits in places like Shelburn, where you’ll find this beautiful rural farm house. Farther up the coast in Colchester, there are plenty of lakeside properties like this two-bedroom cottage.
Hunter, New York
Diamond Notch Falls near Hunter, NY. Photo: VIKVAD/Shutterstock
Hunter Mountain in the fall. Photo: hessianmercenary/Shutterstock
One the 11 brand-new round cabins at Scribner's Lodge. Photo: Moriah Wolfe
Peak leaf peeping month: October
The Catskills have been a cherished vacation destination for New York City dwellers in desperate need of some peace, quiet, and time spent in nature for decades. Fall is arguably the best time to go. The town of Hunter, just a 2.5-hour drive from New York City, is the ideal place to escape the concrete jungle and partake in some serious leaf-peeping action. The forests and mountains around Hunter are home to a large variety of maples, birch, aspens, oaks, and more, all of which reach their fall-color peak about the second week of October. The best spot to see the spectacular foliage is Mountain Top Arboretum. Take a self-guided tour of the four main areas of the arboretum for a couple of hours and carry your binoculars if you want to spot some of the 60 bird species that live there. If you’d rather catch the foliage while hiking, there are dozens of hikes of varying difficulties around, including gorgeous waterfall hikes.
Where to stay in Hunter, New York
To fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Catskills during the cozy season, book one of the 11 new round cabins at the popular Scribner’s Lodge. Each of the 12-sided structures are decorated in a tasteful minimalist style and feature all the elements of comfortable fall retreat, including a gas fireplace, a reading nook, and a Japanese soaking tub.
Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Peak leaf peeping months: Late September to early October
Northwestern Pennsylvania offers some of the country’s most scenic fall driving routes. The Allegheny National Forest covers over 500,000 acres of the region and is home to more than 80 species of trees. The colors can change as early as mid-September, though peak closer to October. Surrounding the park, the two-lane highways and narrow roads on the ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Plateau are lined with red maple, black cherry, black birch, yellow poplar, and white ash trees, which all put on a dazzling fall color display. Some of the most scenic fall drives include the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, the Eldred-Rock City History Loop, and the Scenic Kinzua-Route 6 Loop. A must-stop in the area is Kinzua Bridge State Park, which has a lovely picnic spot and a one-mile hike to spectacular fall views over Kinzua Gorge. Those with a head for heights can walk out onto the glass floor viewing area, which extends over the colorful tree tops.
Where to stay near Allegheny National Forest
With so much to explore near Allegheny National Forest, it’s worth making a weekend or more out of your visit. If you’re traveling with a family or group of friends, there are large house listings on Airbnb, such as this stunning three-bedroom creekside cottage or this four-bedroom cabin in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest and within the top 1 percent of rentals on Airbnb. For couples or solo travelers, check out this serene woodland one-bedroom cabin.
Newport, Rhode Island
Castle Hill Lighthouse, Newport, Rhode Island. Photo: solepsizm/Shutterstock
Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo: Dan Hanscom/Shutterstock
Inside Gardiner House. Photo: Gardiner House
Peak leaf peeping month: October
You don’t have to go to the mountains, or to a very rural location, to see the fall foliage. The coast can deliver, too. Newport, Rhode Island, located on the southern end of Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay, is an excellent spot for a seaside fall retreat – especially in late October when the foliage of the maples, oak, beeches and birch is at its brightest. For the best foliage and ocean views, you can opt to stroll along the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk along the water (you’ll get to see some of the area’s most beautiful mansions as a bonus), or pedal all or part of the 14.5-mile East Bay Bike Path through coves and marshes. Those who prefer a forest bathing experience can take a hike in Weetamoo Woods in Tiverton where there are seven miles of various trails to suit everyone’s abilities.
