The Best Fall Foliage in the USA: A Guide to Where to Go This Autumn

North Cascades, Washington

New England often takes the cake when it comes to fall foliage, but don’t write off the Pacific Northwest. One drive along the Cascade Loop will show that this craggy region has its own verdancy amid the snow dusted mountains. Often referred to as the American Alps, there are plenty of peaks and summits to see the leaves—such as the Washington Pass overlooking the Liberty Bell Mountain—while hiking trails like the Maple Pass Loop and Blue Lake offer some of the best opportunities for leaf-peeping.

Where to stay in North Cascades, Washington:

Laurel Hill, Pennsylvania

There are plenty of trails and state parks you can take advantage of to gaze at the Pennsylvania foliage. There’s Mount Davis, Ohiopyle State Park, Laurel Hill state park, and so much more. You really can’t go wrong with any of them. But we’d recommend conducting your leaf peeping from inside, specifically inside one of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most well-known works. Dubbed Fallingwater, this quintessentially mid-century modern structure sits atop a waterfall and is entirely ensconced in a forest of trees—making its airy interiors the ideal framing for the lush colors of fall.

Where to stay in Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania:

Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Rounding off the New England stops, this nature reserve is nestled in the middle of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. Here, you’ll find parts of the larger Appalachian Trail, as well as hikes up well-known peaks like Artist Bluff—which afford panoramic views of the area’s famous Echo Lake. The body of water sits at the base of Cannon Mountain and perfectly reflects the prism of color around it, even more so when those colors are the rich reds, golds, yellows, and oranges of fall.

Where to stay in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire:

Adirondack Mountains, NYGetty