www.nationalparktrips.com Open in urlscan Pro
76.76.21.61  Public Scan

Form analysis
1 forms found in the DOM

GET https://www.nationalparktrips.com

<form class="c-search-form" action="https://www.nationalparktrips.com" method="get">
  <input class="o-input o-input--big c-search-form__input" type="search" name="s" placeholder="Search" value="">
  <button class="c-search-form__submit u-path-fill--primary" aria-label="Search submit"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 30 30">
      <path d="M3.8,16.2a9.5,9.5,0,1,1,15.52,2.95h0A9.5,9.5,0,0,1,3.8,16.2Zm16.38,5.94a12.42,12.42,0,1,1,2-2l7.47,7.46a1.4,1.4,0,0,1-.09,2,1.38,1.38,0,0,1-1.89,0Z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path>
    </svg>
  </button>
</form>

Text Content

Cookie Policy

By continuing to use our website, you agree to our UPDATED Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy.

Outside uses cookies and similar technologies to help our site function, as well
as the placement of cookies and similar technologies on behalf of Outside and
our third-party partners for tailored advertising and marketing. By clicking
“Accept All” you consent to the setting of these cookies and technologies. By
clicking “Decline All” you decline all non-necessary cookies and similar
technologies. Want to know more or manage your preferences? Click "Manage Cookie
Preferences" in the footer of any Outside website.

Accept AllCookie Preferences Icon Cookie Preferences



CELL COVERAGE LAYER

See where you can dial 911 or scope out data for (really) remote work with Gaia
GPS.

Learn More

BEST WEEK EVER

Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free.

Start Your Free Trial


National Park Trips

Powered by Outside



 * Home
   
   Be one of the first to try our new activity feed! Tap “Home” to explore.
   
   Got it
 * Featured
 * Outside Feed Outside Feed
 * Websites & Magazines
 * Travel Guides
 * Parks
 * Road Trips
 * Stories
 * Contests

More



THESE ARE THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT THIS FALL


SEVEN ADVENTURES FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN TO GREAT SMOKY TO TAKE BEFORE THE SNOW
FLIES.

Published Aug 28, 2024

Mikaela Ruland

Repost

Share
 * Copy link
 * Email
 * Share on X
 * Share on Facebook
 * Share on Reddit

Photo: courtesy Heekwan Yang

An autumn scene at Zion National Park's Archangel Falls Photo: courtesy Heekwan
Yang

The kids are back in school, the temperature is dropping and there’s a few
glorious weeks before winter sets in. It’s time for an adventure. Some of the
parks on this list may be no-brainers–Great Smoky in the fall?
Groundbreaking.–but others may surprise you. Whether you’re a classic
leaf-peeper or a desert rat, we’ve got your inspiration for where to go between
September and November. These are the best national parks to visit this fall.


ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Vibrant fall leaves frame Rocky Mountain National Park’s Hallett Peak (Photo:
courtesy Randy Traynor)

Autumn is, perhaps, the best time to visit Colorado’s crown jewel. With fewer
visitors than July and August and little threat of the ubiquitous summer
thunderstorms, September is the perfect month to explore this mountain park.
Quaking aspens turn golden as early as the last days of August, making the
hillsides look like they’ve been touched by Midas himself. Wildlife is abundant
as it prepares for the incoming snows and you’ll hear the haunting bugle of bull
elk echoing across the valleys in the yearly mating ritual known as the rut.
While early snows are always a possibility, the weather usually stays sunny and
beautiful through early October with cold nights and crisp mornings perfect for
a puffy jacket and coffee around the campfire before hitting park trails.
Timed-entry reservations are required during peak hours through October 20, so
be sure to plan ahead.

Fall is the perfect time for a scenic drive on Trail Ridge Road, the highest
paved route in any U.S. national park. You’ll spot gorgeous autumn colors as you
transition from the lower elevations to 12,183 feet above sea level. Or, hit the
trails to find pleasant hiking weather on your way to Emerald Lake or along the
East Inlet Trail. In the mornings and evenings, head quietly to Moraine Park to
spot elk vying for a mate. Be sure to give these creatures a large berth, as
they can be aggressive this time of year.

