As the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler, trees undergo an enchanting chemical process called chlorophyll breakdown. Every autumn, their leaves stop making food, which causes green pigments to fade as yellows, oranges, and reds emerge.
You can watch this seasonal shift happen in real time by joining the throngs of leaf peepers drawn to experience the most vibrant time of year out on miles and miles of hiking trails.
In this blog, we rounded up 50 of the best fall foliage hiking areas in every state, broken down by region. It was almost impossible to narrow our list down to one recommendation for each state, but we relied on the state parks known for their prime viewing of fall colors. So whether you’re staying in your home state or traveling across the country during autumn, don’t miss these top fall foliage hikes.
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Northeast
Connecticut
Catch views of the Catskill and Taconic mountains from the 6.5-mile Macedonia Ridge Trail in Macedonia Brook State Park, right on the western border of Connecticut.
Maine
Anywhere in northern Maine gets good color, but especially Camden Hills State Park, where you can hike to the top of Mt. Battie where you can catch fall colors and ocean views.
Massachusetts
Perfect for beginners and families, the 1-mile Health Heart Loop in Wompatuck State Park is on pavement but makes “you feel like you are deep in the woods.”
New Hampshire
Pick any trail in Franconia Notch State Park and you won’t be disappointed. The White Mountains are notoriously rugged, but you can also find easy rambling trails.
Rhode Island
The 627-acre Lincoln Woods State Park turns into quintessential New England fall. A brisk loop around Olney Pond will wake you right up.
Vermont
Named for a narrow passage through the Green Mountains, Smugglers’ Notch State Park offers easy access to hiking trails, like the Long Trail and Bingham Falls Trail.
New Jersey
The Riverside Trail in Hacklebarney State Park is one of the most popular walks through the forest and over a waterfall on a footbridge. Cool temps and lower humidity are a bonus.
New York
Fall is the best time to visit Letchworth State Park, where you can choose from 66 miles of trails that pass waterfalls and trees decorated in reds, oranges, and yellows.
Pennsylvania
Deemed a National Natural Landmark, Ricketts Glen State Park features 26 miles of colorful trails, including the 7-mile Falls Trail past 21 waterfalls. You heard that right!
Midwest
Illinois
Voted a top attraction in the state, Starved Rock State Park has 13 miles of trails and 18 canyons to explore—each offering a different perspective of the park.
Indiana
Brown County State Park is so picturesque in autumn that it ranked third in a study of the U.S.’s best destinations for fall foliage. Head to Trail 7 around Ogle Lake to see every color there is.
Iowa
Don’t write off Ledges State Park because it only has four miles of hiking trails. They lead to a panoramic viewing spot of Pea’s Creek canyon with 100-foot sandstone ledges towering over the Des Moines River.
Kansas
Tucked in a canyon in the western Kansas prairie, Lake Scott State Park teems with history. Trek the 2.9-mile Lake Scott West Loop and don’t forget to stop to enjoy the scenery.
Michigan
After ascending rolling hills, you’re rewarded with an overlook of the AuSable River at Hartwick Pines State Park. Stop by the logging museum for a few extra worthwhile steps.
Minnesota
Even just the name Maplewood State Park sounds like a cozy place to be in the fall. The half-mile hike to Hallaway Hill Overlook offers views of Lake Lida and a fall foliage color explosion.
Missouri
Venture through a sinkhole and under a natural bridge at Ha Ha Tonka State Park, located in the Lake of the Ozarks, where leaves burst against the geological formations.
Nebraska
Maple trees turn fiery in western Nebraska’s Chadron State Park. The Blackhills Overlook Trail is one of the most popular for views of the surrounding ridges and trees.
North Dakota
At the southern end of the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway you’ll find Fort Ransom State Park, where forested hills turn golden in autumn.
Ohio
A family favorite, Hocking Hills State Park is located in southeastern Ohio. Hemlocks provide shade and vibrant colors, while waterfalls and cliffs further boost the wow factor.
South Dakota
Some of the trails in Custer State Park—from the 1-mile Badger Clark Historic Trail to the 111-mile Centennial Trail—were left behind by early pioneers, ranchers, and loggers.
Wisconsin
A 360-acre lake and 500-foot quartzite bluffs sum up the landscape of Devil’s Lake State Park. The 29 miles of trails offer easy paved walks to rocky treacherous ascents.
South
Alabama
Cheaha State Park is home to Alabama’s tallest natural point, Cheaha Mountain, which also happens to be located on the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountain range.
Arkansas
Waterfalls and leaf peeping? Get a birds-eye-view of the changing colors at Petit Jean State Park in Central Arkansas. The 2.9-mile canyon trail is a favorite.
Delaware
Popular for birding and wildlife photography, White Clay Creek State Park is full of hiking loops of all distances—like the 7.6-mile Whitely Farms Trail or the 3.5-mile Chestnut Hill Trail.