Where to stay in Newport, Rhode Island
What’s the point in visiting Newport if you can’t stay in a waterfront hotel? Gardiner House, opened in 2023, is a mansion turned into a 21-room, light-filled, ocean-front boutique property. While the establishment is classy, the atmosphere and furnishings are like that of a tasteful and cozy family home. There is a restaurant with views on the marina and a bar on site, both of which are worth a visit – if only just for the stunning decor. For another luxe option, Newport Harbor Island Resort is located a short hop over to Goat Island.
Traverse City, Michigan
Peak leaf peeping months: Late September to mid-October
Located in the northwestern part of Michigan, Traverse City sits on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Fall in and around Traverse City is celebrated at the many orchards and vineyards, charming farmers markets, and cider mills. Chateau Grand Traverse, a family-owned vineyard, is considered one of the pioneers of the Michigan wine industry. In autumn, the vineyard’s leaves transform into a brilliant display of red, orange, yellow, and brown hues with a backdrop of Lake Michigan. You can take a tour to learn about the winery’s history and winemaking process and sample some harvest-fresh rieslings. The city’s neighboring towns and countryside should also be explored. The local tourism board has a selection of Color Tour driving routes that take you through the region’s best leaf-peeping locations.
Where to stay in Traverse City, Michigan
The Flats, downtown’s newest hotel, is a must for those looking for a boutique hotel stay. It’s near the city’s most beautiful tree-filled streets, excellent restaurants, and breweries. The hotel has six luxury apartment-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens, hardwood floors, original brick walls, and windows where you can enjoy looking out over the crimson leaves.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Peak leaf peeping month: October
Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills has famed local haunts (without the crowds of Salem) and small-town fall vibes that the Berkshires are famous for. The town is home to one of the oldest cemeteries in the country, and those brave enough can take a guided tour for insight into the fascinating history of the area. For leaf peeping, Stockbridge is home to a variety of maple trees, white and red oaks, yellow and paper birch, and ash trees that display a collage of reds, bronze, bright yellow, and purple hues. You can enjoy the foliage throughout town, but keen leaf peepers should make a beeline for the historic estate of Chesterwood, the mansion and gardens of Naumkeag, Monument Mountain for panoramic views, The Berkshire Botanical Garden, and Stockbridge Bowl, where you can take in the beautiful fall colors reflected in the water. Visit in October to attend the town’s biggest fall festival at Naumkeag. During the month, the property showcases more than 1,500 carved pumpkins in The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show.
Where to stay in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
The Red Lion Inn goes all out for fall. Established in 1773, it is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the US. The inn offers various guest rooms, ranging from cozy and traditional to spacious and luxurious. Every fall, the region’s prizewinning pumpkins are displayed on the hotel’s front steps, and guests are encouraged to guess the weight of the exhibit over a hot spiced cider (hint: they weigh thousands of pounds).
Rome, Wisconsin
Peak leaf peeping month: October
The Badger State has no shortage of places to see the leaves change, but one of the best regions to enjoy the fall foliage in Wisconsin is Rome. It sits in the northwestern corner of Adams County, a rural area known for its beautiful lakes, forests, and outdoor recreation. There are many places in Rome to enjoy autumnal colors, but one of the best is Tri-Norse Park in Nekoosa. On October 19, 2024, the park will host a fall foliage viewing festival. You can join locals and visitors alike to hike to the top of the 55-meter ski jump (or take an ATV/UTV ride) to take in the multi-colored trees and enjoy live music and warming soup or chili from vendors. The weekly farmers market, held every Friday, also comes to life with a bounty of apples, melons, and pumpkins. And if visiting on October 26, there’s a kid-friendly Halloween party and an off-roading Halloween Hunt. The best time to visit for fall foliage is the second or third week in October, but it’s worth checking out Travel Wisconsin’s fall color report. This interactive map will help you track down peak foliage in real time.
Where to stay in Rome, Wisconsin
Sand Valley Resort, a family-friendly golf resort, offers guests world-class golf, tennis, fat-tire biking, fishing, kayaking — you name it. There are cozy lodges for couples or eight-bed estate homes, and it’s pet-friendly. There are also stunning cabins on Airbnb, such as this four-bedroom near Sand Valley or this group-sized home with a hot tub and fire pit.
