At long last, the fall season has arrived! Now is the time to dig the winter coats out of the closet, pick up an RV rental and head off into the wild to enjoy a little cool-weather camping.
If you’re anything like our tribe of RV lovers, you plan your Autumn weekends around hunting down the best fall color views. In our humble opinion, there is no better place for leaf-peeping than in the many national parks scattered across the U.S. and Canada. Here are some of our favorite destinations for taking in the changing of the seasons.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is a kaleidoscope of color all year round. Various shades of red, brown, pink, salmon, gold and white are on constant display due to the Navajo sandstone that makes up the park. The changing of the leaves gives the park an extra splash of color, especially during the first two weeks of October.
Insider Tip: While you can see tons of great color from the Valley floor, we recommend taking in the bird’s-eye view from the top of Angel’s landing.
Photo Credit: Zion National Park
Acadia National Park, Maine
Maine is one of the best places in the country to catch fall colors and the state takes that honor very seriously. In fact, they come out with a weekly fall foliage report so you can know exactly when and where to catch the highlights.
Insider Tip: For some of the best Autumn vistas, we recommend taking a drive along the 27-mile scenic loop in Acadia National Park that begins at Hulls Cove Visitors Center.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Autumn is pure magic in Grand Teton National Park with its large stands of cottonwoods, aspens and willows. Be on the lookout for wildlife was well — It’s deer and elk mating season and they are en masse in the park, taking in the fall colors along with you!
Insider Tip: Head to Oxbow Bend – with the Snake River in the foreground and Mt. Moran behind, the yellow and oranges of fall sure pop!
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
In Banff National Park, spring and summer are dominated by the blues and greens of its crystalline lakes and evergreen trees, while winter is a whitewash of heavy snow. But for a brief, two-week period near the very end of September, Mother Nature sneaks in to crown the area with an unforgettable splash of color.
Insider Tip: Fall trees dot the mountains behind Lake Louise like multi-colored sprinkles on a Pop-Tart. It’s our favorite place in the park for taking in the season.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has an extraordinary variety of deciduous trees, including yellow birch, mountain maple, American beech and pin cherry. At the height of Autumn – usually mid to late October – visitors will see the full gambit of reds, oranges, yellows and even purples throughout the park.
Insider Tip: The best fall color drives include the Foothills Parkway, Blue Ridge Parkway and Clingmans Dome Road (the highest point in Tennessee).
#BeThereNow
Wherever you’re heading to get your fall color fix, let us take you there in a Cruise America RV rental. Tag @CruiseAmericaRV on Instagram with your best fall color pics for your chance to be featured on our social pages!