October is here, and so is the fall season. There is nothing that can match the beautiful fall colours. October brings stunning fall foliage along with fall festivals. With fewer crowds, it is one of the best times to visit.
The scenery is dressed up in fall colours. This is the perfect time to explore for people who love to travel. Fall is one of the most magical seasons of the year. From early October to mid-October, you will experience beautiful fall foliage in some of the most fantastic fall destinations. It is the time to experience the USA in peak fall foliage.
The trees have changed into warm tints of red and orange, so it is time for you to hit the road and experience mid-October fall colours. October is the time to chase the fall foliage.
Fall vacations are here, and in the article, we’ll talk about some of the most beautiful fall foliage destinations in the USA where you can spend your fall vacations. During mid-October, the USA is covered in fall colours and is one of the most visited tourist places, with some of the most fantastic destinations.
10 Best Places to Visit in October
Autumn is just the time of the year when you will feel comfortable in your skin, pulling the sweater over your body. You feel like kicking a football, hiking, or taking a walk down the red and gold forests.
This is also the best time of the year when the weather is crispy and cool, and the coloured foliage gestures you to wear your fast-track shoes and go for the run.
Fall, in other words, is also the harvest season; farmers will gather their crops at this time of the year and make arrangements for their storage. The name fall also comes from tree leaves falling at this time of the year.
There are many places to visit in the USA that show the beautiful fall colors and some of the unique fall festivals. The USA is the perfect place to visit in October as you will experience peak fall foliage then. During your fall vacations, experience the stunning fall foliage.
1. Blue Ridge Parkway
The making of the Blue Ridge Parkway began on September 11, 1935, as a part of The New Deal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress. It was done to employ the unemployed and the poor people.
It was completed 52 years later near Linn Cone Viaduct, around the Smoky Mountains.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a national parkway in the United States. The Parkway welcomes a 469-mile-long scenic drive and connects Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a fantastic place and an incredible fall destination.
The Blue Ridge Parkway welcomes around 2 million visitors during mid-October. It is said to be one of the most scenic roads in America. It is one of the best places for a serene road trip during your fall vacation.
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers 469 miles of exotic views of some of the most beautiful landscapes. You can always relax and have your share of fun as you make arrangements for a long drive.
This mountain range slices together a piece of history and Appalachian mountain culture. Stretching through North Carolina and Virginia, it covers some of the oldest prehistoric and early European settlements.
Many communities are located along the route, and you cannot help noticing the signs, the visitor center exhibits, and the restored historic structures.
You can explore the parkway, and there are various ways of doing it, as they remain beautiful throughout the year. But fall is still one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, so do not forget to bring your camera while travelling leisurely through the road.
Boone area Parkway landmarks some of the most beautiful sceneries from Crabtree Falls, Linville Falls, and the cascades to Mount Mitchell, which towers high above the rest of the mountain range and is a short hour away from the Boone area.
1.1 The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Parkway is scattered along the mountain ridges and around some of the many tallest peaks found in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular destination in the fall. While you drive through it, you get to see the fall foliage. It also has surrounding mountains. People from around the globe come here for leaf peeping every year.
1.2 Things to do in Blue Ridge Parkway
The Parkway offers a serene, quiet drive on a beautiful road trip through the upper elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but there is more to it.
The 469-mile drive offers numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, places of interest, overlooks, and more options.
2. Mammoth Lakes, California
Fall is the ideal season for leaf peepers to visit Mammoth Lakes. The splendid fall colours are on display, and you can experience the spectacular fall foliage. It also has some unique events that you can attend.
The weather there is cool, and the fall weather offers some of the most beautiful scenery. With the eastern Sierra mountain covered in fall, it is bound to make you fall in love with fall.
Many things can be done during October. The eastern Sierra will make your fall vacations worth remembering. It has some of the best places to visit.
Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra are the most beautiful places to discover; if it’s fall season, this place looks stunning. Set against the backdrop of the slate grey granite peaks, the aspen leaves glow as the sunlight washes the edges of the leaves. The place remains coated in snow, and the reflection falls into the alpine lake.
The fall starts creeping in slowly, and by September, most of the foliage disappears in places located at higher altitudes. By early November, even trees located at lower heights start shedding their leaves.
2.1 Fall Colors
The fall season at Mammoth starts late in September or early October. The air turns cool, and because of it, the leaves change color at higher elevations.
