Best Foliage Trips for Fall

Ask anyone what their favorite season is and many of them are going to give one of two answers; summer or fall. Of course, summer is packed with fabulously warm temperatures, vacations, and the bright blazing ball in the sky. Fall is loved by the people who get sick of summer halfway through the season.

One of the biggest perks of the fall is that it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. The world seems to be lit on fire with the array of colors created by nature as the trees begin their metamorphosis before shedding their leaves for winter’s arrival. There are specific areas where the fall foliage is known to be a bit more picturesque and usually have people headed there in droves to see what nature has to offer. Here are the best of the best.

Aspen, Colorado –If you’re looking for rich yellows and golds in the leaves, the namesake of the town –the Aspen tree –has some of the prettiest. However, the leaf season doesn’t last long in this lovely Colorado town. It’s only available from the beginning of September until the first week in October, but it’s worth the rush to get there. If you’re in the vicinity, Aspen’s leaves are a sight to behold.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts –The New England region is a huge hot spot for leaf tourists who are looking to see what the trees have to offer during the fall, but some of the most popular are the tiny towns tucked away in the crevices of The Berkshires mountain range. Many of these towns possess world-class spas, cultural displays, fantastic museums, and tons of unique little shops to commemorate your autumn road trip. Their season lasts for a while; through most of September and October, sometimes creeping into November.

Smoky Mountains –Creeping through North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smoky Mountains have a plethora of colors to attract foliage addicts. Peppered with gold, red, orange, and even hues of purple, the Smoky Mountains offer an iconic view without the foliage, so it’s that much better with the color. From early October to early to mid-November, leafers can enjoy the view.

Upper Peninsula, Michigan –Part of the biggest forests in the Eastern United States, Michigan is packed with over twenty state parks in the Upper Peninsula and over eight different species of trees. Coupled with the gorgeous hues of the water, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offers stunning views from the middle of September through October.

Glacier National Park, Montana –During the summer, Glacier National Park is jam-packed with tourists enjoying the amazing views that nature presents in Montana. However, in September, when the conifers are at the height of their beauty, it feels as though it is laid out just for you. Most people wouldn’t consider a conifer tree to be a sight to behold, but before they lose their needles, they turn a lovely shade of gold. When teamed up with the evergreens, the mountain backdrop, and the native wildlife, Glacier is a must-see during the months of September and October.

Although the fall extends well into December, the height of the leaf seasons begin in September and if you’re lucky, it will last through November. Although the other seasons all have something to offer in terms of beautiful backdrops of what nature can do, it’s incredible the amount of beauty that fall presents. It’s so much more than pumpkin spice season, so before it’s over, get outside and take in the crisp fall air and the portrait painted by Mother Nature.