The best destinations to see fall foliage without big crowds

As summer turns to fall, travel plans often turn from visiting the beach to finding the best places to view autumn leaves. Leaf-peeping hot spots are plentiful — and often teeming with people during peak color times.

This list is for you if you’d rather not fight the crowds.

We’ve picked 15 lesser-known fall foliage destinations perfect for a visit between late September and mid-to-late October. From idyllic U.S. towns to stunning Croatian national parks and cozy Japanese hot spring resorts, these are the best places to see fall foliage without the big crowds who love leaf-spotting as much as you do.

Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania

Pine Creek Gorge extends 1,450 feet into the ground at its deepest point. Pine Creek flows through the gorge — often called the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania — and tree-covered, rolling hills flank each side.

The gorge runs for about 47 miles, with the deepest point near the southern end in Waterville in northern Pennsylvania, about a four-hour drive northwest of Philadelphia. Pine Creek Gorge offers plentiful opportunities for walking, cycling, horseback riding or a scenic drive. You will want to climb the Barbour Rock Trail in Tioga State Forest for one of the most memorable views of the gorge. In the fall, those views will include a veritable rainbow of autumn leaves, made even more vivid by the evergreen trees that dot the landscape.

New Paltz, New York

You can go anywhere in New York’s Hudson Valley for glorious fall foliage, but we suggest you zero in on the town of New Paltz, about a two-hour drive north of New York City, for your leaf-spotting adventures.

The Mohonk Preserve’s visitor center is a jumping-off point for nature trails, including the playful J & S Grafton Sensory Trail and Children’s Forest for families. There is no fee to enter the visitor center, but there is a daily fee of $15 for hikers and $20 for cyclists, climbers and horseback riders. Children under 15 years of age are free.

If you prefer to extend your stay (and the views), book a stay at the historic Mohonk Mountain House, where you can hike or “rock scramble” around large boulders. (Rates start at $692 per night.)

Jay Cooke State Park, Minnesota

The St. Louis River intersects Jay Cooke State Park about 20 minutes southwest of Duluth, and where there’s a river, there’s a bridge. An impressive, albeit shaky, way to see the fall colors here is by walking across the park’s 220-foot-long suspension bridge. You’ll be treated to river views like the rocky outcroppings peppering the shoreline and the bright-as-gold fall leaves.

If you prefer to stay on solid ground, head for the Oldenburg Point overlook or take your pick of more than 50 miles of hiking trails.

Dubuque, Iowa

In fall, bushy trees in varying hues against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds make Dubuque, Iowa, look like something out of a Bob Ross painting.

Get a bird’s-eye view of the landscape from the top of the Fenelon Place Elevator, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Known as the world’s steepest, shortest scenic railway (though other funicular railways make the same claim), the 296-foot-long railway takes passengers on one-way or round-trip tours from Dubuque’s Fourth Street to Fenelon Place.

From the top, you can view downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi River and thousands of “happy little trees.” Riding the Fenelon Place Elevator requires a small fee ($2 one-way or $4 round-trip), and you must pay in cash.

McCloud Nature Park, Indiana

Indiana may be better known as a basketball state than a fall foliage destination, but you’ll score big by visiting central Indiana’s McCloud Nature Park to see the colorful trees. Located about an hour’s drive west of Indianapolis, the 232-acre park offers 6 miles of nature trails, one of which crosses a creek via a 100-year-old truss bridge.

The Big Walnut Crossing trail is a short, 0.4-mile walk that isn’t short on gorgeous views. The park’s Nature Center offers interactive exhibits and year-round programming to enhance your time in the great outdoors.

Lexington, Kentucky

When you think of Kentucky, horse racing and bourbon probably come to mind. You’ll find both in Lexington, along with vibrant fall colors. To view the fall leaves on foot, hike the 3.8-mile round-trip Kentucky River Palisades Trail in Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve.

For the full Kentucky experience, try a picturesque horseback ride at Kentucky Horse Park or take to the skies with a treetop canopy zip line tour with Boone Creek Outdoors. If you want to combine urban exploration and leaf-peeping, check out the Town Branch Trail, now partially complete. By 2025, the mixed-use trail will officially link downtown to Lexington’s Distillery District, where you’ll find dining, shopping and, of course, bourbon.

New River Gorge, West Virginia

It’s practically a no-brainer that a state nicknamed the Mountain State would be a top destination for dazzling foliage. Each fall, West Virginia’s peaks and valleys flaunt their beauty with yellow, red and orange hues, and there’s no better place to see them show off than New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.

The Grandview Main Overlook sits 1,400 feet above the New River and is only a short walk from the parking lot (the cement-and-stone path and overlook deck are also wheelchair friendly). If you are up for an adventure, you can raft down the New River with one of many licensed rafting outfitters.

Two driving tours are available — the Fayette Station Road Audio Tour and the African American Heritage Auto Tour — which offer historical facts about the park and surrounding area. Best of all, you can take in all the history while soaking up those iconic scenic views.

Related: Your guide to exploring West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park

Katy Trail State Park, Missouri

Katy Trail State Park is home to the country’s longest recreational rail trail, which can be traversed by foot, bike or horse. The trail follows the path of the Missouri River between the towns of Machens and Clinton, offering many opportunities to take in the fall scenery along the way.

