Best U.S. National Parks to Visit This Fall

Fall is secret season in some of the most iconic national parks across the country. Whether you're chasing fall colors, looking for cooler hiking weather, or hoping to spot wildlife preparing for winter, these are some of the best U.S. national parks to visit this fall.

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1. Acadia National Park (Maine)

If you’re chasing peak fall foliage in the national parks, start with Acadia. Crisp air, colorful trees, and wide ocean views make this park a New England standout. It’s classic New England coast meets national park adventure with carriage roads, granite ridgelines, and ocean forests glowing in red, gold, and orange.

• Best Time to Visit: Early to mid October

• Don’t Miss: Acadia Scenic Drive, Ocean Path, and a sunrise hike up Cadillac Mountain or Gorham Mountain

• Best Fall Hikes: Beehive Trail (if you're not afraid of heights), Jordan Pond Loop, and Jesup Path

• Read Next: What to Do in Acadia National Park: 5 Ready-to-Go Itineraries

💡 RTL Tip: Be sure to enjoy a few lobster rolls while you’re in town! The Travelin Lobster is our recommendation for the best lobster rolls and clam chowder near Acadia.

Gorham Mountain Loop at sunrise

2. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana & Idaho)

In Yellowstone in the fall, crowds thin, the air turns crisp, and wildlife takes center stage. September and early October are prime time for the elk rut, and the best place to watch it is around Mammoth Hot Springs. Bull elk bugle across the hills, gather harems, and strut right through the historic district. It’s raw, loud, and unforgettable.

The pronghorn rut happens in fall too, and you can sometimes spot them sprinting across the northern range near Gardiner or Lamar Valley. Bears are busy foraging before hibernation. The hiking is cool and quiet. And if you’re road tripping early in the season, scenic drives like the Beartooth Highway are still open and absolutely stunning. Just check the weather and road conditions before you go, and remember that services start to wind down in late September, so plan ahead.

• Best Time to Visit: Late September to mid October

• Don’t Miss: Grand Loop Road, Mammoth Hot Springs during the elk rut, Lamar Valley wildlife watching, Grand Prismatic Spring (on calm afternoons), and Artist Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

• Best Fall Hikes: Fairy Falls, Bunsen Peak, Mount Washburn

• Wildlife to Watch: Bull elk in rut, active black and grizzly bears, pronghorn near Gardiner and Lamar Valley

• Best For: Photographers, wildlife lovers, and roadtrippers looking for quieter roads and golden meadows

• Challenges: Weather can change quickly. Lodging and park services begin closing in October. High-elevation trails may see snow.

• Read Next: 12 Best Places for Wildlife Viewing in Yellowstone

🗺️ RTL Tip: Planning a Yellowstone trip? Check out our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide!

Elk near Mammoth Hot Springs

3. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

Tucked just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton is sometimes skipped by travelers on tight schedules. But in the fall, it’s an absolute must. This park puts on one of the best golden aspen shows in the West. Add in frequent moose sightings, reflective alpine lakes, and snow-dusted peaks, and you’ll wish you had more days here! September is short and sweet, so aim to get there before the color disappears and the snow rolls in.

• Best Time: Early to mid September

• Don’t Miss: Grand Teton Scenic Drive, Hidden Falls Trail, Jenny Lake, & Mormon Row

• Best Fall Hikes: Taggart Lake, Cascade Canyon, and Phelps Lake Loop

• Special Wildlife Viewing: Elk rut and moose activity are high through September. Early mornings are best.

4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)

This one’s a no-brainer. With more than 100 species of native trees, the Smokies are one of the best places in the country to see fall foliage. October is peak season, with stunning reds, oranges, and golds lighting up the ridgelines. Add early morning mist and abundant wildlife, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect fall trip.

• Best Time to Visit: Mid to late October

• Don’t Miss: Clingmans Dome at sunrise, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway

• Best Fall Hikes: Alum Cave Trail, Look Rock Tower, and Oconaluftee River Trail

• Wildlife to Watch: Black bears, wild turkeys, and rutting elk near Oconaluftee

• Best For: Leaf-peepers, road trippers, and travelers looking for a cozy fall getaway

• RTL Tip: Get out early and midweek if possible. (Peak weekends are packed and parking can be limited.)

