For most of the country, October marks the peak of the fall foliage season. No matter where you live, you’re likely within a few hours’ drive of a forest full of red and yellow trees. This fall, taking a road trip to admire the changing leaves is a great way to get out and explore — while still observing social-distancing guidelines.

To help you plan your trip, we rounded up a list of the top leaf-peeping sites by region. Many of the destinations can be enjoyed from the safety and comfort of your car. If you visit during a less crowded time, like weekday mornings, we also included a few nearby trails and attractions to check out.

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Southeast

Blue Ridge Parkway

The star of the Southeast’s fall foliage show is this 469-mile scenic highway that stretches from North Carolina to Virginia. Home to the highest mountain peak and deepest gorge in the east, the Blue Ridge Parkway is famous for its biodiversity. Come fall, the poplar and sassafras trees turn brilliant hues of scarlet and gold. Most stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway have speed limits of 45 mph or less, which encourages travelers to slow down and soak in the scenery.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park

There’s plenty of space to spread out in F.D. Roosevelt State Park, the largest state park in Georgia. Located 80 miles south of Atlanta, this 9,049-acre greenspace is home to several creeks and waterfalls and more than 40 miles of hiking trails. From late October to early November, the forests of hardwoods and pine trees turn a rainbow of reds and yellows. Miles of paved bike trails make it easy to see a lot of the changing colors in a relatively short period of time.

Northeast

Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway

This 33-mile stretch of highway winds through the Berkshire Foothills in western Massachusetts. It’s easily accessible from major cities like Boston and New York City and offers a more peaceful — and picturesque — alternative to the Massachusetts Turnpike. As you make your way through the colorful rolling hills and pastoral fields, you’ll also pass attractions like the Chester-Blandford State Forest, a popular hiking destination.

Acadia National Park

Every fall, the rugged coastlines of Maine’s Acadia National Park come alive with bursts of burgundy and orange. As the aspens and maples get ready for winter, they turn the 47,000-acre park into a playground for leaf-peepers. The 27-mile Park Loop Road features plenty of foliage observation points; there are also more than 150 miles of hiking trails crisscrossing the park. Fall can be one of the busier seasons at Acadia, but if you come during the week, you’ll feel like you have the park to yourself.

Southwest

Oak Creek Canyon

Also known as “the Grand Canyon’s cousin,” Oak Creek Canyon is a 12-mile gorge located between Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona. The cliff sides, some stretching up to 2,000 feet from the riverbed, are covered in sycamores and oaks that turn brilliant colors every fall. You can admire them from the roads that switch back up the gorge. The West Fork Oak Creek trail also offers a pleasant way to take in the vibrant foliage.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Fall is one of the best times to visit Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s not just the rich colors of the willows, oaks and quaking aspen trees. The cooler temperatures also mean less crowds and more comfortable hiking weather. Often overlooked for more popular fall foliage destinations like New England, Bryce Canyon offers a welcome reprieve for leaf-peepers who want to get away from it all.

Northwest

Columbia River Highway

Built in the early 1900s, this 70-plus-mile route was one of America’s first dedicated scenic highways. Today, it’s a popular way to take in the glory of the Pacific Northwest’s fall colors. As you drive among the kaleidoscope of cottonwood, ash and maple trees, keep an eye out for attractions like Multnomah Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and Bridal Veil Falls, a cascade that can be easily reached from the parking area.

Teton Scenic Byway

This nearly 70-mile route winds along the forests of the Teton Mountain Range. As you drive through small towns like Swan Valley and Victor, you’ll enjoy spectacular vistas of the Teton Mountain range and Upper Snake River Valley. Come fall, the views are even more stunning thanks to the orange, gold and crimson of the turning trees.

You can track all of the country’s changing colors on the 2020 Fall Foliage Prediction Map from SmokyMountains.com.

Your turn. Where are your favorite places to enjoy the fall foliage?

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