The cool air of the fall is why the fall in Mammoth Lakes peaks around mid-October, while the trees surrounding Bishop display fall colours into November. It is stunning.
2.2 Fall Fishing
Mammoth Lakes offers some of the best fishing spots during fall. It is the peak mating season for Brown Trout fish. Their bellies start to change colour. So, you can plan a fishing trip when here.
Some favorite places to fish during the fall are Silver lake, Lake George, and Convict Lake. The entire credit goes to the fish and the landscape’s spectacular beauty.
2.3 Hiking trails
Fall colours and hiking go together. Some of the best places to hike in Mammoth Lakes are:
2.3.1 Reds Meadow Valley:
A 14-mile-long trail is 20 minutes outside of The Mammoth Lakes. It offers spectacular colours to the people.
2.3.2 Horseshoe Lake Loop:
The Horseshoe Lake Loop is in the Lakes Basin. It is a family-friendly hike that is loaded up with a lot of adventures.
It is a 1.7-mile trail that circles Horseshoe Lake. Many other trails surround this trail.
2.4 The Best Thing About Mammoth Lakes
The best part of the fall is that the Eastern Sierra is naturally painted golden, crimson, red, and orange and is a story to be told later. With warm days and cool nights, it is a place to remember.
Apart from this, you must also explore many adventures, such as sightseeing, biking, climbing, horseback riding, floating on a lake, and mountaineering.
Some of the lakes located in Mammoth Lakes Basin are Twin lakes, Lake Mamie, Horseshow Lake, Lake George, and Lake Mary. Some other lakes to explore are June Lake, Grant Lake, Gull Lake, and Silver Lake.
3. Shenandoah National Park
If you are a fall lover, you should visit Shenandoah national park in October, as it is one of the best places to visit.
The leaves change into red, orange, and burgundy, enough to dazzle your eyes. If you want to experience the fall colours, the best time is to visit in October.
During your fall vacations, there are many ways to experience fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park. The leaves change colour at higher elevations in the 1st week of October.
The fall peaks in the middle and low elevations in the last three weeks of October.
3.1 Scenic Drive along the Skyline Drive:
It is a one-hundred-five-mile-long road running north and south along the beautiful crest of the Shenandoah National Park. It is a 3-hour long drive that offers mind-blowing colours of the fall. You also experience wildlife, such as deer, black bears, and wild turkeys.
3.2 Best Fall Hikes:
Shenandoah National Park is one of the best places for hikers. It offers trails with beautiful scenery. If you want a mini hike, you can go for Little Man Overlook, only a 1-mile round trip. It offers a fantastic viewpoint.
If you want an adventurous hike or an all-day trek, you can go for Old Rag Trail. It is a 9.2-mile-long trail. The trek offers narrow rock corridors, different and unique stone formations, and outstanding vistas.
3.3 Fall in love with the View:
There are several dining options at the Shenandoah National Park. Some restaurants offer a Panoramic view of the park along with the fall colours.
One of the best places to stop is the Big Meadows Lodge, which gives a stunning view.
4. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park is stunning during the fall season. With beautiful autumn colours and crisp air, it is one of the best places to visit in October in the USA. You can plan a trip to the park from late September through mid-October.
The place offers the best fall foliage. By late October, because of snow, the trails are shut. There are many places to visit in the fall months.
4.1 Lakes:
The Bench and Snow Lakes is a 2.6-mile-long trek. It is one of the best places to visit in the park. It is an easy hike to experience fall colours. You can expect a beautiful fall colour display in Huckleberry.
4.2 Hiking trails:
Some of the best hiking spots in Mount Rainier National Park are the skyline Trail Loop, Naches Peak Loop, Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout, Narada Falls, and Reflection Lakes Loop.
Make sure to visit Crystal Peep; it is one of the best places to visit at Mount Rainier National Park. It offers a view of 6 volcanoes.
5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is from late September to early October. During this time, there is a light bite in the air, and you will skip the summer crowds and experience the weather just before the first snowfall of the season.
It is one of the best places to visit as you will experience rich fall colours and Autumn scenery against Mount Washburn or Gallatin Mountain Range.
Yellowstone National Park was established as America’s first national park in 1872. It is home to a wide range of wildlife and offers impressive places to visit with stunning scenes.
