Fall is one of the best times to explore America’s national parks.
The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and landscapes transform with color, light, and texture.
To uncover the most memorable autumn destinations, we asked outdoor enthusiasts, adventurers, and park lovers to share their favorite national parks to visit in the fall—and what makes each one special.
From the glowing dunes of White Sands to the fiery leaves of Shenandoah, their recommendations highlight the diversity and beauty of the U.S. park system when autumn is in full swing.
White Sands: A Serene Desert Fall Experience
People usually think of Yellowstone or Shenandoah, but as a U.S. Army veteran, I’m going to say, hands down, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is the best.
That may sound counterintuitive, as many people envision a desert painted in vivid autumn colors, but the hundred square miles of gypsum dunes ebbing and flowing against the cold, fine desert air are a sight to behold in fall.
After years of shuffling in heat and dryness, I discovered that the park in October had the same open skies and open terrain, along with 70-degree days and near-empty trails.
The sunsets here are among the most surreal I’ve ever seen — deep orange skies against white dunes that are nearly snow-like.
Less than 800,000 people visit each year (compared with more than 12 million at Great Smoky Mountains), so you have the elbow room and silence that’s increasingly difficult to find elsewhere.
My recommendation to future travelers: go late in the afternoon, hike into the dunes about a mile, and bring a small sled. The gypsum never heats up, even after years of trekking miles on it, doesn’t have that “oven effect,” the heat sink that normal sand does out in the desert.
For me, that silence, interrupted only by the sound of boots crunching on sand, has the effect of a reset button, a sort of desert leaf-peeping, if you will. It’s not the “classic fall” trip, but if you’ve spent years in uniform chasing down quiet moments, this one stays with you.
Chad Lipka, President | Chief Marketing Officer, North Shore Sauna
Glacier: Diverse Fall Camping Adventures
After creating content about America’s most scenic routes and managing our nationwide events program, I’ve camped in dozens of national parks.
Glacier National Park in Montana takes my top spot for fall camping–specifically late September when the larch trees turn golden but Going-to-the-Sun Road stays accessible.
What makes Glacier special is the dramatic temperature contrast you experience with a truck camper.
You can camp at lower elevations like Apgar where it’s comfortable, then drive up to Logan Pass where snow might already be dusting the peaks.
I documented this exact scenario when filming content for our Montana & Wyoming loop route–the visual storytelling opportunities are incredible.
The dispersed camping options around the park’s perimeter are phenomenal for our truck camper community.
Unlike crowded summer months, September offers plenty of Forest Service roads with epic views and minimal crowds. I’ve found sites where you wake up to frost on your camper but by afternoon, you’re hiking in a t-shirt.
From a practical standpoint, fall gives you the wildlife activity without the summer tourist chaos. The park’s 700+ miles of trails are accessible, the weather is stable, and you get those crisp mountain mornings that make opening your Four Wheel Camper door feel like stepping into a postcard.
Eric Hyde, Marketing Manager, Four Wheel Campers
Bryce Canyon: Unique Autumn Scenery
After setting up our canvas tents across six continents and working with glamping sites from deserts to forests, I’d say Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah takes the crown for fall camping.
The elevation changes there create this incredible microclimate effect that most people miss – while you’re dealing with crisp 40-degree mornings, by afternoon you’re in perfect 70-degree weather that’s ideal for extended outdoor stays.
What really sets Bryce apart is how the fall light interacts with those red rock formations. I’ve had clients specifically request tent placements to capture that golden hour lighting that happens around 6 PM in October, and the contrast between the orange aspens and red hoodoos creates this natural amphitheater effect that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.
From a practical camping perspective, Bryce‘s fall conditions are perfect for canvas tent camping – low humidity, minimal precipitation, and those temperature swings actually help with condensation management inside the tent. We’ve used it as a testing ground for our cold-weather setups because the conditions are challenging but predictable.
The stargazing there is phenomenal too, which is why we developed our stargazing tent. Bryce is actually a designated Dark Sky Park, and in fall you get those crystal-clear nights without summer’s heat distortion affecting visibility.
