15 Amazing Fall Color Hikes
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6. Rough Ridge trail
- Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 302.8 in North Carolina
- Average peak color: Late September-Early October
- My guide to leaf peeping at Rough Ridge
Rough Ridge is one of the best leaf peeping destinations on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For this easy trail, you will follow a boardwalk trail up to the Rough Ridge summit. At an elevation of 4773 feet, the views are stunning. From up here you will take in gorgeous vistas of Grandfather Mountain. Combine with a trip to Grandfather Mountain (one of NC’s most popular tourist attractions) to extend your day out.
There are many beautiful overlooks and hikes along this section of the Blue Ridge parkway. Don’t miss the Beacon Heights trail (MP 305.2) and Linville Falls (MP 316.4), one of the Parkway’s most outstanding waterfalls.
7. Chapman Falls
- Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park
- Average peak color: Mid-late October
- My guide to visiting Devil’s Hopyard
Devil’s Hopyard State Park is an amazing underrated park in the leaf peeping hotspot of East Haddam, CT. It’s a must-do for every fall lover out there. This is one of the best parks in the state for fall photography. The colorful foliage combined with a beautiful waterfall and covered bridge backdrop easily puts it on my “best of list” for photographers, nature lovers, & leaf peepers.
Devil’s Hopyard really is the quintessential New England fall hiking oasis. Surprisingly, the park does not get overly crowded, thus allowing you to fully soak in the beauty of the season in a more private way.
8. The Arizona Trail
- Location: Aspen Corner to Bismark Lake (Flagstaff, Arizona section)
- Average peak color: Early October
- Map of the Arizona trail
The Arizona Trail stretches on for a massive 800 miles through the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This trail travels through many different ecosystems, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the unique diversity of the Southwest. From the cacti studded Sonoran desert to the high pines of Flagstaff, you will see that the Southwest is much more than simply barren desert. One of the most scenic sections is accessed via Snowbowl Rd. You will drive 5.5 miles up this road to arrive at the stunning viewpoint. The drive is a great fall activity in and of itself.
This section of the trail is a lengthy strenuous 7 miles, however, you can simply turn back once you get your fill of leaf peeping. The altitude comes in at a whopping 8800 feet and continues to rise above 9000 in the course of the journey. While the hiking is tough at such a high elevation, this is hands down one of the best fall photo spots I’ve ever come across.
9. East Head Reservoir trail
- Location: Myles Standish State Forest
- Average peak color: Mid-late October
- My guide to exploring Myles Standish
Myles Standish is my favorite place to hike in Southeastern Massachusetts. With miles of trails traversing serene desolate wilderness, it’s the best place in the region to get lost in nature. It’s even worthy of the drive from Boston if you are seeking the ultimate in solitary recreation.
From Kettle ponds, to cranberry bogs, to one of the largest continuous pitch pine / scrub oak forests, it’s an interesting place for sure. While this park is beautiful all-year round with diverse seasonal changes, fall really is the standout time to visit. I loved training for my half marathon here: it’s so quiet, desolate, and beautiful.
Autumn is the perfect time take a stroll along the 2.5 mile long East Reservoir trail. While the forests consists mostly of pines, you will find there is no lack of leaf peeping this time of year.
10. Veit Springs
- Location: Snowbowl Rd in Flagstaff, Arizona
- Average peak color: Mid-late October
- My guide to hiking Veit Springs
Veit Springs is another Flagstaff fall stunner, this one located about halfway up Snowbowl Rd. Due to the hidden location, it sees very little traffic. Most tourists continue to the top of the road to enjoy the stunning mountain scenery. This hike is short, with little elevation gain, and thus, suitable for most hikers.
The mix of pines and aspens really lends to some amazing views come fall. The intermixing of the green pines and gold aspens truly is an awe-inspiring sight which you will not find in many other places.
