Southern Blue Ridge Mountains
You can’t really talk about the leaves changing color without talking about the Blue Ridge Mountains! The Blue Ridge region is quite large and extends along the western border of North Carolina. This Blue Ridge belongs to the largest mountain chain in the eastern United States, known as the Appalachian Mountains. Although the rest of North Carolina still hasn’t fully begun to change, the higher elevation and cooler temperatures along the Blue Ridge Mountains force the foliage to change much earlier. If you plan on heading up to the Blue Ridge Mountains this fall, make sure you do it before November, otherwise, it will be past peak. One of the best ways to experience the most that the region has to offer is to take a scenic trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. People from all around the world travel along the Parkway during the fall in order to see the sweeping views and magnificent colors.
Shenandoah Valley
Slightly to the north of the Southern Blue Ridge Range is the Shenandoah and Shenandoah Valley region. Located in along the western border of Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley is among the most beautiful places to travel this fall. Within the Shenandoah Valley is Shenandoah National Park, a perfect place to see the changing foliage. Geographically, the area is quite similar to the Blue Ridge Mountains and is technically part of the range, although most locals refer to it as the Shenandoah region (or just the Shenandoah). The Skyline Drive is probably the best route to take through Virginia in order to see sweeping views of the region.
Allegheny Mountains
Continuing our journey north, we enter West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Allegheny Mountains are a range included within the greater Appalachian chain and span the eastern border of West Virginia, a bit of western Virginia, and a portion of Pennsylvania. The best time to view “peak” colors are in the early part of October, but they are still plenty vibrant and worth the visit for anyone nearby. The Allegheny National Forest and the Pine Creek Gorge are great places to see the changing leaves.
Adirondacks
The Adirondacks aren’t as well known as the Blue Ridges or even the Shenandoah Valley, but it also technically belongs to the same geographic region as the two more southerly ranges. Located in upstate New York, this group of mountains is part of the Appalachians and is about 5,000 square miles in a roughly circular dome. Since this region is pretty cold and more northerly, the best time to go this year is through October. Any later and you risk missing the most vibrant portions of the foliage change. Common viewing spots include Lake Placid, Lake George, and Route 86.
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a vast and beautiful range that extends from northern Arizona all the way to Canada. Since the region is so big, the exact timing of the leaves will vary, but early October is ideal for the most northern reaches, while the more southern regions are best saved for late October into November. Some of the best places to see the leaves change in the Rockies include Fern and Cub Lakes, Glacier Gorge, Trail Ridge Road, Kebler Pass, and Alberta Falls. The Rockies are famous for their distinct yellow fall foliage, which is caused by the high number of aspen trees throughout the range.
Great Lakes Region
The Great Lakes Region is quite large, which is a good thing for people wanting to see colors! If you live in the northern part of the Midwest, the Great Lakes are a great place to view the color change. Each lake has its own microclimate, with Lake Superior being the coldest and most northerly. Early October is ideal for the most northern portions of the Great Lakes Region, especially the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the coastline of Lake Superior. If you missed it, there are still plenty of regions around lower Michigan, northern Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Truthfully, most of the coastline along any of the lakes is a perfectly fine place to check out the leaves changing.
New England
New England may be one of the most famous and beautiful fall destinations in the entire world. In the United States, New England is among the first regions to begin peaking, although its worth seeing all the way to November. Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire are famous for their massive deciduous forests, which are the ideal type of tree for color changes. Famous places to see the leaves change in New England include the White Mountains in New Hampshire, Woodstock in Vermont, and Bar Harbor in Maine.
Upper Western United States
Although there isn’t “technically” a name for this region, the “upper western United States” seems to do the trick. This region includes northern Idaho, the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming. Each state is quite different but still has its fair share of mountainous regions and beautiful forests. It is important to note that most of these states have massive regions of rolling plains. In Montana, the western portion of the state is within the Rocky Mountains while the eastern portion is mostly grasslands, for example. Notable foliage viewing spots include Glacier National Park in Montana, the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in North Dakota, Palisades State Park in South Dakota, and the Selkirk Loop in Idaho.
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