You can experience hot springs under the beautiful scenery, mud pots, and fumaroles. Hiking in the park is one of the best ways to experience fall. Biking is a popular way to explore the park during Autumn. It is open for cyclists, walkers, and joggers.
5.1 Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone resulted from a huge volcanic eruption nearly 600,000 years ago. The canyon is 1,200 feet deep and 4,000 feet wide. Make sure to visit the Grand Canyon before you leave.
This park is just the ideal place for sightseeing. It has an intact ecosystem, active geysers, and geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon going past the Yellowstone River.
From horseback riding to hiking and scenic wildlife tours, you can find plenty of things to do if you visit Yellowstone National Park. The popular spots are- Lower Falls, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake.
These scenic beauties can be photographed and painted, but watching them with your eyes is worth it. If you want to stay in this place, you can always opt for an early booking. There are hotels, motels, and camping grounds, and you can go for a wild adventure into the heart of Wyoming.
5.2 Wildlife:
Yellowstone National Park is home to a wide range of wildlife. From late October to mid-November, you will experience active wildlife. Fall is one of the best seasons to catch brown trout. Fall is the mating season for elk and Moose.
Fall is the peak season for mating. It is one of the best things to experience. If you get lucky, you can get to hear a male Elk mating call that sounds like a whistling roar. You will also get to see bears getting ready for hibernation.
You can see the bears collecting nuts, fruits, and other snacks to keep in their dens before the winter begins. Ensure you hire an experienced tour guide so you don’t miss anything.
6. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton national park is a place you can visit year-round, but one of the best times is in October. You get the fantastic fall foliage all to yourself, and you don’t have to worry about booked campgrounds.
The desired time to visit is from September to mid-October. By mid-October, all campgrounds will start shutting down.
6.1 Explore:
Some of the best places to visit in Grand Teton National Park are Jackson Lake, Aerial Tram, and Jenny Lake, some of the world’s most beautiful lakes. You also get to explore beautiful hiking grounds.
It is one of the best road trips for seeing wildlife such as bears, moose, wolves, antelopes, deer, and foxes. It also has some of the most scenic campgrounds. It also offers one of the best drives on Inner Park Road.
6.2 Hiking trails:
It has some of the best hiking treks. So, if you have a baby, bring a baby carrier and experience nature.
With cooler temperatures, the hike is enjoyable. When hiking, you will see fewer crowds and cars around. Phelps Lake, Bradley-Taggart, Emma Matilda, and Two Ocean Lake are some of the best trails.
6.3 Wildlife and Fishing:
You have a better chance of seeing wildlife during Autumn. You also have an opportunity to go fishing. Snake River is a popular option for catching brownthroat, and Janny Lake is for Cutthroat and lake trout.
You get to lay your eyes on non-domestic animals by the end of the fall.
7. Arches National Park, Utah
Arches national park is the perfect place for your fall vacation. Utah is extremely hot during summer, so visiting it in October is a better option. With fewer crowds, you also have a better chance to explore freely.
October is the beginning of the offseason, so the place is calmer, and the prices are affordable. The fall there is beautiful. You get to see the intense, rich colours of Autumn. It’s the perfect destination for your fall vacations.
Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra are the most beautiful places to discover; if it’s fall season, this place looks stunning. Set against the backdrop of the slate grey granite peaks, the aspen leaves glow as the sunlight washes the edges of the leaves. The place remains coated in snow, and the reflection falls into the alpine lake.
The fall starts creeping in slowly, and by September, most of the foliage disappears in places located at higher altitudes. By early November, even trees located at lower heights start shedding their leaves.
7.1 Explore
The Arches National Park consists of 2000 sandstone arches and unique geological formations that are a wonder to look at.
The best part of it is the 36 miles of Arches Scenic Drive. The dive offers a lot of viewpoints, great arches, and the La Sal Mountains viewpoint.
7.2 Hiking Trails
If you are a sunset lover, then the best hike trail for you is the hike to Delicate Arch. It is a 3-mile round trip and offers a breathtaking sunset. You can also go hiking along with the Balanced Rock.
7.3 Stargazing
There is a saying that “Half a Park is after the Dark.” At night, you get to see a clear night sky. It is one of the best times to click photographs of the stars and the Milky Way.
The best locations are the Windows Area and Balanced Rock.
8. Acadia National Park
The best time to visit Acadia national park is September through early October, as it is one of the best places to visit in October.
