US Hotels and Resorts Great for Fall Travel Leaf-Peeping

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Tue September 12, 2023

With the Labor Day holiday now behind us, the year’s peak period for warm-weather travel has passed. Summer is winding down and, although the autumnal equinox doesn’t actually arrive until September 23, many fall fanatics cannot wait for crisper weather to roll in and the harvest season festivities to start. Some autumn enthusiasts will start amassing all things pumpkin spice, putting together the perfect Halloween costume or crafting Thanksgiving-themed decorations.

But, for all, the annual changing of the leaves from their summer green into hues of yellow, orange and red is a key element of the seasonal experience. There are even those who will travel far from home in pursuit of the places with the most vivid transformation of trees into a rich, multicolored tapestry woven by Mother Nature herself. For Americans seeking some ideal locations in which to soak up the polychromatic fall spectacle, we’ve compiled a list of U.S. hotel properties that are perfectly suited to the purpose.

Desolation Hotel Hope Valley – Hope Valley, California

The year-round destination of Hope Valley is located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas, just south of Lake Tahoe. Owned and operated by outdoor enthusiasts, Desolation Hotel Hope Valley truly immerses guests in 165 acres of unspoiled meadowland. The Northern California resort offers a homely and authentic experience that’s also filled with simple luxuries, including incredible views of the changing fall foliage. In autumn, the lush meadows turn into enchanting copper-hued fields, while golden and orange leaves surround its expansive campgrounds and rustic riverfront cabins. Guests can enjoy a wood-fired sauna, outdoor firepits, and an abundance of outdoor activities thanks to a trail system fit for hiking and mountain biking, the sparkling river and nearby ponds that in which to go swimming and fishing.

Big Cedar Lodge – Ridgedale, Missouri

A remote haven of natural beauty spanning more than 4,600 acres, Ridgedale is tucked into the rugged landscape of Missouri’s celebrated Ozark Mountains. Premier wilderness resort Big Cedar Lodge offers a serene, secluded lakeside getaway with world-class accommodations, spectacular views over Table Rock Lake, a rustically luxurious aesthetic and tons of opportunity for outdoor adventures. A place where conservation and preservation of nature’s splendor are paramount, this is one of America’s most picturesque places to watch the changing of the seasons. And, from September 18 – October 31, the resort hosts Cedar Fest, a fall celebration filled with autumnal activities like pumpkin decorating, wreath making, a “turkey shootout”, trick-or-treat, trot, a haunted maze and much more.

Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa – Saratoga Springs, New York

Located in upstate New York, the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa is ideally situated for leaf-peeping, being between the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain Ranges. Guests enjoy the hotel’s timeless elegance, historic charm, classic hospitality, and the serenity of its idyllic setting within Saratoga Spa State Park. In autumn, visitors are treated to symphony of vibrant seasonal hues as the surrounding trees transform into cloaks of reds, oranges and golds. A favorite fall pastime are brisk walks along the leaf-lined pathways that wind their ways through the property.

Hotel Terra Jackson Hole – Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Steps away from two of America’s most treasured national parks—Grand Teton and Yellowstone—Hotel Terra Jackson Hole offers the best boutique luxury experience in all of Jackson Hole. The award-winning mountainside retreat comes complete with modern conveniences and upscale amenities, and stylishly furnished accommodations with huge windows for unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty. Guests can absorb autumn’s enchantment with awe-inspiring views of the sprawling valley and stunning mountain vistas blanketed in picture-perfect fall foliage. Autumn itineraries are filled with endless outdoor activities perfect for putting together an unforgettable fall alpine adventure.

Peaks of Otter Lodge – Bedford, Virginia

Nestled in the Appalachian woods of western Virginia and overlooking Abbott Lake, Peaks of Otter Lodge is an enchanting retreat surrounded by the iconic "Peaks of Otter" mountains and forested scenery that renowned for its multicolored beauty during the autumn months. With easy access to trails, guests seeking to immerse themselves in the captivating beauty of the Virginia Highlands can go on guided hikes or engage in independent exploration. Those who want to witness nature's seasonal wonders from a car window can opt for scenic drives along the celebrated Blue Ridge Parkway nearby, America's longest linear park that’s famous for its sweeping mountain vistas.

Pine Lodge at Whitefish River – Whitefish, Montana

Pine Lodge at Whitefish River is situated in scenic Flathead Valley, Montana—a state that’s known for its vast stretches of unspoiled natural landscapes. Pine Lodge itself is surrounded by majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and the serene Whitefish River. Its location offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, with activities on the water like fishing, swimming, kayaking and whitewater rafting; plus 36 miles of trails, available to explore by hiking, mountain or horseback riding, and. Then there’s its proximity to Glacier National Park, a top hiking and wildlife-watching destination that encompasses 700 miles of trails and rugged wilderness for guests to explore. In this virgin forests, nature unveils its most remarkable and awe-inspiring autumn displays. And, on weekends from late September through early October, visitors can embrace spirit of the harvest season with German-inspired festivities during the Great Northwest Oktoberfest in Whitefish.

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Saratoga Arms Hotel – Saratoga Springs, New York

Scenic Saratoga Springs in upstate New York is a destination best known for its horse-racing legacy and natural mineral springs, which have drawn visitors for centuries. This city with small-town charm offers abundant leaf-peeping opportunities, with the peak period for vibrant fall foliage historically happening from mid- to late-October. The historic boutique Saratoga Arms Hotel sits in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs along a tree-lined street, putting it right in the center ofthe autumn action. Originally built in 1870, the Saratoga Arms is a classic Second Empire-style building that simply effuses Old-World charm, where guests can soak in spectacular seasonal views right from the hotel’s beautiful wraparound Saratoga porch. The property also provides easy access by foot or bicycle to some of the city’s best parks and trails, as well as local shops, restaurants and bars, galleries, museums and more.

Tenaya at Yosemite – Fishcamp, California

Guests staying at premiere eco-resort Tenaya at Yosemite enjoy unrivalled access to Northern California's Yosemite National Park and Sierra National Forest, where autumn offers smaller crowds and crisper temperatures. Guests enjoy captivating views of nature’s seasonal splendor right from the AAA Four Diamond-awarded property, or can gaze at the vibrant fall foliage while exploring a network of scenic trails that lead right from the resort through remote alpine woods and alongside cascading waterfalls. convenient e-bike and mountain bike rentals stand ready to carry guests along the colorful trails of Sierra National Forest. And, thanks to increased fish activity, anglers stand a greater chance of landing successful catches in Yosemite's pristine lakes and rivers than during the busy summer months. At night, guests can gaze up at a clear night sky filled with thousands of celestial bodies, thanks to the season's dryer weather and and the resort’s remote location that’s free from light pollution.

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa – Denver, Colorado

Affectionately known as the “Grand Dame of Denver”, The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is a historic boutique hotel that's centrally located in the heart of the downtown area. Dating back to 1892, it’s an iconic landmark that’s certainly the Mile High City’s most elegant. The luxuriously charming hotel blends historic heritage with modern amenities and features six on-site food and beverage venues, including the fine-dining restaurant Palace Arms, where guests can enjoy a seasonal menu of signature fall favorites. Colorado’s capital boasts one of the longest periods for stunning fall foliage of any city in the country, with aspen trees that positively glow golden in the autumn., these quintessentially Coloradan tree turn gold at higher elevations starting in mid-September, while down in the mountain foothills and plains spectacular color can be seen from October to mid-November.

The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa – Manchester Village, Vermont

There’s arguably no better region than New England for absolutely breathtaking fall foliage. With forests blanketing its Green Mountains and the highest percentage of vibrant maple trees to be found anywhere, Vermont offers the perfect destination for experiencing the explosion of color that comes with the turning of the leaves. Tucked within the tranquil setting of Manchester Village, The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa seamlessly combines the allure of a 200-year history with luxurious modern comforts and offers everything from exhilarating outdoor adventures to sublime moments of relaxation. Fall activities here include boating, fly-fishing, golfing, off-roading excursions and exploring the Equinox Preserve and Pond, which comprises almost 1,000 acres of protected land and 11 miles of maintained trails.

The Hythe Vail, a Luxury Collection Resort – Vail, Colorado

Nestled in heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains, The Hythe Vail is the Coloradan skiing mecca’s newest luxury property and an ideal gateway to Vail’s most sought-after experiences. Guests can readily absorb the destination’s dazzling autumn leaf displays through views from their luxurious resort accommodations, each of which boats a private balcony or terrace. Or, venture out into the cool, crisp mountain air to enjoy any number of outdoor excursions, from hiking, mountain biking and foraging on foot to fly-fishing, rock climbing and horseback riding. You might soak in panoramic views from above on a relaxing gondola ride or take in the tapestry of red, orange and yellow fall colors from your vehicle on a drive along the Top of the Rockies scenic byway, Forest Road on Vail Mountain, up to Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch or down into the Arrowhead or Mountain Star neighborhood.

The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail, Colorado

The Foundry Hotel – Asheville, North Carolina

A stylish restoration of Asheville's historic steel foundry, The Foundry Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of The Block neighborhood—the city’s oldest African American business district. Tucked into the celebrated Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a thriving mountain city known for having the longest autumn season in the U.S. and arguably the country’s most spectacular fall foliage. Fall colors start to appear at higher elevations in late September, descending down the mountainsides into the valleys and foothills through early November. The city even maintains a fall foliage schedule and color map to aid leaf-peepers in their pursuit of peak red, yellow and orange hues, as well as drive guides to help visitors identify the season’s most scenic roadways.