Best Fall Foliage Locations To Visit - 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. for good reason. There's more than 100 species of native trees, including scarlet oaks, maples, sweetgums, and hickories, which put forth a jaw-dropping autumn display of gold, orange, crimson, and purple. With 800 miles of scenic roads and hiking trails, you could spend days exploring these stunning forests. Photo: Public Domain

The posh mountain town shines in late September through mid-October with its golden aspen trees. Take one of the shuttles from town to Maroon Bells to check out the purple-and-white-streaked mountain peaks reflecting into Maroon Lake. Emerald evergreens dot the mountainous region, breaking up the waves of vibrant yellow and bold orange. Photo: Daniel Case

This 11-mile stretch of Vermont's Route 100 is a little slice of fall foliage heaven, thanks to the state's wet spring and temperate summer. Here you'll see vibrantly red sugar maples, red oaks and sweet gums accented by pops of gold and yellow birch, elm, poplar and hickory trees. Photo: Redjar

For the ruggedly self-sufficient, Glacier National Park is a dream fall foliage destination. By the end of September, all the park's concessions have closed for the season, guests have gone home, and you pretty much have the entire park to yourself. This is one of the best places to see larch trees—a deciduous conifer that turns bright gold in the fall before losing its needles. Yellow larch intermingled with evergreens set against the backdrop of the massive snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide make for perhaps the most dramatic autumn scene in the US. Plus, wildlife abounds—elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears—all making their preparations for winter. Photo: Public Domain

This 105-mile scenic stretch winds through Northern Virginia's Shenandoah National Park and features nearly 75 overlooks with mountain views. October is the magic month-sumac, locust and sassafras trees melt into a buttery yellow as scarlet oak, red maple and sweet gum trees explode into fiery reds. Photo: Maisnam

Cut into the Cascade Mountains forming a natural border between southern Washington and northern Oregon, the 80-mile Columbia River Gorge is already a sublime sight. Come fall, when the firs, cottonwoods, big-leaf maples, Oregon ash, and twisted pines start to show their colors, it's absolutely breathtaking. Visitors can choose to take in the golden and bronze hues while driving along the Columbia River, hiking a variety of trails, or on the water via raft, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. Photo: public domain

In Wine Country, fall means harvest season and, in turn, crush parties at some of the best vineyards in the world. Journey along the famed Silverado Trail, where you'll pass winery after winery with rows of grapevines shining in bold crimson and golden hues. Photo: Brocken Inaglory

With 7 million acres of forest, Michigan's Upper Peninsula is bound to have stellar fall colors. The red, orange, gold and yellow trees (in more than 100 different species) pop vividly against the deep blue waters of the surrounding three Great Lakes. Photo: public domain

Central Missouri's popular summertime lake getaway becomes even better in the fall when the crowds disperse and the temperatures pleasantly drop into the 60s. The surrounding Ozark Hills are at their most scenic come fall, when the forests ignite into shades of scarlet, gold, mahogany, and russet. Experience the color explosion while hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding at Missouri's largest state park. Or take in the fall foliage on a yacht, at the wineries, during a round at one of the lake's championship golf courses, or on a 25-mile scenic drive. Photo: James Carr