The Best National Parks for Seeing Spectacular Fall Foliage This Year

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Mon September 16, 2024

As autumn starts to settle over the U.S., plenty of leaf-peepers are eagerly awaiting the annual show of Mother Nature’s splendor—that is, leaves turning to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. But, understanding precisely where and when this phenomenon will reach its peak vibrancy in various areas of the country takes more than just guesswork.

For those keen to witness the trees' colorful transformation, national parks are always popular because where better to view the changing of the seasons than places where forests are preserved and protected? However, some types of trees have more potential for picturesque pigmentation than others, just as some parks provide better access to areas where the kaleidoscopic effect is on display.

Which is why onX, which offers digital maps and other resources for outdoor enthusiasts via a suite of apps, recently analyzed its data to determine which national parks will probably prove the best for brilliant fall foliage this year.

According to Frommer’s, the company applied its Hunt app's "Deciduous Tree Layer" filter to pinpoint parks with the highest density of trees renowned for their vivid autumn hues, including oaks, maples, hickory and birches. By combining this data with trail mileage information, its analysts curated a list of nine parks where visitors stand the best chance of seeing vast amounts of spectacular foliage this fall.

And, in terms of getting the trip timing right, data compilers also leaned on satellite imagery from 2023 to determine when each of these parks attained peak color last year, providing valuable insights on how to plan for your autumn outings this year. Of course, the radiance of autumn leafage can be affected by another crucial factor: weather. So, you may want to take into account meteorologists’ forecasts about where fall foliage is likely to be at its best.

Here’s a look at the top national parks for fall foliage, according to onX:

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Trail miles: 1,025

Tree types: oak, maple, beech, hickory, birch

2023 peak fall dates: October 16–30

2. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Trail miles: 664

Tree types: oak, maple, birch, ash

2023 peak fall dates: October 16–30

3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Trail miles: 311

Tree types: hickory, maple, beech, aspen