Fall Colors

Kootenai National Forest, Montana: Drive the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway to witness golden western larches glowing before they shed their needles. Cottonwoods line the riverbanks with soft yellow hues, and the forest’s location within the Crown of the Continent ecosystem offers dramatic mountain views.

Flathead National Forest, Montana: Bordering Glacier National Park, this forest features alpine lakes and valleys framed by quaking aspens, cottonwoods, and larches, with evergreen ridgelines adding depth to the color.

Lolo National Forest, Montana: Near Missoula, explore the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Rock Creek Canyon, where golden aspens and larches contrast with dense stands of Douglas-fir and spruce.

Bitterroot National Forest, Montana and Idaho: The Bitterroot Valley and Lost Horse Canyon offer quiet trails through glowing groves of aspen, birch, and cottonwood, backed by granite peaks and conifer forests.

Western larch – golden needles in late fall, unique among conifers

Quaking aspen – bright yellow leaves that shimmer in the breeze

Cottonwood – soft yellow foliage along rivers and lowlands

Birch – pale gold leaves in moist, shaded areas

Douglas-fir and spruce – evergreen contrast to deciduous color 

White River National Forest, Colorado: Home to the famed Maroon Bells, this forest showcases vast groves of quaking aspens that turn brilliant gold in late September. Their fluttering leaves and white bark create a luminous contrast against rugged alpine terrain.

San Juan National Forest, Colorado: The Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton is one of the most scenic fall drives in the country, with golden aspens blanketing steep slopes and deep canyons.

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, Colorado: Near Denver and Boulder, explore Brainard Lake, Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, and Guanella Pass, where aspens, Gambel oak, and cottonwoods light up the foothills and alpine basins.

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota and Wyoming: The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway offers dramatic fall color from maples, birch, and oak, set against towering limestone cliffs and waterfalls.

Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Wyoming and Colorado: The Snowy Range Scenic Byway and Steamboat Springs area feature golden aspens, willows, and cottonwoods, with sweeping views of high mountain meadows.

Quaking aspen – golden leaves that shimmer in the breeze

Gambel oak – rusty red and orange in foothills and dry slopes

Rocky Mountain and boxelder maple – red and orange in canyons and riparian zones

Cottonwood – soft yellow along rivers and floodplains

Birch and willow – golden tones in moist areas

Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and spruce – evergreen contrast across elevations 

Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico: The Aspen Vista Trail near Ski Santa Fe is one of the region’s most iconic fall hikes, with golden aspens glowing across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Jemez Mountains also offer colorful drives through mixed conifer and hardwood forests.

Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico: Explore the Sunspot Scenic Byway and Cloudcroft area, where high-elevation groves of aspens, maples, and oakbrush light up the Sacramento Mountains.

Coconino National Forest, Arizona: Near Flagstaff, the Snowbowl Road and Inner Basin Trail in the San Francisco Peaks showcase brilliant aspen color framed by volcanic ridgelines and ponderosa pine.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Arizona and New Mexico: The White Mountains offer expansive views of golden aspens, cottonwoods, and willows, especially around Big Lake and Hannagan Meadow.

Gila National Forest, New Mexico: Remote and rugged, this forest features fall color along the Gila River, with cottonwoods, sycamores, and maples adding warmth to canyon landscapes.

Quaking aspen – golden groves at high elevations

Bigtooth maple and Rocky Mountain maple – vibrant red and orange in canyons

Cottonwood – yellow foliage along rivers and floodplains

Oakbrush and Gambel oak – rusty reds and browns

Sycamore and willow – soft gold in riparian zones

Ponderosa pine & Douglas-fir – evergreen contrast across elevations 

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah: Explore Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Mirror Lake Highway, and Mount Nebo Loop, where bigtooth maples, quaking aspens, and cottonwoods ignite the slopes in red, orange, and gold.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho and Wyoming: Near Teton Valley and Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, fall brings golden aspens, cottonwoods, and colorful shrubs set against volcanic cliffs and conifer forests.

Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho: The Sawtooth Scenic Byway and Stanley Basin offer dramatic views of golden aspens and willows, framed by jagged peaks and alpine lakes.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Utah: The largest national forest outside Alaska, it spans vast high desert and mountain terrain. Fall color appears in cottonwoods, mountain mahogany, and aspens, especially in the Spring Mountains and Ruby Mountains.

Dixie National Forest, Utah: Near Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks, this forest features glowing maples, aspens, and oakbrush along scenic drives like Highway 14 and Brian Head Peak.

Fishlake National Forest, Utah: The largest aspen clone, known as Pando, is a site any time of the year. Pando is a single male quaking aspen organism that covers about 106 acres and weighs an estimated 13 million pounds, considered the largest and heaviest known living organism. While you do visible see the connecting roots, 

Bigtooth maple – brilliant red and orange in canyons and foothills

Quaking aspen – golden groves at mid to high elevations

Cottonwood – yellow foliage along rivers and valleys

Willow and alder – soft gold in riparian zones

Oakbrush and mountain mahogany – rusty reds and browns

Pine, fir, and spruce – evergreen contrast across elevations

Sierra National Forest: Near Yosemite National Park, this forest features glowing aspens, black oaks, and dogwoods along Kaiser Pass and around Huntington Lake, framed by granite peaks and alpine lakes.

Inyo National Forest: In the Eastern Sierra, the June Lake Loop and Bishop Creek Canyon are iconic fall destinations. Groves of quaking aspens turn brilliant gold, contrasting with rugged terrain and early snowcaps.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest: Northern California’s volcanic landscape offers colorful hikes around Castle Lake, the McCloud River, and Lake Siskiyou, with vibrant displays from bigleaf maples, canyon live oaks, and dogwoods.

