In the News: Where to Find the Best Fall Colors

It's the most colorful time of the year.  In the northeast, you are surrounded by beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow as leaf-peeping season kicks into full swing, but you don't have to be in just one region to appreciate all the fall foliage. There are some great seasonal spots around the country and in Canada,  where you can see the leaves in all their colorful splendor, whether by car, train, boat, or by going for a nice, long walk in the crisp fall air.

It goes without saying that Vermont is one of the most well-known places in the U.S. when it comes to fall foliage, especially in the central and southern parts of the state, the Lake Champlain Islands, areas near Burlington, and in the beautiful Green Mountains.

Whether you're planning to venture upstate in search of fall fun or opt to stay in the big city, New York gives you plenty of options. If you'd rather stay in the heart of New York City, go for a stroll around Central Park in the fall for vibrant color changes during the last few weeks of October into November. Pick any spot in the park for a fall picnic, just don't forget to bring your camera!

The Great Smoky Mountains are a breathtaking sight, especially in fall when the mountain foliage turns to radiant shades of crimson, orange, and purple. Nestled between North Carolina and Tennessee, the most-visited national park in the United States is home to 100 species of native trees with an awesome display of turning leaves. Peak fall foliage travel is predicted for early October through early November; the most memorable colors coming courtesy of sugar maples, scarlet oaks, sweetgums, red maples, and hickories.

Arkansas is one of the best places to see fall foliage. Every autumn, nature paints the mountains and valleys of state with gorgeous hues of gold, red and orange. Many of Arkansas's visitors come for special fall vacations to catch a glimpse of the season. An array of scenic drives showcases autumn's finest while allowing you to explore the state's varied topography.

While it’s the place to see and be seen every winter, autumn brings a sense of serenity to Aspen, Colorado. While Colorado’s aspens don’t offer the vibrant fall color spectacle of say, the Northeast, the yellows, golds, and bold oranges that cover the mountainsides here, against a backdrop of intermittent evergreens, are still reason enough for a visit.

Photo from Agawa Canyon Tour Train

Hop on board the Agawa Canyon Tour Train this autumn and you’ll be treated to some of the most beautiful fall foliage on the planet. The ride sets off from Sault Ste Marie on the Canada–USA border, covering 114 miles of unspoilt country that looks at its best as the days begin to close in. The views here inspired Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, Canada’s most prominent landscape artists, throughout the early 20th century. You’ll need to be quick though, as the leaves peak for a brief period around the end of September and beginning of October.

Certain areas of the country, the Northeast corridor, the Southeast, along the Appalachian Mountains, and much of the Midwest produce the most striking and vibrant colors because of mild autumn days and cool (but not freezing) evenings. If daytime temperatures are too warm for an extended period of time, colors are less intense.

If you’re planning a fall foliage trip, choose your route based not only on the timing of nature’s fiery color display, but also around available activities. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com