Caitlyn Stout, Owner, Stout Tent
Great Sand Dunes: Fall Colors with Adventure
Living on an 80-acre ranch in Evergreen gives me access to some incredible fall destinations, but Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is my absolute favorite for October adventures.
The contrast between golden aspen groves in the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains and those massive 750-foot dunes creates a surreal landscape you can’t find anywhere else.
What makes it perfect for fall is the temperature balance – those dunes can hit 140°F in summer, but October brings ideal conditions for sandboarding and hiking. I’ve taken my three boys there multiple times, and watching them surf down North America’s tallest dunes with snow-capped peaks in the background never gets old.
The design principles I use in staging homes actually apply here too – it’s all about layered textures and contrasting elements. You get smooth sand, rugged mountains, golden aspens, and evergreen forests all in one frame. As someone who creates lifted spaces professionally, this park delivers that same “wow factor” naturally.
The practical benefit is it’s only a few hours from Denver, so you can easily combine it with other Colorado fall activities. Unlike crowded leaf-peeping destinations, you often have sections of those massive dunes completely to yourself in October.
Adam Bocik, Partner, Evergreen Results
Isle Royale: Autumn Tranquility on Lake Superior
When it comes to fall in U.S. national parks, my pick is Isle Royale in Michigan—but not for the reason most people expect.
Everyone talks about the moose and wolves, and sure, they’re amazing, but what sticks with me is how quiet the island becomes in autumn. By September, the summer ferries slow down, and the place feels like it’s exhaling after a busy season.
You’ll hike for hours and not see a soul, which makes the shifting birch leaves and sudden flashes of crimson maples feel almost otherworldly, as if you stumbled into a secret that wasn’t meant to be shared.
The cool part? Because it’s on Lake Superior, the fall weather changes rapidly—one minute the water’s glassy and still, the next it’s churning with whitecaps. That unpredictability makes the landscape feel alive in a way that’s different from the big “fall foliage” destinations like Acadia or Shenandoah.
Isle Royale reminds you that nature isn’t a postcard—it’s moody, shifting, and it doesn’t particularly care if you’re comfortable. That’s what makes being there in fall unforgettable.
Derek Pankaew, CEO & Founder, Listening.com
Arches: A Fall Challenge for Outdoor Enthusiasts
As someone who’s spent years building custom Jeeps and hitting rugged trails, I’d recommend Arches National Park in Utah during fall.
The sandstone formations create natural wind barriers that make October camping incredibly comfortable compared to the brutal summer heat.
What makes it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts is the variety of physical challenges. The Fiery Furnace requires actual scrambling and problem-solving – similar to the full-body engagement I get from boxing and weight training. Your core stability gets tested navigating those narrow slot canyons.
The fall timing eliminates the crowds but maintains perfect weather for multi-day camping trips. I’ve done week-long expeditions there where daytime temperatures hit 70°F and nights drop to a crisp 40°F – ideal for someone like me who loves extended backcountry trips with the kids.
From a recovery standpoint, the dry desert air actually helps with post-trip muscle recovery better than humid environments. I notice less joint stiffness after long hikes there compared to other parks, which matters when you’re planning consecutive days of technical trail running or rock scrambling.
Gannon Ward, CEO, Atmosphere Chiropractic and Wellness
Acadia: Nature’s Autumn Design Masterpiece
After spending 15+ years designing outdoor spaces and working hands-on with landscapes across Ohio, I have to say that Acadia National Park in Maine is my top choice.
The granite hardscaping there is absolutely incredible – those natural stone formations taught me more about working with stone than any textbook ever could.
What really captivated me was Cadillac Mountain’s summit trail in early October. The way the fall colors cascade down into Frenchman Bay below is like seeing nature’s own landscape design masterpiece. I actually brought back design inspiration from those granite pathways and incorporated similar natural stone patterns into several client projects back in Springfield.
The park’s carriage roads are pure genius from a hardscaping perspective. They built these gravel paths in the early 1900s that still handle Maine’s brutal winters perfectly – no cracking, minimal maintenance. I’ve applied those same drainage and material principles to walkways and driveways for clients who need surfaces that can handle Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles.
