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11 National Parks Overflowing With Fall Beauty That You Need To See In October
October is hands down one of the best times of the year to explore national parks. The crowds have thinned out, the temperatures are finally agreeable (no more melting into oblivion), and fall colors are showing off in spectacular fashion.
It’s the season where a jacket is your best friend, and a steaming cup of whatever-you-choose-to-sip never felt so right. And where better to soak up this greatness than in some of the most stunning national parks? These are the spots where you’ll find golden hues stretching for miles, wildlife doing their pre-winter thing, and trails that practically beg you to trade the couch for adventure.
It’s not summer, it’s not winter, and that sweet in-between of October makes it chef’s kiss for a trip that stands out from the usual. With countless stunning options, it’s all about picking the spots that offer that perfect mix of activity, fall beauty, and seasonal charm. Let’s take a look.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Mid-October in Acadia is really the peak of nature showing off with reds, oranges, and yellows exploding across the landscape. And it’s so beautiful you might (briefly) forget your phone exists. This is prime leaf-peeping territory, with trails threading through mind-bogglingly vibrant forests and coastal views that have “picture-worthy” written all over them.
If you’re into bragging rights, head up Cadillac Mountain at sunrise. Between October 7 and March 6, it happens to be the first spot in the U.S. where sunlight hits, so you’ll officially win the “I saw the sunrise before you” game.
Bonus? No summer-level crowds, which means fewer people accidentally photobombing your scenic shots and more room to hike, relax, and revel in Acadia’s jaw-dropping fall charm.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t just a park; it’s an autumn marathon where fall colors slowly run downhill over weeks. Starting in mid-October at the highest peaks, the reds, yellows, and oranges of sugar maples, birches, and hickories glide downward like they’ve got somewhere important to be.
By early November, the lower valleys catch fire with color, and every scenic drive becomes a masterpiece. Clingmans Dome Road and Foothills Parkway demand your attention, or at least a snap-happy road trip playlist.
Oh, and while you focus on the trees, don’t forget the air; there’s a reason they call them the Smokies. That misty, magical atmosphere is your sign that sometimes, slowing down to enjoy the view really is the whole point.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone in the fall is like stepping into a National Geographic special (but with fewer crowds and more layers). Between late September and early October, the trees trade their green for vibrant gold, framing geysers and hot springs in their autumn best.
Speaking of spectacles, the elk rut is in full swing. Imagine bull elk calling out their hauntingly cool bugles, locking antlers, and generally putting on the ultimate showdown. It’s nature’s version of prime-time drama… minus commercials and plus crisp air.
Besides the elk, other wildlife is still out and about as well. And the geothermal landscapes are as mind-blowing as always.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Who knew the Midwest had this much fall zest? At Indiana Dunes National Park, the lakeshore sheds its summer beachy mood and trades it for a striking canvas of sassafras and sumac (yes, those trees are as cool as they sound).
Miller Woods becomes a crimson paradise, and for those who fancy some education with their leaf appreciation, ranger-guided “Fall Colors hikes” every Saturday in October are a must. Not only do they fill your brain with tree trivia, but they also guide you to the best spots to see the colors.
Plus, with the crisp air and smaller crowds, it feels more like you’re part of a secret club, one that includes peaceful trails, golden light reflecting off Lake Michigan, and a real chance to soak it all in.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree does fall its own way, and we’re glad it does. By late October through mid-November, when temperatures hang in the pleasant low-70s and that whole sticky, sweaty humidity is MIA, the park transforms into a southern dream.
This is prime time for paddling Cedar Creek, where calm waters reflect the glowing yellow of bald cypress and sweetgum leaves like a watery mirror. And the ecosystem here is unique enough to feel like you’ve stepped into another world entirely, complete with towering trees and the occasional wildlife companion who paddles by your canoe.
No frosty mornings, no thermals required; just the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in fall’s underrated southeastern wonderland.
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Desert in the fall? It turns out the answer is a resounding yes. At Petrified Forest National Park, fall transforms the landscape into a canvas of cooler days and downright show-stopping sunsets. And by October, the sweltering summer heat takes a break, leaving room for clearer skies and fewer humans wandering about; perfect for those of us who enjoy a little elbow room with our ancient wood.