Florida
Sourwood, sweetgum, and Southern sugar maple trees burst with fall colors in Torreya State Park, which also protects the rare Torreya tree that grows along the Apalachicola River.
Georgia
An hour north of Atlanta, Amicalola Falls State Park has the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall—plus it’s only 8 miles from the famed Appalachian Trail.
Kentucky
With a 125-foot curtain of falling water, framed by a tide of changing trees and 17 miles of trails, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is one of the state’s most sought-after attractions.
Louisiana
Chemin-A-Haut State Park features magical cypress trees along the water. The easily-marked Bobcat Trail and the Boy Scout Trail wind through the forests—or you can rent a boat.
Maryland
In the Catoctin Mountains, Cunningham Falls State Park has five easy trails ranging in lengths from a half-mile to two miles. Can you differentiate between the dogwoods, poplars, and oaks?
Mississippi
Bring your fishing rod to Natchez State Park, known for its bass fishing and display of fall colors. Visit for the day or book a spot in the campground.
North Carolina
Eno River State Park’s hiking highlights include the Cox Mountain Trail, Holden’s Mill Trail, and Cole Mill Trail. Bonus: No fees for day use.
Oklahoma
Just as the name promises, Beavers Bend State Park is, in fact, home to beavers. The 1.1-mile South Park stays on level ground, while the 8.6-mile Skyline Trails climbs to a waterfall.
South Carolina
Table Rock State Park gets its name from the iconic rockface staring over the dense forests of the Blue Ridge Escarpment region. As you can imagine, the trees are stunning in autumn.
Tennessee
As one of Tennessee’s largest and most-visited state parks, Fall Creek Falls State Park is nature’s finest. Over 56 miles of trails offer something for everyone.
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Texas
In Hill Country, Garner State Park’s tree varieties include cypress, oak, mesquite, and persimmon—which you can admire along 11 miles of trails throughout the park.
Virginia
Virginia State Parks takes leaf peeping seriously. So seriously that they dedicated a whole blog post to peak periods and regions—plus 40 state parks including one called Fairy Stone State Park.
West Virginia
East of the New River Gorge, Babcock State Park is famous for its Glade Creek Grist Mill, a functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill. Pass it on the easy Island-In-The-Sky Trail.
West
Alaska
Located just outside of Anchorage, Chugach State Park has 16 trailheads and nearly 300 miles of trails. Go in late September for the best fall colors.
Arizona
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park protects the world’s largest travertine bridge. The oak, aspen, cottonwood, and elder trees frame this park near Payson with fall colors.
California
Lauded as having the best fall foliage in Tahoe, Ed Z’berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park’s trees contrast against the lake’s deep blue. The General Creek Trail is a 6.5-mile loop with views of it.
Colorado
Anywhere in Staunton State Park, 45 minutes from Denver, will get you close to the shimmering aspens. Wander the Mason Creek Trail, an 8.4-mile out-and-back, for as long as you wish.
Hawaii
Yes, even the Aloha state gets fall foliage. Akaka Falls State Park on the big island showcases unlikely fall colors of the blooming bougainvillea and hibiscus along its rainforest trails.
Idaho
Three Island Crossing State Park in Glenns Ferry is worth a day trip to see the mature trees and shrubs shedding their green for gold, but also to learn about the history of the Oregon Trail.
Montana
Glacier National Park is always a good bet, but for an off-the-beaten-path discovery, Sluice Boxes State Park glows gold and auburn around the Belt Creek.
Nevada
The state isn’t all desert. Halfway between Las Vegas and Great Basin National Park, Kershaw-Ryan State Park lights up in autumn. Even the sagebrush sheds its green.
New Mexico
Near Santa Fe, Hyde Memorial State Park offers hiking and snowshoeing in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forests. Book a site at the campground for a longer stay.
Oregon
Silver Falls State Park is one of Oregon’s most beautiful parks. A moderate 7.2 miles takes you past a series of waterfalls, and the 1-mile North Rim route is accessible to wheels.
Utah
You don’t have to summit a mountain (unless you want to) to enjoy the beauty of Wasatch Mountain State Park. The park has three campground loops and plenty of leafy trails.
Washington
Leaf peeping is called “larch marching” in the Pacific Northwest. Catch the craze at Lake Easton State Park, where the Palouse to Cascades Trail gets you close to the trees.
Wyoming
Along I-80 near Evanston, Bear River State Park makes for a convenient road trip spot. White bison and a herd of elk roam there, unaware of the changing leaves.
Can you imagine if we’d rounded up more than one state park for every state?! This blog would be longer than the dictionary. Use this lengthy list to help you plan your next road trip, and don’t forget to bookmark it for future reference. Rent an RV to start the journey.