Most people miss the real show at Jordan Pond Path where you can see how water naturally shapes stone over time. As someone who installs ponds and water features, watching how nature handles water flow around those massive granite boulders gave me ideas I still use today.
BJ Hamilton, Owner, Natures Own Landscaping
Big Bend: Subtle Beauty in the Southwest
Come autumn, Big Bend National Park in West Texas becomes a thing of subdued wildness. Canyon light mellows stone.
Trails near the Rio Grande take on hues of bronze and rust.
Daytime temperatures dip into the 60s, and cool nights make a campfire feel like a truly earned indulgence. Javelinas may amble across the riverbank, or a golden eagle may soar overhead, offering rare sightings that lodge in the memory.
I’m partial to the park’s Window Trail, which provides a vista through the canyon with strata ranging across all shades of red and brown.
It’s quiet enough that the river’s flow drowns out in your mind, and your phone will likely remain at rest. There are no gift shops or guided hikes. Instead, you have wind and a view that digs into the soul far beyond the depth of a photo. This slice of the Southwest seems honest, rugged, and quietly unforgettable come autumn.
Craig Focht, Cofounder & CEO, All Pro Door Repair
Zion: Architectural Beauty in Autumn
Zion National Park in Utah is unmatched in the fall because its sandstone cliffs glow in deeper reds against golden cottonwoods, a contrast that feels almost architectural in its precision.
Unlike the typical fall pilgrimage to New England, where the beauty is expected, Zion delivers a surprise: warm light cutting across canyons, crisp air perfect for strenuous hikes, and fewer crowds that let you experience solitude.
I’ve walked those trails at dawn when the rock itself seems alive, shifting hues with every passing minute, and it mirrors the very reason I work with reclaimed stone: the timelessness, the permanence, and the unexpected beauty that emerges when nature meets patience.
Zion in autumn isn’t just scenery; it’s proof that raw material and environment together create art no human could design.
Erwin Gutenkunst, President and Owner, Neolithic Materials
Mount Rainier: Dramatic Fall Transformation
Mount Rainier National Park is my favorite out of all the national parks that I have visited.
The reason is the complete transformation that occurs there during the fall. The meadows around Paradise turn deep red and orange, and when you see that color against the snow-crowned top of Rainier, it is nearly unreal.
This season is the best time to hike the Skyline Trail as you get a combination of cool air, fall colors, and panoramic vistas that stretch as far as you can see. Each turn seems to offer a new type of scenery that you have no choice but to stop and admire.
I have been to other parks during the fall, such as Shenandoah or the Smokies, where the rolling mountains glow yellow and orange.
They are beautiful in themselves, but Rainier is different due to its sheer size and how dramatic the location is. You have the same bright colors, only they are set against a background of glaciers and sharp mountains, and this contrasts the whole place more. Even compared to Acadia or Yellowstone, Rainier is more dynamic in the fall as you observe a collision of so many ecosystems within a single park.
Gal Cohen, Business Development Leader & Field Area Manager, JDM Sliding Doors
Great Basin: Peaceful Wilderness in Fall
The tranquility of the Great Basin in fall feels calm and breathtaking.
The air is crisp, the trails are quiet, and the wilderness is less crowded compared to the popular parks visited by many. Standing near Wheeler Peak at nearly 13,000 ft, all you can hear is the wind rushing through bristlecone pines that have survived thousands of years in this cold and windy place.
What I liked the most about the park is the openness of the wilderness. You can hike for miles without seeing another person, allowing you time to appreciate the golden aspens or the colors of the rocks changing as the sun dips lower in the western sky. There is a peaceful yet welcoming feel to this place.
At night, the sky is the real show. The darkness allows the Milky Way to stretch overhead in a way that feels close and bright. Lying under those stars is such an unforgettable moment, which is why Great Basin, especially during fall, is always a place that I think of going back to.
Kyle Sobko, Chief Executive Officer, SonderCare
Yosemite: An Intimate Fall Experience
For me, it has to be Yosemite in the fall.
The crowds thin out compared to summer, the air feels crisp, and the mix of granite cliffs with the golden leaves is something you can’t really capture in photos.