Ozark Mountains, Arkansas
Driving through the Ozarks in Arkansas. Photo: Arkansas Tourism & State Parks
Hawksbill Crag, also known as Whitaker Point in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Photo: Arkansas Tourism & State Parks
Inside the Graduate by Hilton in Fayetteville. Photo: Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville, AR
Peak leaf peeping months: Mid-October to November
The entire state of Arkansas is packed with amazing leaf-peeping opportunities, from Crowley’s Ridge State Park in the northeastern part of the state to the Ouachita Mountains in the west, and Petit Jean State Park just one hour outside of Little Rock. That said, a road trip through the Ozark Mountains is a surefire way to get your annual fill of red, orange, and gold hues without having to put in too much physical effort. The Boston Mountain Scenic Loop on U.S. 71 and I-540 is a winding 80-mile drive that starts from the small town of Dean’s Market, crosses the highest part of the mountain range, and offers some of the best foliage viewing in the area before reaching Fayetteville, the turn-around point. The Pig Trail Scenic Byway is another beautiful option, and a much shorter one at 19 miles. Expect vivid tree tunnels of maples, white oaks, sycamores, and cottonwoods along the way.
Where to stay in the Arkansas side of the Ozark Mountains
Fayetteville is a great place to base yourself. The Graduate by Hilton Fayetteville is a fun and unique place to stay. The entire hotel is themed around the University of Arkansas. There’s one restaurant on site, as well as two pools and a fitness center — just know that it books up fast on home game football weekends.
Haywood County, North Carolina
Road through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo: Kirk Wester/Shutterstock
Lake Junaluska in the fall. Photo: Margaret.Wiktor/Shutterstock
Lambuth Inn on Lake Junaluska. Photo: Visit NC Smokies
Peak leaf peeping months: Mid-October to November
Many have sung praises of the Great Smoky Mountains. This chunk of the Appalachians is picture perfect, especially in mid to late October when the fall foliage is in full swing. Haywood County is in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, and is home to no less than 46 miles of the extremely scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. There are other ways to enjoy the fall colors from the maples, basswoods, mountain ash, birch, and beeches besides driving along one of the most beautiful roads in the US, however. A trip to the Waterrock Knob overlook, the highest point on the parkway, is one stop you can’t pass on if you want to take in some of the best autumnal views in the area. It is easily accessible from the road and only requires a steep 0.6-mile walk from the visitor center. Less than 30 minutes away by car from the overlook is Lake Junaluska, where you can kayak or SUP on calm waters surrounded by the changing leaves.
Where to stay in Haywood County, North Carolina
The Lambuth Inn, located along the shore of Lake Junaluska, was built in 1921 and fully renovated in 2018 to allow guests to enjoy modern amenities within a grand, historic building. Book a lakeview room on the highest floor to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings from a privileged vantage point. At the end of a day of being dazzled by the foliage, take a quick five-minute walk from the inn to Inspiration Point, where the sunset over the lake and mountains is spectacular.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Peak leaf peeping month: October
Shenandoah National Park comes to life in late September and early October when the summer crowds have dispersed, yet the weather remains pleasant enough for overnight camping. If you’re considering camping, Big Meadows Campground provides a comfortable base for exploring the park’s highlights. From here, you can embark on a leisurely drive to enjoy the vibrant autumn foliage along Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic byway that winds through the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Or venture off onto one of the park’s many hiking trails. The trails allow you to explore the diverse ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains up close. For a moderate challenge, consider the Bearfence Mountain Trail, which leads to a rocky overlook with panoramic views of the surrounding colorful landscape.
Where to stay near Shenandoah National Park
Of the 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah, 480 are dog-friendly, so if you’re considering bringing a pet along or camping is not your thing, consider a nearby Airbnb.