Lassen National Forest: Near Lassen Volcanic National Park, fall color appears in aspen groves, willows, and mountain alder, especially around Hat Creek Rim and Lake Almanor.

Los Padres National Forest: Along the Central Coast, explore Big Sur, Ventana Wilderness, and Santa Barbara backcountry, where valley oaks, sycamores, and maples light up canyons and ridgelines.

Angeles National Forest: Just outside Los Angeles, high-elevation trails near Mount Baldy and San Gabriel Canyon offer bursts of fall color from maples, oaks, and cottonwoods.

Quaking aspen – golden groves in high elevations

Bigleaf maple – large yellow leaves in moist forests

Black oak and canyon live oak – orange and russet tones

Dogwood – pink to red foliage in shaded areas

Sycamore and cottonwood – yellow along rivers and canyons

Willow and alder – soft gold in riparian zones

Pine, fir, and cedar – evergreen contrast across elevations 

Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon: Explore the Hood River Valley and Timberline Trail, where vine maples and bigleaf maples blaze in red, orange, and yellow beneath the towering summit of Mt. Hood.

Willamette National Forest, Oregon: The McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway and Proxy Falls offer lush, mossy trails framed by colorful maples and golden underbrush.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington: Near Mount Adams and the Wind River area, fall brings golden western larches and vibrant vine maples, set against deep green conifers and volcanic terrain.

Olympic National Forest, Washington: Bordering Olympic National Park, this forest features maples, alders, and cottonwoods glowing in river valleys and foothills, especially along the Quinault River and Hood Canal.

Deschutes National Forest, Oregon: Near Bend, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway offers high-elevation views of aspens, larches, and colorful shrubs set against volcanic peaks.

Vine maple – fiery red and orange, especially in understory and canyon areas

Bigleaf maple – large golden leaves that light up forest floors

Western larch – deciduous conifer with golden needles in late fall

Cottonwood and alder – yellow foliage along rivers and wetlands

Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and cedar – evergreen contrast to fall color

Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, North Carolina: The Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Gardens, and Linville Gorge showcase fiery displays of sugar maples, red maples, and hickories, framed by sweeping mountain views.

George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Virginia: Explore Mount Rogers, Douthat State Park, and Whitetop Mountain, where maples, poplars, and oaks light up the highlands in mid to late October.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas: The Scenic 7 Byway, Whitaker Point, and Mount Magazine offer dramatic fall color from black gum, sweetgum, and southern red oak, set against rugged cliffs and river valleys.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia: Leaf peepers flock to Brasstown Bald, Tallulah Gorge, and Anna Ruby Falls for golden hickories, scarlet oaks, and tulip poplars.

Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky: The Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Resort Park feature brilliant foliage from maples, beech, and sycamore, with sandstone arches and cliffs adding to the drama.

Sugar maple and red maple – vibrant reds and oranges

Hickory & oak (white, red, scarlet) – golden and russet tones

Tulip poplar – bright yellow

Sweetgum and black gum – deep red and purple

American beech – soft bronze

Eastern hemlock and pine – evergreen contrast 

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine: The Kancamagus Highway is one of the most celebrated fall drives in the country, with sweeping views of sugar maples, birch, and beeches lighting up the slopes of the Presidential Range.

Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont: Explore Route 100, Camel’s Hump, and Mount Equinox, where fiery red maples, golden birch, and bronze beech create a quintessential New England autumn.

Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania: The Longhouse Scenic Byway and Kinzua Bridge State Park offer dramatic views of oak, maple, and cherry trees in full color, set against rolling hills and river valleys.

Superior National Forest, Minnesota: Paddle through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or drive the Gunflint Trail, where birch, aspen, and tamarack turn golden alongside deep green conifers.

Huron-Manistee National Forests, Michigan: Near Lake Michigan, explore M-22 Scenic Drive and Nordhouse Dunes, where maples, oaks, and poplars create a vivid shoreline contrast.

Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri: The Ozark Highlands Trail and Glade Top Trail showcase fall color from hickories, oaks, and sassafras, with panoramic views of the Ozark Plateau.

Sugar maple and red maple – brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows

Birch & beech – soft gold and bronze tones

Oak (white, red, black) – russet, brown, and deep red

Aspen and poplar – bright yellow in northern forests

Tamarack (larch) – golden needles in late fall

Cherry, basswood, and sassafras – varied hues from yellow to purple

Spruce, fir, and pine – evergreen contrast across the region

Tongass National Forest: Covering nearly 17 million acres across Southeast Alaska, Tongass is the largest national forest in the country. Fall color appears in cottonwoods, alders, and willows, especially around Mendenhall Glacier, Haines Highway, and the Stikine River Valley. The contrast between golden foliage and deep green Sitka spruce and western hemlock creates a dramatic coastal mosaic.

Chugach National Forest: Spanning 5.4 million acres from Prince William Sound to the Kenai Peninsula, Chugach offers vivid fall color along the Seward Highway, Portage Valley, and Turnagain Arm. Birch, aspen, and cottonwood trees turn brilliant yellow, while tundra shrubs and alpine plants add reds and oranges to the landscape.

Birch – bright yellow in upland forests

Aspen – golden groves in interior and mid-elevation zones

Cottonwood – soft yellow along rivers and floodplains

Alder and willow – golden and rust tones in riparian areas

Tundra shrubs (blueberry, dwarf birch, Labrador tea) – red, orange, and burgundy hues

Sitka spruce and western hemlock – evergreen contrast in coastal rainforests