Though the Delta Variant has caused some of us to rethink our travel plans, that doesn’t mean leaf-peeping is off the table. In fact, getting out to explore foliage along country roads and in some of the quieter corners of this country has become more appealing than ever. From pristine and remote mountain vistas in California to the spectacular forests of the Northeast, here are several places where you can enjoy fall foliage without the crowds.
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
There are so many ways to peacefully take in the fall foliage along the country back roads of Bucks County. You might start with an idyllic self-guided covered bridge driving tour (Bucks County is one of the birthplaces of covered bridge building in America). Given that it is self-guided, the tour will of course be crowd free and it will take you past bridges that date back to the early 19th century. Yet another way to get a memorable view of the colors of the season here is a hot air balloon ride, which will let you drift above miles of breathtaking landscapes on for an unforgettable adventure.
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Cambria, California
An inviting sanctuary, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve offers visitors a rare expanse of nature and solitude. In addition to the more than 150 native plants here and 430 birds, there’s a Monterey pine forest (one of the five remaining native stands in the world) making the ranch an ideal place to take in fall foliage. With eight miles of trails winding through the preserve, offering almost a back-country experience—there are few better places to explore the colors of the season.
Fred W. Symmes Chapel, Cleveland, South Carolina
Another memorable way to experience the seasonal colors in solitude is to take in a sunrise from the open-air Fred W. Symmes Chapel in Cleveland, South Carolina. The breathtaking experience will make it very clear why it’s nicknamed “pretty place.” Perched atop Stone Mountain, the chapel, which was built in 1941 by namesake Fred W. Symmes, offers spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the rolling hills of Greenville County.
Lincoln Woods State Park, Blackstone Valley, Rhode Island
Just 15 minutes north of Providence, Lincoln Woods is a world away when it comes to experiencing crowd-free expanses. (This is due in large part to the area being far less well known as a foliage destination than the Vermonts and New Hampshires of the region.) Often described as one of the Blackstone Valley’s greatest treasures, Lincoln Woods offers visitors freshwater beaches shaded by golden yellow and red foliage-covered trees. The Blackstone Valley is also home to more than a few family-owned farms, should you be interested in picking seasonal fruit. And don’t miss the 11-mile Blackstone River Bikeway while leaf-peeping.
The Adirondacks, New York
New York’s Adirondack Mountains offer unlimited potential. Spread over six million acres there are many ways to escape the crowds while taking it all in — from unique fall foliage excursions via airplane to paddling, kayaking, and hiking. Need a little help figuring out where to get started? The Adirondack Wayfinder provides a variety of suggested itineraries for fall touring and leaf-peeping. The guide also includes farms, breweries, and family-friendly activities. And don’t miss checking out the ADK Fall Foliage Report for the most up-to-date details on the region’s leef peeping scene.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
The western part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina displays its finest fall foliage through the end of October, which later than northern regions of the country. For a crowd-free vacation, leaf peepers can take a scenic road trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway, which weaves through the central Appalachian Mountains and Smokies, and is flanked by the striking yellow birch, maple, and hickory trees. To truly take advantage of the beautiful landscape, road trippers can camp at Fort Wilderness RV Park and Campground, where outdoor adventures abound, from kayaking, whitewater rafting and fishing in Deep Creek and Fontana Lake, to hiking and ziplining through the colorful trees of Nantahala National Forest.
Finger Lakes, New York
There are few better times to visit the Finger Lakes than when the hills come alive with the colors of fall. And with 9,000 square miles to explore, you’ll find plenty of freedom from crowds. Visitors can even take in the season’s beauty by chartering a private boat with Cayuga Lake’s “Water to Wine Tour”, which provides private tastings at lakeside wineries. For spectacular aerial views of the vibrant October leaves, visitors can float over the rolling hills of Canandaigua by hot air balloon (another private experience).
Lexington, Kentucky
Yes, Lexington is a major destination, but it’s one that offers wide-open spaces where you can take in spectacularly fiery foliage all on your own. Adventure-seekers for instance might opt for aerial views of foliage while soaring 185 feet above ground via Boone Creek Outdoors Zipline Canopy Tours. You can also explore brightly colored foliage with fewer crowds by visiting some of the region’s beautiful natural areas including the Kentucky River Palisades, a 450-million-year-old ecosystem that can be explored via self-guided hikes.
Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, South Carolina
Running from Greenville to Furman, this beginner-friendly 22-plus mile trail is known to be a great place to witness beautiful fall colors. With a variety of offshoots and extensions to explore along this trail network, even if you pass by a few fellow cyclers, you’re not likely to experience actual crowds here, especially if you opt to visit during the week.
Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Oregon
The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway takes you past volcanic peaks, rushing rivers, and of course, the fall colors of the Umpqua Valley. The Upper Klamath Basin in particular is filled with dramatically colored deciduous oak trees, as well as red alders, big leaf maple, and quaking aspens. There’s also plenty of Instagram-worthy hiking spots here, where you can snap images of the brilliant oranges, reds, and golds that dot the landscape. Top trails include Roxy Ann Trail in Prescott Park, which you’ll want to hike up to Roxy Ann Peak in Medford. While in the region, don’t miss the 93-acres of forested canyon land in Ashland’s Lithia Park, where you’ll find a utopia of fall colors.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen may of course be best known as a ski destination for the rich and famous, but fall is a wonderful and far more low-key time to explore the area. During Autumn, Aspen is surrounded by gold, as the leaves on its namesake tree begin to change. Visitors can explore it all by hiking, biking, or even fishing far from crowds. One of the most popular hikes here’s is through Castle Creek Valley where you can immerse yourself amid the trees, and hike past winding creeks, and even an old ghost town.
New Hampshire
Though the Granite State is another destination well-known as a leaf-peeping hotspot, it is possible to escape the crowds here too. And it will be well worth the effort, as each autumn, the forests of New Hampshire become a symphony of red, orange, yellow, and green. The fall colors usually arrive in late September and reach their peak around or after Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day. The show of colors begins in the northern part of the state and gradually moves south. Some of the best places to see the display include the White Mountains, Upper Valley, and Monadnock Region. One of the top fall foliage drives can be found by heading west on Route 9 (from Concord) toward Hillsborough, passing Pat’s Peak, a region that’s quite vibrant in Autumn. You might also take Route 123 north to Walpole in Stoddard, a picturesque country drive that winds through lovely towns and is full of vistas. There’s also plenty of hiking opportunities that allow for taking in the foliage including at Concord’s Winant Park and at Fox State Forest.
Shawnee Forest Country, Illinois
Located in the rural areas of Southernmost Illinois, you’d be hard-pressed to find any crowds in Shawnee Forest Country. And if you visit on a weekday, you’re even more likely to have an entirely solitary experience. The sprawling canopies of forest here are made up of hickories, red oak, and sassafras, all of which form a tapestry of yellow and orange, while white oak trees settle into hues of deep red. Peak viewing here is from mid-October through mid-November. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing are some of the best ways to take in the views.
Okemo Mountain, Vermont
Though it may be most well-known as a destination for skiing and snowboarding, Okemo Mountain is also a picturesque place for fall activity and exploration. There are several ways to experience the mountain’s foliage without be surrounded by other visitors. The historic, mountaintop fire lookout tower offers 360-degree views. Visitors can reach the tower by driving to the summit of Okemo Mountain on Mountain Road, a four-mile road that leads from just west of Ludlow Village to a small parking area near the summit. There are also a few scenic overlooks along the road up the mountain, which offer stunning views. You might also opt to ride among the colorful treetops on a scenic chairlift ride. The Sunburst Six is often described as a “sofa in the sky” replete with footrests and a retractable transparent dome to protect passengers from mountain breezes.
Tuolumne County, California
Under three hours from the San Francisco Bay area, Tuolumne County is home to the High Sierras, a place filled with fall foliage. Added bonus—more than half of Yosemite National Park is located in Tuolumne County as well. (And it’s the least crowded half of the park, according to experts.) Hetch Hetchy reservoir area, in particular, is a hidden gem and it’s the only entrance to the park that doesn’t require a reservation. As for why it’s notable during fall foliage season specifically, this portion of the park has one of the longest hiking seasons of any in the park. Another top way to take in the colors here is the Highway 108 Photogenic Journey to Sonora Pass, which takes you past aspens, unique rock formations, and panoramic mountain vistas.
Wisconsin
Olympic National Park and Forest, Washington
Olympic National Park & Forest is located on the northwestern-most point in the contiguous United States, making it a place where you can blissfully disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in the colors of the season. The region, which includes mountains, rainforest, and spectacular coastline, is said to be one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to take in the bounty of fall colors. Come September and October, the destination is described as a mystical, otherworldly beauty that transcends the ordinary. Often referred to as three parks in one, the Olympic National Park boasts three different ecosystems: glacier-capped peaks, old-growth, and temperate rain forests and the wild Pacific coastline. It was named a World Heritage site in 1981 for its beauty, as well as the diversity of plants and animals.
Allegany County, Maryland
In Allegany County, Mother Nature is the star in every season, but fall is arguably the most spectacular. With 60,000 acres of natural beauty, this destination is brimming with unparalleled views. And with so much public space, you’ll be hard-pressed to feel crowded by other visitors. But one way to ensure you steer clear of others is by taking a self-guided scenic driving tour of Green Ridge State Forest. At 47,560 acres, the forest is the largest adjoining block of public land in the state. The 45-mile self-guided driving tour includes five stunning overlooks to observe the majesty of the fall season. The entire drive takes about three hours, so packing a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way is encouraged. Yet another way to enjoy this destination is bicycling along the 150-mile-long Great Allegany Passage or enjoying a rail biking excursion through scenic Western Maryland Railway and GAP with Tracks and Yaks. While you may pass a few other hikers or cyclists along the way, we can promise, you’ll be far from any crowds.