 

Rocky’s Top 10

 


YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

A fall day along Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park (Photo courtesy
Mikaela Ruland)

While Yellowstone might not be the first park that comes to mind for an autumn
adventure, it’s one of our favorites. Winter comes early to this part of the
country, with snows falling as soon as September some years, but more often than
not you’ll still find nice weather into October. With fewer crowds, more active
wildlife and cold mornings that make the geyser steam even more apparent,
Yellowstone is a perfect fall getaway. Best yet, add on a trip to neighboring
Grand Teton National Park to catch fall colors against the snow-dusted peaks of
the Teton range.

Arrive at Lamar Valley at sunrise–with a to-go mug of coffee in tow to combat
the chilly morning–and watch for the park’s wolves, grizzly bears, bison, elk
and more. It’s one of the best spots in the park to spot wildlife. Take a stroll
through Upper Geyser Basin, past Old Faithful, where you can watch dozens of
geysers erupting. Hit the trails in Grand Teton to see gorgeous fall colors, or
pitch your tent at one of either park’s campgrounds. Just make sure to check
opening dates, as many close in September.

 

10 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone and Beyond

 


OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Fall colors surround Olympic National Park’s Sol Duc Falls (Photo courtesy Ruben
Becerra )

Summer is the best season to visit the park if you’re hoping to dodge the
relentless Pacific Northwest rainfall, but if you don’t mind donning your rain
jacket, autumn is a fantastic time to catch fall colors, ditch the crowds and
drink apple cider. Visit in September for mild weather and less rain than
October and November. You’ll catch fewer visitors than in the summer months,
though this park rarely feels crowded. Rent a cabin at Lake Crescent, Kalaloch,
Log Cabin Resort or Sol Duc to really experience a sense of peace and quiet. At
Sol Duc, you have the added benefit of easy access to the hot springs resort to
warm up on cold days.

Salmon jumping upstream in Olympic National Park (Photo courtesy NPSPD)

Head to the Hoh or Quinault rainforests for a hike through changing foliage, or
pull up an Adirondack chair at Lake Crescent Lodge to enjoy the views with a hot
coffee. In late September and early October, visit Salmon Cascades on the Sol
Duc River to see Coho salmon leaping their way upstream to their spawning
grounds. While fall is gorgeous inside the park, don’t miss experiencing the
surrounding communities during harvest season. From fresh apple cider to a
festival dedicated to seafood, it’s a delicious time of year to visit.

 

10 Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park

 


GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

An autumn sunset over the Smokies (Photo: Nandor Nagy)

If you have your heart set on vibrant fall colors, look no further than our
country’s most popular national park. Thanks to a wild range in elevation from
6,643-foot Clingmans Dome to Abrams Creek at just 840 feet above sea level,
autumn is long in the Smokies. No matter which fall weekend you choose to visit,
you’ll be able to find color somewhere across the park. Summer humidity gives
way to pleasant fall weather, ranging from daytime highs in the 80s to the 50s
as the season progresses. The only drawback? It’s a popular time of year to
visit so you’ll have to get creative to avoid the crowds.

The sun peaks through crimson leaves next to Little Cataloochee Church (Photo:
courtesy Karol Cooper )

Get up early to watch the sunrise from Clingmans Dome, the highest point along
the Appalachian Trail. The short, half-mile paved route will get your blood
pumping, but make sure to bring layers as the weather is often much colder than
at your hotel in Gatlinburg. Make a trip to the Cataloochee area of the park
where you might hear the sounds of bugling elk in the fall months. Mating
season, known as “the rut” is a great time for wildlife watching, but make sure
to keep your distance. Stay at least 100 yards from predators like black bears,
and at least 25 yards from elk and other wildlife. Whether or not you spot elk,
it’s still worth a wander to check out pioneer buildings from the 1800s. The
best way to avoid the autumn crowds and take in fall colors? Hit the trails. The
8.1-mile trek to Charlies Bunion is long enough to get you away from most park
visitors and ends with an expansive view of the surrounding mountains dressed in
shades of red, orange and yellow.