There are more than 26 trailheads along the 240-mile-long trail, many close to bike rental facilities, dining and camping.

If you want to see the sights without doing the legwork, seasonal tram tours are available two Tuesdays monthly in May, June, September and October.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

If your fall travels take you to the Buckeye State, Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s vivid orange and yellow foliage will stop you in your tracks. The park, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, has a scenic railway, hundreds of miles of trails and access to the Cuyahoga River so you can experience the sights at your own pace.

If you can’t choose, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad sells an Explorer Pass, which allows you to ride the train in one direction and hike, run or bike to your starting point.

The foliage peaks near Brandywine Falls in mid-October. Follow the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop trail to see red sugar maples pop against the dark brown leaves of the white oaks and the white foam of the 60-foot waterfall.

Greenville County, South Carolina

While everyone else is heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains, in-the-know travelers will head to the mountain range’s foothills to visit Greenville County, South Carolina. While downtown Greenville has all the shopping and dining you’d expect, you might be surprised that you don’t need to leave downtown to experience the area’s fall colors.

The best way to see the area’s waterfalls, river and sweeping green spaces is on the Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy, located downtown. The uniquely shaped, curved pedestrian bridge spans 345 feet and has panoramic views of the changing foliage. Located within the park, the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville Autograph Collection has rooms with views of the falls. (Rates start at $378 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.)

Killarney National Park, Ireland

There’s no shortage of natural beauty in Killarney National Park‘s 26,000 acres of tranquil lakes, craggy mountains and lush forests, but the history of this area of southwest Ireland makes it even more alluring. You can visit a 4,000-year-old prehistoric settlement, a castle and abbey built in the 15th century, and centuries-old grand estates.

Trails range from wheelchair accessible to the “very difficult” trail that leads to the summit of Torc Mountain. In addition to fall’s fiery, red-hued leaves, you can try and spot the country’s last indigenous herd of red deer.

Just outside the park, Killarney Glamping (nightly rates from $119) offers glamping suites, luxury lodges and brand-new cabins, all with en suite bathrooms and heating. You can book a session in the resort’s sauna, set on the banks of the River Flesk.

Grizedale Forest, England

Grizedale Forest, named for the Grizedale Hall estate that once stood on the grounds, is in Northwest England’s Lake District. The land is now under the management of Forestry England and provides ample opportunities for visitors to explore the area on foot, by bike or on a high ropes course.

The blanket of green trees that covers the hills and valleys in spring and summer gives way to a kaleidoscope of red, orange and yellow hues in the fall.

While enjoying the colorful leaves painted by Mother Nature, you can also visit a sculpture trail with pieces forged from natural materials, a children’s playground and a cafe.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Opened in 1949, Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of Croatia’s oldest and largest national parks, but the forces that carved the park’s caves and water features are much older. Over the course of thousands of years, water flowing over the park’s rocks created unique, multilevel lakes and waterfalls that flow between them. Plitvice Lakes’ year-round dreaminess is further heightened in the fall when the turquoise waters contrast dramatically with the autumn-hued leaves.

There is a fee to enter the park, but admission ($25 per person) includes access to sightseeing boats and train tours. You can also hike from the parking lot to see the lakes (and leaves) on foot.

If you stay in one of the hotels near the park’s entrance, like Hotel Plitvice (rates start at $157 per night), you can schedule your entrance ticket first thing in the morning and experience the park when crowds are at their smallest.

Related: A bucket list layover at Plitvice Lakes National Park for 38,000 points

Eryri National Park, Wales

Within Eryri National Park, also known by its English name Snowdonia, you’ll find Yr Wyddfa — the highest mountain in Wales. Luckily, you don’t have to hike 3,560 feet to the summit to see the brilliant fall foliage (unless you want to). There are hiking, cycling and horseback riding trails to suit all levels, as well as paved paths that are accessible for wheelchairs.

If you visit in mid-to-late October, you’ll enjoy an array of orange and yellow leaves across the mountainous peaks. There are hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and campsites in the park if you want to fully immerse yourself in Wales’ fall beauty.

Related: Castles, culture and Cardiff: 4 reasons why Wales is on my bucket list

Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

As beautiful as Yamagata Prefecture becomes each winter when the evergreens on Mount Yao turn into “snow monsters,” the region is equally magnificent in fall — the region’s deciduous trees take on a mix of jewel-toned garnet, rich yellow and fiery orange hues.

The Yamagata Shinkansen will take you north from Tokyo Station to Yamagata Station in under three hours, making this an easy side trip from the capital.

The area’s picturesque hot spring towns like Ginzan Onsen and Zao Onsen look like they’ve been pulled straight from a Studio Ghibli movie. During the day, take in the fall foliage from a hiking trail and in the evening, return to your historic ryokan and relax in its steaming baths. To get a bird’s-eye view of the foliage, take the Zao Ropeway cable car to the summit of Mount Zao.

Bottom line

Whether you plan to travel a short distance to look at the leaves on a crisp autumn day or fly to another continent for a full fall-iday, you’ll find what you seek — without the crowds — in these destinations.

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