With chilly mornings creeping in in some states, fall is on its way.
Visiting national parks to see the colors of the season, or ‘leaf peeping’, is a popular pastime and provides a big boost to the economies of some states. An analysis from Appalachian State University shows that fall tourism contributes more than $30 billion annually to local economies in 24 eastern states.
Alexandra Blodgett understands the call. The travel content creator spoke to Business Insider in 2024 about her favorite national parks – at that point she had been to 35, and also every state in the US.
While she has had a wide range of experiences, from hiking scenic trails to taking in breathtaking views from cliffs, she said her favorite by far is watching the national parks undergo their annual fall transformation.
“I’m pretty focused on the natural beauty of the outdoors,” Blodgett, who spent years traveling in an RV with her husband, told Business Insider.
If you’re planning to hit the road to catch the fall foliage – usually visible from late September in the northern states before heading south in October and November – Blodgett has a few under-the-radar and laid-back spots to recommend.
Here are her five favorite national parks to visit in the fall.
North Cascades National Park in Washington
Fall sunrise at Whatcom Pass, North Cascades National Park, Washington. Eric Zamora/VW PICS/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Blodgett said not enough people are talking about this 505,000-acre park, which is a three-hour drive from Seattle.
And yet its larch-lined valleys and pristine glacial lakes make it a must-visit place.
“I think this is a very underrated national park,” Blodgett said. “The reason is that a lot of the most beautiful places are deep in the hinterland.”
“That’s why it’s a really great place for hikers, and it’s still a beautiful park that anyone can visit because there’s a lot of beautiful things that don’t necessarily require a super deep hike,” she added.
What stands out are the towering larches, bursting with golden hues, including around nearby Maple Pass and Blue Lake. There is also the Diablo Lake Overlook, which offers views of Diablo Lake with jagged peaks known as the American Alps in the background.
Peak autumn period: The leaves along the side road leading into the park begin to change color in late September, with some spots reaching their peak in mid-October, although fall conditions can change from year to year.
Tree species: There are yellow aspen, multicolored mountain ash, golden larches, poplars and wine maples, among others.
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
A chipmunk in front of Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Michael Overstreet/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Picture this: 13 square miles of pristine blue water against the backdrop of Cascade cliffs and some of the cleanest air in the country. America’s deepest lake is a sight to see in all seasons, but especially worth a visit in the fall.
Blodgett recommends spending at least two full days.
“There’s one ride through the park, Rim driveThat would definitely take a full day or more depending on how much time you want to spend on it, and then another day to explore some of the other little ad hoc areas like the Rim Village and the Pinnacles,” she said.
That said, visitors should check current conditions before embarking on the trip – construction has closed the Cleetwood Cove Trail and some parts of East Rim Drive this year.
Although the park is usually heavily visited year-round, Blodgett says it’s another “unique” and “super beautiful” place that doesn’t get as much attention.
Plus, she added, it’s just as beautiful, if not more so, in the winter.
“They get so much snow that it’s amazing to see that much snow in one place,” she said. ‘I like that Crater Lake.”
Peak autumn period: In Oregon, the trees burst with color in mid-October, but the leaves begin to turn golden in the first few weeks of September.
Tree species: Although most of the park’s trees are conifers, quaking aspens, black cottonwoods, willows, alders, and dogwoods add bursts of color.
Capitol Reef National Park in Utah
Yellow trees in front of the castle in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. gnagel/Getty Images/iStockphoto
This national park is home to epic sights, including yellow leaves against the backdrop of red rock gorges.
Blodgett said Capitol Reef is a popular road trip stop because it is one of the “big five,” or the five national parks in Utah: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.
Despite its popularity, Blodgett says there are a lot of underrated things to see and experience, “and most people are just scratching the surface to check it off their list.”
Instead, she strongly recommends, “Make sure you have enough time to dig into it a little deeper.”
Nearby Byway 12 has some fantastic stops for a full view of the fall hues. If you prefer to explore on foot, you can walk along the Hickman Bridge or Capitol Gorge Wash, and if you prefer traveling with childrenpicking fruit in the orchards is a great thing to add to your list.
Peak autumn period: Trees at a height of 8,000 to 10,000 feet reach their peak colors in the fall in early October, and slowly spread downward by mid-October, with the lowest heights peaking in late October to early November.
Tree species: Aspen trees, poplars and boxwoods, and some fruit orchards can be seen throughout the park.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota
River Bend overlooks Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Education Images / Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
Although it takes some determination to reach this western park in North Dakota, it’s worth a trip in the fall, especially if you also enjoy spotting wildlife.
“The free-roaming wild horses in the park are really unique, and a lot of people don’t know they’re there. So that’s kind of fun,” Blodgett said.
In addition to the horses, visitors can also catch a glimpse of bison, elk, white-tailed and mule deer, other mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
The best way to experience the park’s fall colors is to drive the 28-mile loop trail in the North Unit, or you can hike to the top via the Boicourt Overlook Trail in the South Unit.
Peak autumn period: Leaves change in mid-September and typically peak at the end of the month.
Tree species: The park consists mainly of poplars.
Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Badlands of South Dakota. Darlene Spell/Getty Images/iStock
This is not your typical fall experience, as most badlands are primarily home to grasslands. Yet the towering reddish-brown rock formations more than make up for the lack of views of the forest.
Blodgett told BI she thinks Badlands National Park is another “beautiful but underrated park.”
She recommends spending two days in the park so you have plenty of time to do so spot some wildlife and look at the stars at night.
Peak autumn period: Grasslands begin to change color from green to golden yellow in late summer, early September, and remain colorful until October.
Tree species: Much of the park is covered in knee-high prairie grass, but it is also home to more than 400 other plant species.
Editor’s note: A version of this story was originally published in October 2024. It was updated in August 2026.
