5 Interesting Places to See Fall Leaf Colors

Fall is my favorite time of year, when nature paints a colorful picture in neighborhoods, parks, and forests. When I originally wrote this post in late 2020, many people were eager to take short road trips and day trips for a much-needed change of scenery. If you are like me, there is something soothing about taking a walk or a drive to enjoy the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellow of the season. But where to go to see the colorful fall leaves? Here are 5 ideas for interesting places to see fall foliage, some of which might be closer to home than you think.  
*This post was updated August, 2024

1. Take a Hike in a Nearby National or State Forest. With more and more people turning to outdoor activities, some are discovering that national and state forests have a lot to offer. With over 150 national forests managed by the Forest Service, along with state forest land, it’s not hard to find a forest close to home and some solitude in the woods. But where do you start  when there are over 150,000 miles of trails in the national forests? Filters are available to search for forest areas that offer activities such as camping, hiking and fishing. 

When we took a day trip to the Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania one beautiful fall day, we practically had the trails to ourselves! Call ahead to chat with the rangers about the best places to hike and whether the trails are dog friendly (many are). Be prepared by downloading a map and laying out your route before you go. For waterfall fans, check out this list of waterfalls found in national forests. Keep in mind that during wildfire season, access to some state and national forests may be temporarily closed. No matter where you live, it’s always a good idea to check for the latest alerts from the state and federal websites before leaving home.

2. View the Fall Color from Two Wheels. The fall is one of my favorite times to get out on a bike trail, and one thing we’ve learned in the DC area is to get out early to beat the fall crowds. The W&OD Trail is a Virginia favorite, running 45 miles from Purcellville all the way to the Arlington area. Or hop on the Mount Vernon Trail— and ride either a portion or all of the 18 mile paved trail which runs from Theodore Roosevelt Island all the way to Mount Vernon. Along the way, enjoy views of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial from across the Potomac River. Continue riding to Old Town Alexandria, a charming place with lots of opportunity to see fall colors mixed with cobblestone streets.

After a visit to Roanoke, Virginia, we found the tree-lined Greenway Trails offered a nice variety of riding for all abilities. Like Roanoke, there are many cities around the country that are expanding their network of trails, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a trail close to home. Two other historic trails to consider include the C&O Canal Towpath, which runs from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland, and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, from Cincinnati to Cleveland, Ohio. Of course, no list of fall bike rides would be complete without including New England, which is still on my bucket list.  

​3. Discover Your Local State Park(s). With over 10,000 state park units across the country, it’s pretty easy to find state park options close to home that offer hiking among the trees. If you haven’t explored the state parks in your own state, start by a simple internet search, or use Pinterest to find the best places in your state known for fall foliage.

Take a hike, or consider finding a park with water access to view the fall foliage from the vantage point of a kayak or canoe. The America’s State Parks website has a great filter that lets you search by state or location. We have made fall visits to scenic Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia, Virginia’s Shenandoah River State Park, and Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland. For more inspiration, explore these 8 State Parks for Fall Travel or a 2-Day Van Adventure in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. 

Read: Explore These  5 Scenic Bike Trails in the Mid-Atlantic Region

4. Explore Your Local Arboretum or College Botanical Garden. You might be surprised to find that a quick internet search for a botanical garden or arboretum in your state could  reveal a spot almost in your own backyard! These hidden gems often are great places for viewing the changing fall colors, often with a variety of trees and tons of space for social distancing. Some arboretums might charge admission, while others, like the National Arboretum in Washington DC offer visitors plenty of open space to roam with no admission fees and free parking (yes, I said free parking in Washington, DC). The National Arboretum is home to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, where you might see the changing fall colors on a smaller scale.

The Gingko Grove Garden at the Virginia Arboretum offers a dazzling display of fall color if you catch the trees at their fall peak. Many college campuses are also home to beautiful botanical gardens. Just be sure to check before you go to make sure there are no  restrictions in place for visitors on campus grounds.  

​5. Take a Scenic Drive To See A Covered Bridge. There is nothing that represents fall more than driving down a country road and finding a covered bridge framed with fiery yellow, orange and red leaves. The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges  has been working since 1950 to help preserve many of these historic bridges. Explore their resources, which include information and addresses for covered bridges in all 50 states. Don’t miss Pennsylvania, which boasts over 200 covered bridges. Vermont, Indiana, and New Hampshire also are home to numerous bridges. The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges site also includes links to itineraries for bridge tours in a handful of states. Around the DC area, take a day trip to nearby Frederick, Maryland, to explore 3 historic covered bridges. The Roddy Road Covered Bridge, a replica of the original bridge, is a picture-perfect fall scene.  

Tweet