I’ve found that the quieter trails during this season give you space to really take it all in, almost like you’re experiencing the park in a more personal way.
Plus, the cooler weather makes long hikes so much more enjoyable.
Vaarrun Bhurria, Marketing Coordinator, Destination Big Bear
Lassen Volcanic: Fall Colors Meet Geology
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great destination in the fall because it offers a unique combination of volcanic features with brilliant colors, making it stand out from other national parks. It is one of the few areas in the United States where you can see all four types of volcanoes.
Additionally, in the fall, with the cooler weather, visiting the geothermal areas of the park, such as the mud pots and steam vents, is much more comfortable than in summer.
During fall, the park’s forests, including the aspen groves, display magnificent gold and yellow colors radiating against the dark volcanic rocks. It is a rare sight that you cannot find in many other places.
Another benefit of visiting in the fall is that the main road through the park remains open until the first heavy snowfall. So if you arrive before heavy snow, you can drive through the park and access the trailheads. Also, during the fall, there is less traffic, allowing you to enjoy the area with fewer visitors.
Matthew Tran, Engineer and Founder, Birchbury
Cuyahoga Valley: Blending Water and Autumn Color
There are many national parks that I have visited during the fall season, but what I consider my top one is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.
The thing that makes this park very special in the fall is the way the scenery combines with the water.
The waterfalls, such as Brandywine Falls, which drops 65 feet, look even more striking framed by glowing trees.
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail stretches for 20 miles, and cycling through it in October feels as if you are passing through a living painting.
As opposed to bigger parks with heavy traffic, Cuyahoga Valley still has some intimate spots where you may sit, breathe, and be with nature. This balance of beauty and peace is why it remains my number one place to go in the fall season.
Meera Watts, Founder and CEO, Siddhi Yoga
Shenandoah: Rolling Waves of Color
I have been to quite a few U.S. national parks so far, but my favorite to visit is Shenandoah National Park, especially in the fall.
I have been there quite a few times, both alone (as a student) and with my wife and then children.
It is simply magical the way the Blue Ridge Mountains transform into waves of red, orange, and gold, and pretty much every color and shade.
Even if you are not religious, you will feel something deeply electric when you take it all in.
Jeremy Golan SHRM-CP, CPHR, HR Manager, Virtual HR Hub
Joshua Tree: Unique Desert Fall Landscape
Joshua Tree: Two Reasons – The Desert Ecosystems and the Incredible Rock Formations
The park straddles two distinct deserts—the Mojave and the Colorado—each with its own climate, plants, and wildlife.
The Mojave is home to the iconic Joshua Tree (a twisted, spiky member of the yucca family), while the lower Colorado Desert has cholla cacti, ocotillo, and vast open plains. Few places let you experience two very different deserts side by side.
Massive piles of granite boulders and monzogranite domes make the park a rock climber’s dream. Even if you’re not climbing, formations like Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Hidden Valley feel like walking through a natural sculpture garden. The way the rocks catch the light at sunrise and sunset makes the landscape even more dramatic.
Marc Bromhall, Founder, Cape Trek
Great Smoky Mountains: Bursting with Autumn Colors
With the intention of being an outdoor person, a national park that I would prefer visiting in the fall is Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the United States.
It has gorgeous autumnal colors with reds, oranges, and yellows dominating the Appalachian hardwood forests.
Hiking and touristic exploration are even more enjoyable in such clear air and with magnificent mountain views.
Also, more relaxed temperatures and fewer visitors on the trails create the kind of ambiance you want in order to enjoy all the beauty of the park’s landscape.
Zack Moorin, Acquisitions Manager, Zack Buys Houses
Conclusion
From deserts to mountains, forests to coastlines, every park offers something unique in autumn.
Some, like Glacier and Rainier, dazzle with dramatic seasonal changes, while others, like White Sands or Joshua Tree, prove that fall beauty isn’t limited to colorful leaves.
The common theme? Fall brings quieter trails, cooler weather, and unforgettable scenery across the U.S. national park system.
Whether you’re chasing foliage, solitude, or adventure, these expert-recommended parks are some of the best places to experience autumn in all its glory.