19 Charming U.S. Towns Where Fall Foliage Is Absolutely Magical

There’s something magical about watching the transition from summer greens to the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of fall. Every autumn, avid leaf-peepers make annual pilgrimages to forests, mountains, and even deserts to view this awesome display on hikes and scenic drives. New England may be the best-known region for fall hues, but there are places all over the U.S. that showcase spectacular foliage.

From New Mexico and Indiana to New York and Vermont, we’ve curated a list of the best small towns to see this seasonal shift. To stay up to date on the peak weeks to see fall colors in each area, check American Forests’ foliage tracker.

Stowe, Vermont

Vermont and neighboring New Hampshire are two states known for some of the best fall foliage in the U.S., and Stowe is one of the most charming places to see fiery leaves. It’s a tiny town with a big reputation—not only for its ski slopes that tempt powder hounds but also for its abundance of sugar maples that turn orange and red in the autumn. Hike, bike, or drive through the expanse of stunning fall foliage. If you time it right, you can attend the annual Oktoberfest at the von Trapp Family Lodge, which usually takes place in late September.

When to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Nashville, Indiana

You might not have heard of Nashville, Indiana (and that’s partly what makes it so great), but this under-the-radar town shines in the fall. Nashville is about a five-minute drive from Brown County State Park, the perfect place to immerse yourself in hues of yellow, orange, and red. At just shy of 16,000 acres, the park contains roughly 20 miles of roads bordered by dazzling foliage.

When to go: Late September to early November

Snowmass Village, Colorado

Just west of Aspen lies the unbelievably beautiful town of Snowmass Village. Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the village is known for its year-round recreation and ubiquitous aspen trees, which make a stunning (albeit short) shift from fluttering green to bright yellow and orange with hints of red. To get out among the colors, spend the day on the Crater Lake trail, which takes you past two gorgeous (and, in the fall, colorful) alpine lakes.

When to go: Early September to mid-October

Taos, New Mexico

New Mexico might not be the first place you think of when it comes to fall colors. But the tiny town of Taos in the high desert offers visitors just that, in addition to its historic adobe buildings and rich Native American heritage. When the temperature begins to cool and the leaves start to shift, hop in your car and take on the 84-mile Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, which encircles New Mexico’s highest peak and delivers a stunning array of fall foliage.

When to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Lenox, Massachusetts

Lenox is one of those beautiful East Coast towns with quaint inns and rolling hills that pull out all the stops come autumn. Nestled in the Berkshires, it’s the place to be when the leaves begin their annual shift. Visit the pond and trail system in the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, hike in the nearby Kennedy Park, or take a picnic to the beautiful grounds of The Mount—the former home of Gilded Age novelist Edith Wharton—and watch as the fall colors seem to change in front of your eyes.

When to go: Late September to mid-October

Oakland, Maryland

Fall is fêted in Oakland, and when you arrive, you’ll understand why. This small town hosts the area’s Autumn Glory Festival each October—an annual five-day celebration that launched in 1967. Oakland’s picturesque downtown sits just south of Swallow Falls State Park, home to crashing waterfalls and plenty of hiking trails where you can walk beneath a canopy of fall colors.

When to go: Late September to late October

Woodstock, New York

Woodstock may be best known for its association with the famed 1969 music festival (which actually was held 60 miles away in Bethel), but the town is also a perfect jumping-off point for fall adventures in the Catskills. Explore the hiking trails within the 700,000-acre Catskill Park, discover art against a backdrop of fall foliage at the Opus 40 sculpture park, or seek out the most epic views from the Shawangunk Mountains.

When to go: Late September to late October

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Known as the “gateway to the Smoky Mountains,” this eastern Tennessee town has numerous vantage points where you can marvel at the changing leaves. Among them are Gatlinburg SkyPark—home to North America’s longest pedestrian cable bridge—and the aerial tram to Ober Mountain. Downtown, the Anakeesta theme park offers an observation tower with 360-degree views of the treetops and hosts the annual Bear-Varian Fall Festival featuring carved pumpkins, craft beer, and Halloween-themed programming.

When to go: Early October to early November

Franconia, New Hampshire

Nestled in the White Mountains, Franconia offers an idyllic base for fall foliage adventures in New England. Drive along the Kancamagus Scenic Byway or head to Franconia Notch State Park, which boasts a few famous leaf-peeping hikes, including the Artists Bluff trail. Those looking to appreciate the colors from new heights can ride the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to its 4,080-foot summit.

