With the fall season only a couple months away it’s time to start planning your ultimate fall foliage trip. While most people love to travel to places like Yosemite National Park or basically anywhere popular on the East Coast, it can sometimes be nice to get away and have a more quite trip.
Fall is all about the colors of the leaves changing from green to red, orange and yellow and for the weather to start cooling off, which calls for cute sweaters and boots. Instead of watching the fall season go by, plan a trip to really soak in natures beauty and all it has to offer.
Check out these five hidden gem locations for the ultimate fall foliage trip.
Middlesboro, Kentucky
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdQxL9IBdfP/
Located just two hours south of Lexington, Kentucky, Middlesboro offers the same fall foliage views as the much overcrowded Great Smoky Mountian National Park does. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park provides over 24,000-acres of land for you and your friends to explore.
Whether you want to hike and walk through the colorful trees or spend a fall weekend camping under the stars, this national park has it all. The park also offers fun fall events like a fall festival and elk-viewing tours for the ultimate fall experience.
Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlplBM7nyJB/
When you first think of fall foliage, your mind probably doesn’t go to Alaska, but this state has some beautiful hidden fall gems. When fall rolls around The Denali National Park and Preserve has the most beautiful autumn colors that cover the entire park.
Make sure to hit this park just at the peak of the season to ensure you don’t miss the glimpse of fall this state gets. You’ll be able to hike all around viewing everything this beautiful park has to offer. From the changing colors of the leaves to wondering around with the wildlife and more.
Rock Creek Canyon, California
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLu3RwSBrwL/
Where most people decide to go to Yosemite National Park to watch the fall foliage, they are missing out on the beautiful Rock Creek Canyon located in Mammoth Lakes, California. This area covers over 20 miles of beautiful fall scenery that is a total must for any fall fanatic.
The area also offers tons of different activities from hiking and fishing to camping and horseback riding this place has it all. Not to mention the views this place has to offer are outstanding, their beautiful trees to the 13,000-foot peaks all glisten in the many lakes around the area.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
https://www.instagram.com/p/Blrou1pFz4g/
Grand Marais, Minnesota, is a place known for its beauty, and when the fall season rolls around, you couldn’t believe the beauty that overtakes this place. The bring pops of color on the trees cover every inch of land and make for the perfect fall foliage trip.
Grand Marais offers tons of activities to cross off your fall bucket list. From following a “fall colors drive map” to going on a “moosefari” where you get up close and personal with the moose and more. Not to mention Grand Marais is also a great place to watch the stars at night and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS7crvpBlMN/
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to over 20 forested state parks with just about 4 million acres of land. With a wide variety of parks to choose from you will also be able to see some of the beautiful Great Lake’s waters contrasting with the colors of fall.
The great part about this area is that it’s located just far enough from the hustle and bustle of most touristy locations for the fall. They’re known for their uncrowded campgrounds and with 20 parks you most likely won’t run into many people in one area.