The Best Places to See Fall Colors in the USA

Follow Fall Across America

Fall doesn't arrive the same way everywhere. In Vermont, maples ignite in shades of crimson and orange. Across Colorado, aspens turn entire mountainsides gold. Farther west, autumn arrives among the lakes and forests of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades. If you're searching for the best fall colors in the USA, these are some of our favorite places to follow the season.

When to See Fall Colors

Timing is everything when planning a fall foliage trip. Colors typically begin changing first in higher-elevation and northern destinations before making their way south, although peak conditions can vary each year depending on temperatures and weather.

New England Reds: Vermont & Boston

Best time to visit: Late September–early October

Few places are more closely associated with fall than New England. Maple trees bring brilliant reds and oranges to mountain roads, historic towns and city parks, creating the classic autumn scenery many travelers picture when planning a foliage trip.

Stowe, Vermont

Surrounded by Vermont’s Green Mountains, Stowe puts you right in the middle of one of the country’s most recognizable fall landscapes. Forested hillsides turn shades of red, orange and gold while scenic roads wind through covered bridges, small towns and mountain valleys.

Spend the day hiking beneath changing leaves, take a drive through the surrounding countryside or simply explore Stowe Village as the season settles in. Outbound Stowe makes an easy home base for experiencing it all, with the mountains and town close at hand.

Boston, Massachusetts

Fall colors don’t always require a mountain escape. In Boston, autumn brings a different kind of scenery as tree-lined streets, historic neighborhoods and waterfront parks change with the season.

Walk beneath colorful canopies in Boston Common and the Public Garden, follow the Charles River Esplanade or spend a crisp afternoon wandering Beacon Hill before returning to the waterfront. Seaport Hotel puts you close to the city while offering an easy starting point for an urban New England fall getaway.

Mountains of Gold: Colorado & Wyoming

Best time to visit: Mid–late September

Fall in the Rocky Mountains trades New England’s fiery reds for something entirely different. Aspen groves turn brilliant yellow, creating ribbons of gold across mountainsides still covered in deep green evergreens.

Cooler temperatures and quieter trails make this one of the best times of year to experience Colorado and Wyoming before winter arrives.

Vail, Colorado

Vail fall foliage is all about the aspens. By September, hillsides surrounding the village begin to glow yellow and gold, turning familiar mountain trails into vibrant autumn escapes.

Take a scenic drive through the Vail Valley, where golden aspen groves brighten the mountain slopes and sunlight filters through the changing leaves. Explore the area’s trails on foot or by bike, following paths through quiet forests, open meadows and mountain overlooks framed by the season’s rich colors. For a different perspective, ride the gondola above the village and look out across the valley, where ribbons of gold stretch toward the surrounding peaks. Back in Vail Village, enjoy a relaxed meal, wander along the pedestrian paths and take in the crisp mountain air as autumn settles over the mountains.

For a stay close to the village and surrounding mountains, choose from Christiania at Vail, The Landmark or Austria Haus and make the most of Vail’s quieter fall season.

Snowmass, Colorado

Just outside Aspen, Snowmass offers broad mountain views and miles of trails surrounded by changing aspen groves. Fall brings cooler hiking weather and fewer summer crowds, leaving more space to enjoy the landscape at your own pace.

Set out along one of the area's mountain trails or take a scenic drive through the Roaring Fork Valley, where pockets of yellow aspens stand out against the surrounding peaks.

Stonebridge Inn places you in Snowmass Village with easy access to the trails and mountain scenery that make this part of Colorado especially memorable in fall.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

In Jackson Hole, changing aspens and cottonwoods sit beneath the dramatic peaks of the Tetons, giving fall a distinctly western backdrop.

Cool mornings are ideal for exploring nearby trails and scenic roads, while wildlife activity adds another reason to spend time outdoors. Drives through Grand Teton National Park reveal pockets of gold along riverbanks and beneath the mountains, making the journey itself part of the experience.

Back in Jackson, The Virginian Lodge offers a relaxed home base for exploring the valley before settling in for a cozy evening.

California Fall Colors: Lake Tahoe & Mammoth Lakes

Best time to visit: Early–late October

California may not be the first place that comes to mind for fall foliage, but head into the Sierra Nevada and the landscape tells a different story.

Golden aspens brighten alpine valleys and lakeshores throughout October, while crisp temperatures and lighter crowds create an ideal window for hiking, scenic drives and mountain weekends.

Lake Tahoe Fall Colors

The contrast is what makes Lake Tahoe fall colors so memorable. Golden aspens and cottonwoods frame deep blue water while the surrounding Sierra peaks rise above the lake.

Spend the day hiking or biking beneath changing leaves, explore the quieter mountain roads around North Lake Tahoe or simply find a lakeside viewpoint and take in the season. Fall also brings a calmer pace after summer, making it easier to experience Tahoe without the busiest crowds.

At Everline Resort & Spa, alpine scenery is just outside your door, providing an easy base for a few days of trails, mountain air and autumn color.

Mammoth Lakes Fall Foliage

Farther south, Mammoth Lakes fall foliage turns the Eastern Sierra into a patchwork of gold. Aspen groves gather around alpine lakes, mountain passes and winding roads, with different elevations changing at slightly different times throughout the season.

That makes Mammoth particularly rewarding for a fall road trip. Spend the morning following scenic roads through the mountains, stop at one of the area’s lakes or trailheads and watch the landscape change as you climb higher into the Sierra.

Outbound Mammoth keeps you close to the area’s outdoor experiences while offering a comfortable place to return to after a day chasing the colors.

Pacific Northwest Fall Colors

Best time to visit: Early–mid October

Autumn in the Pacific Northwest has a character all its own. Rather than endless hillsides of one color, changing deciduous trees are layered among evergreen forests, rivers and mountain landscapes.

The result is a mix of amber, gold and deep green that feels distinctly Pacific Northwest, particularly on cool mornings when mist settles between the trees.

Sunriver, Oregon

Central Oregon brings together golden aspens, pine forests and the open landscapes surrounding the Cascade Mountains.

In fall, cooler afternoons are made for bike rides, trail walks and time spent exploring the forests around Sunriver. Head toward nearby lakes and mountain viewpoints or enjoy a slower day closer to the resort as the trees shift into their autumn colors.

At Sunriver Resort, the season naturally lends itself to days outside followed by relaxed evenings back at the resort.

Cle Elum, Washington

On the eastern side of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, Cle Elum offers another take on Pacific Northwest fall colors. Forested hillsides change gradually throughout October, creating a mix of gold and evergreen around the rivers, trails and mountain roads.

Explore the surrounding Cascades by foot or car, spend a quiet morning near the water or simply enjoy the cooler temperatures and open scenery.

Set within this landscape, Suncadia Resort makes it easy to experience the changing season while keeping outdoor activities close by.

Choose Your Fall Colors

Crimson maples in Vermont. Golden aspens beneath the Rockies. Alpine lakes surrounded by changing leaves in California. Fall looks different everywhere, which means there is always another version of the season worth discovering.

Whether you're planning a foliage-filled road trip, a long mountain weekend or a quieter city escape, CoralTree destinations put you close to some of the country's most memorable autumn landscapes.

Choose your colors, find your destination and make fall the reason for your next getaway.

Plan Your Fall Getaway