When to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Banner Elk, North Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the North Carolina High Country, Banner Elk brims with leaf-gazing opportunities. The town’s colorful crown jewel is Grandfather Mountain State Park, where the region’s first hints of fall hues tend to appear. Explore 13 miles of trails or take in the treetop views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, which covers an 80-foot chasm and sits at an elevation of 5,305 feet.

When to go: Late September to late October

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Once a mining town, Jim Thorpe is now a haven for outdoor enthusiasts—especially in the fall, when the Pocono Mountains show off their best colors. Admire the fall foliage from the walking paths in Kemmerer Park, or visit the 6,000-acre Lehigh Gorge State Park for additional terrain. For a more relaxed outing, hop aboard the family-friendly Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. Traveling on an early 20th-century train, enjoy a narrated ride along the Lehigh River and into the state park, passing thickets of beautiful trees.

When to go: Mid-September to late October

Lake Placid, New York

It would be impossible to curate a list of autumnal destinations without including Lake Placid, a lakeside village in the Adirondack Mountains. Start your journey on the Olympic Trail Scenic Byway, which passes through town and is lined with maple, birch, aspen, oak, and beech trees that welcome visitors with a pop of color. After a proper introduction to the area, hop on the gondola at Whiteface Mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the colors, or rent a kayak and see the yellows, oranges, and reds from the water.

When to go: Late September to late October

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

West Virginia has some gorgeous fall foliage, and one of the best places to enjoy it is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which spans about 3,500 acres. The town of Harpers Ferry, which sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, serves as a convenient base for those eager to access the park’s 22 miles of hiking trails. And with the downtown district offering delightful bed-and-breakfasts and delicious dining, you can cap off each day with Southern hospitality.

When to go: Late September to late October

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is as prized for its quaint streets and waterfront location as it is for its access to Acadia National Park. It’s also one of Maine’s top leaf-peeping destinations, showcasing dramatic hues of orange, yellow, and red. You can hike Cadillac Mountain, visit the Cranberry Islands, or walk the Shore Path from the town pier among the stunning flora.

When to go: Mid-September to late October

Fish Creek, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s Door County has no shortage of beautiful lakeside towns, but Fish Creek stands out in the fall thanks to its easy access to the 3,776-acre Peninsula State Park. While there are lots of hiking trails to take in the red, gold, and yellow leaves, don’t miss the Eagle Tower observation deck (accessible by stairs or a ramp that winds through the forest), which offers views of the tree-lined coast.

When to go: Late September to mid-October

Munising, Michigan

Munising is a spectacular destination all year round, thanks to its eye-catching sandstone cliffs towering over Lake Superior. To take in the views, visit the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore—the colorful cliffs are arguably the most stunning in the fall when the shoreline is covered in reds, oranges, and yellows. Walk one of the lakeshore’s many trails, take a boat to Grand Island, or hike to Munising Falls for a blast of cool water paired with vibrant colors.

When to go: Mid-September to mid-October

Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic lives up to its enchanting name with idyllic B&Bs, restaurants housed in historical buildings, and dazzling fall foliage. A great way to take in the colors is on a scenic drive along the Mystic River or a hike in the nearby Pachaug State Forest. After all the leaf-peeping, cap off the day with some apple cider (and cider-flavored donuts) at seasonal B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill. 

When to go: Early October to early November

Port Townsend, Washington

From a waterfront location on the Olympic Peninsula near Olympic National Park to views of distant white-capped mountains, Port Townsend seems to have it all. And in autumn, stunning fall foliage comes into the mix. Walk along the bay, venture to Fort Worden Historical State Park, or make your way to the iconic Point Wilson Lighthouse and enjoy the vibrant colors along the way.

When to go: Mid-September to late October

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Built into the mountainside, the town of Eureka Springs is one of the best places to witness the legendary fall colors of the Ozarks. The Leatherwood Lake Loop and Kings River Overlook are a couple of popular nearby trails. But for a truly breathtaking panorama of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, there’s no better spot than Whitaker Point (or Hawksbill Crag), one of the most photographed viewpoints in Arkansas.

When to go: Mid-October to early November