15 Best Places to See Fall Colors in the U.S.

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So-called ‘drip pricing’ can make it difficult to determine the total cost of airline tickets and vacation rentals.
Fair warning: Local wildlife can bring traffic to a standstill on Parks Highway 3 while you're driving through Denali National Park. Then again, that is part of this road's allure.
Slide 1 of 15: The Catskills, New YorkThe Catskills offers vibrant fall colors in thick, wooded hillsides and along the six major river systems in the region. Visit the last two weeks of September through mid-October to get the most of the fall colors. Here are 10 things you can do with a pile of leaves.
Slide 2 of 15: Aspen, ColoradoNot just for skiing, Aspen offers picture-perfect fall colors mixed in with its spectacular mountain peaks. Color season peaks around the end of September through the first of October. Handle leaf season like a pro with these 14 tips.
Slide 3 of 15: Green Mountain Byway, VermontTake a drive in Vermont this fall and you'll be treated to a colorful fall display in state forests and state parks. Stop in at Stowe and take a ski area gondola to get a bird's-eye view of the jaw-dropping colors. Check out these 15 super-useful tools for dealing with leaves.
Slide 4 of 15: The Berkshires, MassachusettsYou'll experience world-class fall colors in The Berkshires. This area of Massachusetts offers winding roads for leaf viewing, along with art galleries, antique shops and spas for when you need a break from nature. Colors generally peak around Columbus Day. These are the five ways smart homeowners deal with fall leaves.
Slide 5 of 15: Great Smoky Mountains, TennesseeThe Great Smoky Mountains offers impressive fall colors with plenty of orange, crimson and gold tones. Hit the trails for a hike in October and even into early November for some impressive color displays or enjoy the park's scenic roads by car. Prevent roadside disasters with this road trip checklist.
Slide 6 of 15: Columbia River Gorge, OregonIf you're in the Pacific Northwest, check out Oregon's Columbia River Gorge for breathtaking fall colors. Hike a variety of trails or even kayak down the river to take in the leaves mid-September through mid-October. These are the 16 camping hacks you'll wish you knew earlier.
Slide 7 of 15: Glacier National Park, MontanaIf you visit Glacier National Park in late September, you'll find most of the tourists have left since the park's concessions have closed for the season. This is a great time to enjoy the park and see its spectacular fall color display. Stay safe when camping with these 11 tips.
Slide 8 of 15: Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New MexicoFrom late September into early October, you'll be dazzled with the fall colors in this 83-mile loop that begins and ends in Taos, New Mexico. Take a picnic and make a day of it, enjoying the breathtaking mountain vistas. Check out these 14 picnic tables you have to see to believe.
Slide 9 of 15: Upper Peninsula, MichiganEnjoy a camping trip in Michigan's Upper Peninsula from mid-September to mid-October and you'll enjoy a bounty of fall colors. Make one of the Upper Peninsula's 20-plus forested state parks your home base and venture out on a few day trips to make the most of the fall color display. These are 10 cool camping gadgets you'll want for your next trip.
Slide 10 of 15: Denali National Park, AlaskaHead to Alaska's Denali National Park in September for breathtaking yellow birch trees. When you're there, there's a good chance you'll see some of the park's 200-plus species of wildlife. These are the 11 things you shouldn't do with your fallen leaves.
Slide 11 of 15: Lake of the Ozarks, MissouriThis getaway in central Missouri offers an array of fall colors to enjoy while hiking, biking or even riding horses. The best time to visit for optimal leaf viewing is the last couple weeks of October. These are the best gutter guards for your home.
Slide 12 of 15: Litchfield, ConnecticutVisit the rolling foothills around Litchfield Connecticut from mid-October through early November and you'll be treated to spectacular fall colors. While there, visit the village of New Preston, which is perched above a waterfall on the Aspetuck River. This is the ultimate guide to gas-powered leaf blowers.
Slide 13 of 15: Rhode IslandThis tiny state packs a big punch when it comes to viewing fall colors. Take a drive along winding roads around Providence to admire small towns, rolling meadows and apple orchards. The best time to visit is the end of October. These are the 15 best projects to do in fall.
Slide 14 of 15: Mendocino, CaliforniaWhen it comes to viewing fall colors in Northern California, Mendocino offers vibrant color early October through Thanksgiving. From lighthouses to area small towns, you may think you're in New England! Get your home ready for fall with these 15 smart tips.Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Hotash
Slide 15 of 15: New HampshireTake a drive through the small towns and villages of New Hampshire in early October and you'll be wowed by the fall colors. There are plenty of fun fall color tour drives around the state, complete with covered bridges. These are the 20 projects you should always do in the fall. [skyword_tracking]

The Catskills, New York

Aspen, Colorado

Green Mountain Byway, Vermont

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Glacier National Park, Montana

Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Denali National Park, Alaska

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Litchfield, Connecticut

Rhode Island

Mendocino, California

New Hampshire

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