America’s Favorite National Parks to Visit This Fall

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sun October 25, 2026

Fall is one the most rewarding times to explore America’s national parks, when cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage and fewer crowds create ideal conditions for outdoor adventures.

I love visiting U.S. national parks, particularly during my favorite season of the year – fall. Autumn brings forests ablaze with color to rugged mountains dusted with the season’s first snowfall, and protected landscapes offer a spectacular showcase of nature’s beauty. Whether visitors come to hike scenic trails, spot wildlife preparing for winter, take a leisurely drive along winding roads or simply soak in the breathtaking scenery, these national parks provide unforgettable ways to embrace the magic of autumn. And they do so with much less crowds.

Research from airport transportation experts hoppa has revealed America’s most searched national parks with Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Zion topping the list. Study numbers represent the number of Google searches from July 2025-July 2026.

National Parks Family Journey: Yellowstone and Grand Teton

1. Yellowstone (5.5 million searches)

Topping the ranking is Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park. Covering parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone is famed for its geothermal landscape, including Old Faithful, colorful hot springs, and abundant wildlife such as bison and grizzly bears. Autumn offers a particularly spectacular time to visit, with September bringing fall color, the famous elk rut, and raptor migration.

2. Grand Canyon (6.1 million searches)

Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon comes in second place. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it’s known for its breathtaking viewpoints, scenic hiking trails, and dramatic landscapes. Fall brings near-perfect weather to the canyon, avoiding the extreme summer heat on the trails and freezing winter temperatures. While the South Rim features sparse autumn colors, the higher-elevation North Rim boasts stunning groves of golden aspens against the canyon backdrop before it closes for the season in mid-October.

3. Zion (5.8 million searches)

Zion National Park rounds out the top three as the national park in Utah is famous for its towering red cliffs and emerald pools. The crisp and comfortable fall weather also proves perfect for completing strenuous hikes such as Angels Landing or wading through the Narrows. In late October, visitors will be treated to a beautiful contrast as the bright green cottonwood trees lining the canyon floor turn golden yellow, and stargazing opportunities abound.

Glacier National Park, Collette, tours to Glacier National Park

4. Glacier (5.4 million searches)

Glacier National Park features a completely different experience of wintry peaks as fall foliage contrasts with the Utah national park’s rugged mountain peaks and turquoise lakes, and changing colors are a major attraction. There are fewer crowds, and opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer and mountain goats.

5. Yosemite (3.9 million searches)

Yosemite National Park in California is a spectacular destination in the fall, when cooler temperatures, brilliant red, orange and golden foliage and a much lower crowd base offer a distinctive perspective on one of America’s most iconic natural landscapes. While Yosemite is known for its towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and summer hiking adventures, autumn brings its own special appeal.

6. Mount Rainier (3.5 million searches)

The breathtaking autumn destination in Washington State features golden meadows, colorful forests, and the dramatic silhouette of a glacier-covered volcano creating an awe-inspiring seasonal landscape. As summer crowds begin to thin, the park's mountain scenery takes on a quieter, more peaceful character. Fall is a beautiful time to explore its lower-elevation trails, photograph autumn foliage, and watch the first dustings of snow transform Mount Rainier into a winter-like wonderland.

Olympic National Park and Forest, Washington

7. Olympic (2.3 million searches)

Unlike parks celebrated primarily for fall foliage, Olympic National Park also located in Washington State offers several distinct ecosystems in one destination: lush, emerald-green temperate rain forests, alpine mountains, deep blue freshwater lakes and a rugged Pacific coastline with crashing waves, sea stacks, driftwood and moody skies.

8. Bryce Canyon (1.9 million searches)

Sitting at an elevation of roughly 8,000 to more than 9,000 feet, Bryce Canyon in Utah produces a colorful contrast of golden aspen leaves and evergreen forests framing the national park’s red, orange and pink rock spires, known as hoodoos. Sunrise Point and Sunset Point provide unforgettable views as the changing light deepens the colors of the rock formations. Bryce is also an International Dark Sky Park, making clear autumn nights an amazing time to see a brilliant display of stars.

9. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (1.27 million searches)

Fall offers a fascinating opportunity to explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where active volcanic landscapes, lush rain forests, and dramatic coastal scenery create an experience unlike that of any other U.S. national park. Located on the Big Island, the park is home to two major volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. While many mainland parks welcome autumn with colorful foliage, this tropical destination invites visitors to discover a different kind of seasonal adventure, from walking across ancient lava flows to peering into enormous volcanic craters.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park eruption of Kilauea

10. Hot Springs (1.26 million searches)

Colorful foliage, historic bathhouses, natural thermal springs and scenic mountain trails provide a relaxing autumn getaway. Nestled in Arkansas’s Quachita Mountains, the charming destination offers a blend of outdoor adventure and old-fashioned spa-town atmosphere. Unlike national parks that focus primarily on dramatic wilderness, Hot Springs offers a chance to enjoy nature alongside a rich history of wellness and leisure.

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