🚗 Read Next: Peaks, Pints, and Fireflies: 7-Day North Carolina Road Trip

5. Zion National Park (Utah)

Fall is when Zion really shines. With the heat of summer gone, trails are more manageable and the cottonwoods along the river turn golden. The contrast of yellow leaves against red rock cliffs is what fall road trip dreams are made of!

• Best Time: Late September to early November

• Don’t Miss: Angels Landing (permit required), The Narrows, Scenic eBike Tour along Zion Scenic Drive

• Best Fall Hikes: Watchman Trail, Emerald Pools, and Observation Point via East Mesa

• Best For: Hikers, canyon lovers, and people looking to explore Zion without 100-degree days

• Challenges: Shuttle system still in effect through fall, and water in The Narrows gets cold

• RTL Tip: Rent dry pants and neoprene socks for The Narrows, especially in October and beyond

🚗 Read Next: The Mighty 5: Road Trip Utah's 5 National Parks in 7 Days

The Narrows

Angels Landing

6. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Shenandoah is a leaf-peeper favorite for good reason. Skyline Drive is packed with scenic overlooks, and trails through the Blue Ridge Mountains are colorful and crowd-pleasing. Bonus: it’s an easy park to visit for East Coasters and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway for an extended fall foliage drive.

• Best Time: Early to mid October

• Don’t Miss: Stony Man Trail, Dark Hollow Falls, Hawksbill Summit

• Best Fall Hikes: Limberlost Trail, Bearfence Mountain, Hawksbill Summit

• Wildlife to Watch: Deer and black bears, especially around sunrise and sunset

• Best For: Scenic drivers, cabin getaways, and casual hikers looking for views

• RTL Tip: Pair your visit with a local orchard or cidery.

7. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Autumn in the Rockies means golden aspens, crisp alpine air, and the unforgettable sound of elk bugling during the rut. The park’s Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest scenic byways in the country and offers incredible views before it closes for snow in mid-October.

• Best Time to Visit: Mid September to early October

• Don’t Miss: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, Moraine Park during elk rut

• Best Fall Hikes: Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Deer Mountain

• Wildlife to Watch: Bull elk in rut, mule deer, and high-country marmots on warmer days

• Best For: Scenic drivers, photographers, and anyone who loves fall color paired with big peaks

• RTL Tip: Timed-entry reservations are still required through mid-October so plan ahead.

Deer Mountain Trail

8. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)

Come for the huckleberry reds and golden meadows, stay for the moody mist and dramatic mountain views. Fall hikes in the Paradise and Sunrise areas are especially stunning before snow shuts down the higher elevations.

• Best Time: Late September to mid October

• Don’t Miss: Skyline Trail, Tipsoo Lake, Reflection Lakes

• Best Fall Hikes: Skyline Trail, Naches Peak Loop

• Wildlife to Watch: Black bears feeding on berries, marmots, deer in subalpine zones

• Best For: Pacific Northwest road trippers, solitude seekers, and shoulder-season hikers

9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)

This underrated park near Cleveland is a surprising fall stunner. Rolling hills, waterfalls, and forested trails make for easy, colorful hikes. An easy fall escape in the Midwest, Cuyahoga Valley brings classic autumn charm with waterfalls, woodsy trails, and one of the only national park scenic railroads in the country.

• Best Time: Mid to late October

• Don’t Miss: Brandywine Falls, Ledges Trail, Blue Hen Falls

• Best Fall Hikes: Ledges Trail (sunset spot), Blue Hen Falls, Kendall Lake Loop

• Best For: Local road trips, families, and travelers looking for something off the radar

• Challenges: Lower elevations mean more subtle foliage—timing matters

• RTL Tip: Add a stop in Cleveland for West Side Market or a fall festival nearby

10. White Sands National Park (New Mexico)

White Sands might sound like an odd pick for one of the best national parks to visit this fall—after all, no leaves!—but it does have cooler temps, incredible sunsets, and a dreamy, peaceful vibe that’s perfect for an off-the-beaten-path fall road trip.

And while you might not think of it as an autumn destination, New Mexico in the fall surprises in the best way! Fall is actually one of our favorite times to road trip through New Mexico.

• Best Time to Visit: October to November

• Don’t Miss: Dunes Drive, Sunset on the dunes, Dune Life Nature Trail, Sand sledding

• Best Fall Hikes: Interdune Boardwalk, Alkali Flat Trail

• Best For: Unique landscapes, quiet walks, and wide-open skies

• RTL Tip: Bring a sled and plan for golden hour. The light on the dunes is everything!

White Sands National Park

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