 

10 Best Things to Do on a Great Smoky Mountains Vacation

 


ZION NATIONAL PARK

A fall morning in Zion National Park (Photo courtesy Peter Meyer)

This park combines red rock beauty with pops of yellow thanks to the cottonwood
trees that line the Zion Canyon. Autumn–what we affectionately refer to as
‘desert season’–is our favorite time to visit this park with fewer visitors
after most schools’ fall breaks have ended, and pleasant weather lasting into
November. Highs in the 60s and 70s are perfect for hiking the park’s many trails
and earlier sunsets mean prime stargazing opportunities.

Spot bighorn sheep this fall in Zion National Park (Photo courtesy Phil
Gleissner)

Enjoy the beautiful weather by hitting the trails. The 3.5-mile paved Pa’rus
Trail is a good choice for a short stroll with the kids, or you can try your
luck at an Angels Landing permit to hike the park’s infamous route. Spot bighorn
sheep on the east side, males crashing their bulky horns together in displays
aimed at procuring a mate. When the sun goes down, head back to your site at the
Watchman Campground and gaze up at the stars as you stay warm by the campfire.

 

10 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park

 


YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

A bright reflection of Yosemite’s Half Dome during a fall sunset (Photo courtesy
Anna Wagner)

Autumn is one of the park’s busiest seasons, but don’t let that dissuade you
from visiting. Hitting the trails on a chilly morning under stunning blue skies
or watching the world slowly brighten along the Merced River against the
backdrop of golden trees will convince you of fall’s merits. While you won’t
catch most of the park’s iconic waterfalls this time of year as they’ve dried
up, there’s still plenty to see. Temperatures range from the 80s in Yosemite
Valley in September to the 60s in November.

On weekends through the end of October you’ll still need a peak-hours
reservation to get into the park on holidays and weekends, but once you’re in
head to the nearest trailhead to escape most of the crowds. If the weather
cooperates, squeeze one last Tioga Road hike in and tackle the 1.3-mile
(one-way) trail to May Lake, or the more challenging 7 to 8-mile trek to
Cathedral Lakes. If there’s been snow in the high country, stick to valley
trails like the peaceful Valley Loop with variable mileage. Speaking of Tioga
Road, there’s only a few short weeks until it closes, cutting off the rest of
the park from the Eastern Sierra. Take a scenic drive before mid-November, or
add iconic spots in eastern California like the Alabama Hills and Death Valley
to your agenda.

 

10 Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

 


GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

View of the Colorado River from Grand Canyon National Park in fall (Photo
courtesy Roger Stumbo)

Fall brings desert season to the Grand Canyon and it’s the perfect time to
escape the summer crowds and the heat to experience this natural wonder. At more
than 7,000 feet above sea level, the South Rim gets cool, crisp fall days and
across the canyon the North Rim sits at 8,803 feet, experiencing the occasional
early season snow fall before it shuts down for the winter on October 15.

Temperatures at the bottom of the canyon, at Phantom Ranch, are on average 20-30
degrees hotter than they are at the rim. Summer excursions down the Bright Angel
or South Kaibab trails can be downright dangerous, but when fall rolls around
temperatures cool down enough to make treks into the depths more doable. Enter
the lottery for permits to stay on the canyon floor, or make a day trip down
below the rim to Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse or Ooh-Aah Point for a totally
different experience.

 

10 Best Things to Do in the Grand Canyon

 


Mikaela Ruland
Mikaela Ruland is the editor in chief of National Park Trips. She lives and
breathes the outdoors and you can usually find her hiking, skiing or mountain
biking in nature. She's been to national parks on three continents, including
23/63 U.S. national parks.


SIMILAR READS

U.S. National Parks by State
7 Coolest National Park Gateway Towns
Free National Park Downloads
How to Spend a Perfect Weekend in 7 National Parks




POPULAR ON NATIONAL PARK TRIPS




12 TRIP PLANNERS

Get a free trip planner for your favorite national park with inspiring
itineraries and essential information.

Get Yours
Facebook Icon Instagram Icon

 * Advertise
 * Privacy Policy
 * Contact
 * Careers
 * Terms of Use
 * My Newsletters
 * Manage Cookie Preferences
 * Privacy Request
   



© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc