Fall Foliage- Scenic Road Trips

It’s National Fall Foilage week!

Fall is officially here and no matter what part of the country you’re in, you can enjoy the scenery as the leaves start to change color. North, South, East or West; We’ve compiled a list of National Parks and cities all throughout the United States that are ranked among the most beautiful to view the fall foliage.

So, it’s time to fill up the gas tank, strap on the hiking boots and go enjoy the great outdoors. Here are the best fall foliage road trips for you and your family.    

1. Stowe, Vermont
   • Vermont is the nation’s fall color capital and Stowe is consided the #1 destination in the country to see the fall foliage. Forests cover 3/4 of the state, with vivid shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red from Septermber through mid October, so if you don’t make it to Stowe to look on Vermont’s highest peak, there’s no worries. There are over 20 drives in the state alone, ranging from 30-200 miles that you could take to view the scenary!
2. Bar Harbor, Maine
   • You can visit the Frenchman Bay or make your way into Maine’s Acadia National Parkand to explore the 47,000 acres of woodslands, rocky beaches, and mountains- including Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast. The during the fall the entire forest blanketed in the oranges and yellows of fall. Trees turn in mid-September and usually fall around 2 weeks into October.
3. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas
   • The Ozark Forest spans over 16 Arkansas counties equaling 1.2 Million acres! It is ranked one of the best spots in the southern portion of the United States to view the fall foliage. The forest is full of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, caves, and overhangs, as well as hundreds of different hiking trails and campgrounds. If you live reletively close, you don’t want to miss your chance to explore this beautiful landscape this fall! Peak foilage occurs in late Ocotber and lasts until early November.
4. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
   • This National Park has been named an, old growth forest. It is home diverse wildlife and champion trees, the tallest trees in the United States. Their tall canopies provide protection for the forest floor below, letting gorgeous natural features form. While you are at the 26,000 acre park you can take your pick of hiking, boating, fishing, or camping to enjoy the foliage. Trees turn in mid October and usually fall in early November.
5. Aspen, Colorado
   • The name says it all, the Aspen trees that fill this mountain town transition from green to a breathtaking hue of golden honey in the fall. The trees can be found prevalently across the state of Colorado, but leaf chasers from all over the US visit Aspen in the autumn to admire the trees based at the foot of the Maroon Bells, a pair of 14,000 ft. moutains. Aspen’s peak foilage is around the 4th week of September and usually entends into mid-October.
6. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
   • The 80 mile gorge is designated America’s largest National Scenic Area. It’s rich forests span alongside the Cascade Mountains, creating large waterfalls and beautiful sceneic overlooks. With thousands of pine trees, maples, and cottonwoods, the colors are unforgettable during foliage season, Oregon even offers stops along the Columbia River Gorge Highway where tourists can take in the scenary. Trees begin to turn mid- to late- October and last until mid-Novermber.
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
   • Few landscapes in the world can beat the jagged peaks of Grand Teton at Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The majestic park is beautiful during every time of the year, and has the tourism to prove it, but during the fall it is extraordinary. The Teton Range is home to large Cottonwoods, Apens, and other deciduous trees that’s leaves turn to crisp shades of yellow, orange, and red from early-September through mid-October. These trees surround many of the lakes that the park has to offer, and with the Grand Teton backdrop, the park one of the most photogenic in the country.
8. Napa Valley, California
   • Wine Country may not be the first place you think of when you hear Fall Foilage, however the Napa Valley vineyards are one of the best places in the country to enjoy the fall colors. The leaves on the grapevines begin to turn shades of gold and crimson while bright, yellow-hued gingko trees line the roads; it’s a stunning sight. Pair the scenary with a crisp glass of red wine, and it makes the perfect fall foilage road trip. If you are traveling to Napa, trees begin turning in late-October to early-November and leaves started to fall mid- to late- November. 

A few more noteworthy Fall Foilage travel desinations include: Poconos, Pennsylvania, New River Gorge, West Virgina, Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina & Tennesee, Catskill Mountains, New York, Glacier National Park, Montana, Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota. 

Don’t miss your chance as catching the peak colors this season, follow the 2019 Fall Foilage Map and plan your ultimate sceneic vacation!

Plan on going on a road trip to see the fall foilage in another state or National Park? Follow our Road Trip Safety Guide and remeber to always make sure you have the right auto insurance coverage on your vehicle. 

Happy Travels! 🙂

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.