Vail, Colorado
Photos: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock and Neil Podoll/Shutterstock
Main lobby of The Hythe Vail. Photo: The Hythe
Peak leaf peeping months: Late September to mid-October
While the town of Vail is a popular and luxurious winter destination, it’s also a lovely place to check out the fall foliage. A ride on one of the Vail Gondolas is a great way to see the beauty of the changing landscape, but make sure to bring layers as it gets cold up at 10,000 feet at the top of the mountains this time of year. If you’re able bodied and keen for some exercise, a hike to Lost Lake will give you your fill of the bright gold aspen leaves. The moderate 6.8-mile roundtrip hike starts just 25 minutes outside of town and the beauty and tranquility that awaits you at the end is very much worth the effort.
Where to stay in Vail, Colorado
Vail Village and Lionshead Village are the two core tourist areas of the town with many high-quality hotels, though there’s an abundance of properties surrounding Vail proper. Lionshead Village, with its Bavarian-inspired architecture, is a pedestrian and dining area located at the base of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, which is ideal if you want to take a ride. Lionshead Village’s The Hythe is a luxury resort that organizes curated fall experiences for its guests, including mushroom hunting and fly fishing. For the less adventurous, there are also complementary whiskey tastings, and s’mores roasting.
Park City, Utah
Aerial view of Park City, Utah. Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Bloods Lake. Photo: Karel Stipek/Shutterstock
Guest room at Montage Deer Valley resort. Photo: Montage Deer Valley.
Peak leaf peeping month: Mid-September to early October
Park City is better known for its skiing than for its fall foliage. That said, it’s well worth making your way there when the fall colors hit their peak. Fall is the shortest season in Park City, so don’t wait too long before you go or the leaves on the aspens, oaks, and maples will all be gone. To see the best scenery of the season, drive up the Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway, which is open until late October. Along the way, stop to take a 2.8-mile round-trip hike to Bloods Lake. While some sections are steep, your efforts will be rewarded with stunning views of the colorful Wasatch Mountains and the pristine alpine lake.
Where to stay in Park City, Utah
Montage Deer Valley, located 10 minutes outside of Park City, is an excellent place to stay to enjoy the fall colors. Home to 220 rooms, five dining options, and the largest spa in Utah, Montage is a sophisticated establishment but one where the atmosphere is relaxed and homey. The Montage organizes curated experiences for its guests, including guided hikes, horseback riding tours, and hot air balloon rides for some amazing aerial views of the fall colors. Another desirable option closer to town is the Westgate Park City.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Peak leaf peeping months: October to early November
The picturesque town of Coeur d’Alene sits on the Lake Coeur d’Alene in northwestern Idaho. If you like the outdoors, it’s a great place to visit regardless of the time of year. That said, fall is particularly special as the lakeside city comes to life with seasonal events, and the foliage-lined downtown puts on a colorful display. This part of town is also home to the annual Oktoberfest. Celebrations will kick off on September 20 in 2024, and you can expect local brews, live music, and fall-themed activities. Fans of Halloween can visit the spooky wonderland theme park, Scarywood, from September 27 to November 2 for haunted houses, thrilling rides, and live entertainment. The best fall foliage can be admired from Tubbs Hill, which requires a hike, or you can take a scenic cruise on the Coeur d’Alene Cruise Boats. These boat tours provide a relaxing and informative way to explore the lake’s shores, enjoy stunning fall views, and learn about the area’s history and culture.
Where to stay in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene Resort, a renowned landmark in the city, recently underwent extensive renovations to its spa and restaurant. This historic property offers luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and breathtaking views of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The resort’s prime location provides easy access to the city’s fall attractions and outdoor activities. Or, for a more contemporary stay, consider One Lakeside. This newer hotel offers modern and stylish accommodations with stunning lake views. It’s also conveniently located near downtown, within stumbling distance from Oktoberfest. 