The Acadia National Park is located east of the Mississippi River, and it offers pristine lakes and rugged coastlines for hiking, biking, and camping. This National Park stretches far across the jagged Maine coast over small islands and a portion of the Schoodic Peninsula. One hundred thirty hiking trails and 45 carriage roads can be travelled by bike.
The Acadia National Park was established in 1919, and a generous conservationist donated 6000 acres of land so that Acadia National Park would be large and a nature lover’s haven.
The peak summer season and summer crowds are gone, and you can explore the park just before the freezing weather. Fall is far more enjoyable in Acadia National Park.
It is the season for leaf peeping. Acadia National Park displays fall foliage by mid-October. By late October, the temperature starts to fall. By the fall, the summer crowds are gone, and you will experience downright paradise at Acadia National Park.
It is the beginning of the fall from September to early October, and by mid-October, it is the seasonal pinnacle.
8.1 Fall Festival
Acadia National Parks celebrate The Night Sky Festival, held from 25th-30th September. The night is a whole new reason to visit Acadia National Park.
Light pollution and dark skies are the prime time for stargazing.
9. New York
New York is a city that you should visit in October—the perfect place to spend your fall vacation. October is the perfect time for sightseeing in the city. If you visit New York in October, you also experience Halloween.
This city is mostly located on the three islands-the Long Island, Manhattan, and Staten Island. The Hudson River flows lazily through the city and then into the Atlantic Ocean. This river also separates New York from New Jersey.
The Harlem River and the Bronx River flow through the city, and the Bronx is the only freshwater river in the country.
It is a beautiful sight to look at. The weeks before Halloween are filled up with crazy decorations, and you also get to enjoy The Grand NYC Village Halloween Parade on the 31st of every year.
It is one of the most fun events in the USA.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the perfect fall getaway. Chicago is beautiful year-round, but fall has something magical for the visitors.
It is a fantastic fall destination. You will see fall foliage everywhere. It has some of the best places to visit in the fall.
The reason why you should visit in October is Halloween. During Halloween, they offer many fun events, thrilling parades, ghost tours of haunted places, glowing pumpkin displays, and dead celebrations.
Fall is the harvest season in Chicago. Along with some wine tasting, many fun ways to explore Chicago exist.
Some of these are:
10.1 Ghost Tours:
Chicago has a dark history: the Great Fire, Al Capone, Destructive Riots, Prohibition, and Shipwrecks.
As you like to walk down the street and discover some of the most haunted places in America, you will learn about the vibrant culture that flourished in some of the well-known cities. Some of these haunted houses will scare you off with their deserted cemeteries and eerie gothic structures.
People there say they can still feel the haunting chill in the air. The city is in for some ghostly encounters. Chicago is considered one of the most haunted cities in the USA.
10.2 Haunted Places:
The city has several haunted places to visit. Some of the most Haunted places include the House of Blues, Congress Plaza Hotel, Resurrection Cemetery, and many others. You can also go on walking tours around some haunted Pubs.
10.3 Haunted House
The most famous ghost stories are in San Francisco, and it is believed plenty of ghosts live in San Francisco. These stories will haunt you forever, even when you leave this city, and they will likely give you creeps all over your body. Normally paranormal activities occur in these places, which cannot be explained logically.
Some of the best Haunted Houses to visit are Basement of the Dead, Dungeon of Doom, Terrors in the Timber, and many more.
10.4 Pumpkin Patches:
Fall in Chicago means vibrant fall colours, oversized sweaters, apple picking, bonfires, and Pumpkins. There are many Pumpkin patches that you can visit. Everyone likes to pick their Pumpkin.
There are many Pumpkin patches that you can visit in your fall vacations, like Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm and Garden Center, County Line Orchard, and many more. Along with it, you can also go for some wine tasting.
10.5 Apple Picking:
It’s fall, and it’s time for Apple picking. With vibrant fall foliage, it is the perfect time for Apple picking. You will find plenty of places for picking Apples.
It is also the time to get lost in fantastic corn mazes.
Closing Thoughts
As you have seen in the article, The Places to Spend Your Fall Vacations, to experience peak fall foliage.
Some of the best national parks, along with some gorgeous fall foliage, are some places to visit in the USA. October is the peak season for foliage. If you spend your fall vacation in the USA, it will be your best fall vacation.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology