Top 3 National Parks to Visit in America During the Fall
The fall season is a beautiful time to visit National Parks across America boasting crisp air, vibrant foliage, and abundant wildlife. And what better way to experience the best of fall than by visiting one of our many national parks? Below we'll talk about some of the best national parks to visit this fall! Whether you enjoy wildlife, meeting other like-minded explorers or camping, this list will help you plan your fall travels.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, and for good reason. With its stunning mountain scenery, diverse wildlife, and abundance of hiking trails, there's something for everyone at the Great Smokies.
In the fall, the Great Smoky Mountains come alive with color. The park's deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating a truly breathtaking sight. Visitors can enjoy the fall foliage from scenic overlooks, hiking trails, or even from the comfort of their own car on the Cades Cove Loop Road.
In addition to its fall foliage, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also home to a variety of popular fall festivals. The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park Harvest Festival, the Cherokee Harvest Festival, and the Smoky Mountain Festival of Arts and Crafts are just a few of the many festivals that take place in the area during the fall season.
How to get there: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The nearest major airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is about an hour's drive from the park.
Popular things to do: Hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, scenic drives, fall foliage viewing, visiting fall festivals
Average number of visitors in the fall: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, and it receives over 10 million visitors each year.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is another popular national park to visit during the fall. The park is home to towering mountain peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in Rocky Mountain National Park, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
In the fall, the Rocky Mountains come alive with color. The park's aspen trees turn brilliant shades of yellow and gold, contrasting beautifully with the evergreen pines and firs. Visitors can enjoy the fall foliage from scenic overlooks, hiking trails, or even from the comfort of their own car on Trail Ridge Road.
Rocky Mountain National Park is also home to a variety of popular wildlife. Visitors may be able to spot elk, deer, moose, and even bears in the park during the fall season.
How to get there: Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado, about an hour's drive from Denver. The nearest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN).
Popular things to do: Hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, scenic drives, fall foliage viewing, wildlife viewing
Average number of visitors in the fall: Rocky Mountain National Park is a popular national park to visit and fall is the busiest season for tourists. Ensure you have lodging arranged if you plan on staying overnight.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine and is known for its stunning scenery, including rocky cliffs, crashing waves, and towering mountains. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in Acadia National Park, including hiking, camping, biking, and kayaking.
In the fall, Acadia National Park comes alive with color. The park's deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow, contrasting beautifully with the blue ocean and green pines. Visitors can enjoy the fall foliage from scenic overlooks, hiking trails, or even from the comfort of their own car on Park Loop Road.
Acadia National Park is also home to a variety of popular fall festivals. The Acadia Harvest Festival and the Bar Harbor Seafood Festival are just a few of the many festivals that take place in the area during the fall season.
How to get there: Acadia National Park is located on the coast of Maine, about a three-hour drive from Boston, Massachusetts. The nearest major airport is Bangor International Airport (BGR).
Popular things to do: Hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, canoeing, scenic drives, fall foliage viewing, visiting fall festivals
Average number of visitors in the fall: Acadia National Park is a popular national park to visit year-round, but the fall season is one of the busiest times of year. It's important to plan your trip ahead of time and book your lodging in advance.
So Where Will You Go?
Visiting a national park in the fall is a truly unforgettable experience. If you're planning a fall vacation, be sure to consider visiting one of the top three national parks listed above.
To learn more about these national parks and plan your trip, please visit the following websites:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
Rocky Mountain National Park: https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
Acadia National Park: https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
No matter which national park you choose to visit, be sure to pack your Lake&Lure gear, comfortable shoes, and a camera to capture all of your memories. And most importantly, clean up after yourselves! Our national parks are important treasures that we all have a duty to keep clean.
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