And speaking of ancient, the park’s main attraction (those kaleidoscopic petrified logs) really pops against the fall light, making them Instagram-worthy… or you know, just nice to look at without sweating buckets.
Bonus tip for the adventurer in you: the milder weather is ideal for hiking some lesser-trodden trails. Just try not to stub your toe on a 200-million-year-old log. No pressure.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
The Guadalupe Mountains in October feel like the weather decided to throw the Southwest a surprise fall party. Canopies of maples burst into flames (visually only, thankfully) with oranges, reds, and golds so vibrant it’s like the canyon got a new wardrobe.
McKittrick Canyon is the star of the season, and for good reason. It offers some of the most brilliant displays of fall color this side of Texas. And with temps hovering in that Goldilocks range of “just right,” you won’t even break a sweat admiring the view.
Be prepared to spot the occasional deer or turkey; they’re the uninvited but harmless guests at this celebration. You’ll leave wondering why everyone else hasn’t figured out how underrated this park really is.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon is a double feature in October. The hoodoos (those quirky spire-shaped rock formations) take on a dramatic flair when surrounded by aspen trees shimmering gold and orange. And bonus, since most folks clear out after September, you can snag those rim-trail views without dodging tourists taking selfies at every corner.
The lower elevations especially come alive, like nature decided to hit the saturation filter on red, orange, and gold tones. With the cooler days begging you to hike, Bryce in the fall is both peaceful and jaw-dropping.
Pack a jacket, though; it may be warm-ish by day, but those early morning trailheads are a brisk wakeup call to your soul.
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
Some call it a giant croquet hoop; others see it as a shiny tribute to math and engineering. Either way, the Gateway Arch is pure magic for anyone who loves a good view… and maybe a little vertigo.
Completed on October 28, 1965, this 630-foot stainless steel beauty stands as the tallest arch in the world. So come in October to celebrate its birthday as the leaves begin to change on the park’s grounds.
Did you know St Louis’s undeniable icon also comes with its own tram system, whisking you to the top for panoramic views of the city and beyond? Pro tip: skip leg day; those narrow tram pods and altitude shifts will do the job for you.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Fall at White Sands might just redefine serenity. Picture endless waves of white gypsum dunes stretching into the horizon, and here’s the twist: you’re not melting in the summer sun. Daytime temps land in that sweet spot between 65°F and 80°F, making the experience way more pleasant for trekking across the powdery landscape.
Plus, the monsoons of summer have packed up and moved on, leaving you with nothing but clear skies and smooth sand beneath your boots. Catch the sunset while you’re there. The way the light dances off the dunes is so mesmerizing, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a dreamscape.
No mirages here, though. And while you may not get the usual fall colors, you will get fewer crowds, the sand, and endless possibilities.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Virginia is for lovers… of fall foliage, at least. Shenandoah National Park turns its Appalachian charm to the max in mid-to-late October, showing off every shade of red, orange, and yellow you didn’t realize trees could manage. With chestnut, red oak, and maple trees stealing the show, they are definitely competing for best autumn palette.
Skyline Drive provides a front-row seat to the drama, winding through 105 miles of pure scenic bliss. And you’ll be craning your neck so much, you might just leave with an impressively sore jawline (bonus highlight?).
If the colors don’t win you over, the fresh air and a chance to spot adorable woodland creatures scampering about might seal the deal. Shenandoah doesn’t just show fall; this place owns it.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Overachieving trees? Enter stage left. Up in the high elevations of Great Basin National Park, aspens lead the fall parade by mid-to-late September, standing tall in their golden outfits against a backdrop of some of the darkest night skies in the nation.
By October, the lower elevations join the party, splashing the slopes with wild rosehips and creeping hollygrape. The rosehips might look pretty, but beware; they pack the kind of taste punch you’d expect from a fruit that doubles as survival food.
Oh, and don’t sleep on the mushrooms (not literally; that’s gross). They add a pop of fall flair worth squatting awkwardly to admire. Nothing screams fall like questionable kneeling angles on a hiking trail, am I right?!
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