Every year, the trees stage a quiet revolution. Chlorophyll steps back, and suddenly the hidden pigments—burnished golds, ember reds, and smoky oranges—take the spotlight. It’s not just a color change; it’s a visible clock. A fall colors tour is your invitation to walk through that clock, to step inside a living calendar where every mile is a new page.
In the Fall colors tour guide below, we’ll identify smart routes to explore for discovering fall foliage as well as other autumnal destinations. We’ll share sunrise and golden-hour tips, how to photograph leaves without blowing out the highlights, and what to pack so you’re ready for frosty mornings and warm afternoons.
I. Classic Routes
Route: Vermont Route 100
Beginning Point: Stamford, VM (Vermont)
Overview: Vermont’s Route 100, often called the “Skier’s Highway” but equally famous as “Vermont’s Main Street,” offers one of the most celebrated and picturesque fall foliage drives in New England. Spanning over 200 miles through the heart of the Green Mountains, the road is an uninterrupted corridor of stunning autumn colors, typically peaking in the first two weeks of October. A tour along this route takes travelers through quaint, storybook towns, offering far more than just scenic driving; key stops include the covered bridges of Montgomery, the bustling mountain resort town of Stowe (perfect for gondola rides and visiting breweries like The Alchemist), and Waterbury, home to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory and Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
Route: Maine Acadia National Park Loop – Fall Colors Tour
Beginning Point: Hulls Cove Visitor Center, ME (Maine)
Overview: Acadia National Park in Maine is a premier destination for “leaf peeping.” The essential touring experience is the 27-mile Park Loop Road, a scenic drive that links many of the park’s highlights, including the summit of Cadillac Mountain (reservations required during peak season) for stunning panoramic views of the colorful forest and islands. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the autumn splendor by walking the easy, boardwalk-lined Jesup Path through a colorful birch forest or hiking around the reflection-filled waters of Jordan Pond. For a unique perspective, the 57 miles of historic Carriage Roads are perfect for an easy bike ride or stroll, while the coastal Ocean Path provides a constant contrast between the vibrant foliage and the crashing waves at spots like Thunder Hole.
Route: Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Newfound Gap Raod
Beginning Point: Gatlinburg, TN (Tennessee)
Overview: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosts one of the world’s most spectacular and prolonged fall foliage seasons, spanning several weeks due to its dramatic elevation changes. The color change begins at the highest elevations (above 4,000 feet) as early as mid-to-late September, featuring the deep golds and reds of trees like yellow birch and American beech, with viewing best from high-altitude spots like Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome). The peak display then cascades down the slopes, reaching the mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November, where sugar maple, scarlet oak, and hickories create the most widespread and vibrant show across the valleys. The essential fall tour involves driving Newfound Gap Road (US-441) to experience the full gradient of color from high to low elevations, exploring the historic and wildlife-rich Cades Cove Loop Road for valley views, or taking a quieter drive along the stunning overlooks of the Foothills Parkway. With over 100 species of deciduous trees contributing to the display, the park offers a breathtaking natural canvas that lasts for a uniquely long season.
Route: “Tunnel of Trees” – Fall Colors Tour
Beginning Point: Harbor Springs, MI (Michigan)
Overview: The famed “Tunnel of Trees,” a 20-mile stretch of the narrow and winding M-119 Scenic Heritage Route in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Beginning just north of Harbor Springs and ending at Cross Village, the road hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline bluff, with a dense, overhanging canopy of northern hardwoods—including maple, birch, and oak—that transforms into a kaleidoscope of brilliant reds, golds, and oranges. The peak fall foliage for this northern Lower Michigan route typically occurs between late September and mid-October, making this the most popular time to visit, despite the high traffic. Key stops along the scenic, centerline-free road include the historic Good Hart General Store and the eccentric, Polish-themed Legs Inn restaurant in Cross Village, along with numerous overlooks providing stunning views of the colorful forest contrasting with the deep blue of Lake Michigan.
Route: New Mexico Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
Beginning Point: Taos, NM (New Mexico)
Overview: The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in northern New Mexico is an 84-mile loop that offers one of the Southwest’s most spectacular fall color tours, circling the state’s highest peak, Wheeler Peak. The drive, which connects the historic town of Taos with mountain communities like Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire, is renowned for its high-altitude golden display. The foliage, dominated by shimmering groves of aspen trees interspersed with auburn pines, typically reaches its vibrant peak from late September through mid-October, with the exact timing dependent on elevation and weather. Key scenic highlights along the route include the dramatic descent through Bobcat Pass, the sweeping mountain views from Angel Fire Resort, and the contrast of golden cottonwoods along the deep gorge near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Travelers should allow a full day for the drive to stop and explore the historic towns, enjoy a scenic chairlift ride, or hike among the brilliant autumn foliage.
Route: California Eastern Sierra – Fall Colors Tour
Beginning Point: Bishop, CA (California)
Overview: The Eastern Sierra region of California, primarily along Highway 395, is widely considered to host the most magnificent and prolonged fall color display in the Western United States. Unlike the homogeneous color of many forests, the Eastern Sierra offers a dramatic contrast of golden-yellow aspen and cottonwood groves set against rugged gray granite peaks and deep green pine forests. Due to the vast difference in elevation (from 5,000 to nearly 12,000 feet), the color change is a gradual event that begins at the highest elevations in mid-September and slowly descends, often lasting well into November in the lower valleys. Prime viewing is typically found between late September and mid-October. Key scenic drives and locations for “leaf-peeping” include the famous June Lake Loop, the photogenic canyons off of Highway 395 such as Bishop Creek Canyon (leading to North Lake and South Lake), Lundy Canyon, and the roadside panoramas from Convict Lake and Conway Summit.
II. Trains & Gondolas
Gondola: Telluride Gondola
Location: Telluride, CO (Colorado)
Overview: The Telluride Gondola offers an unparalleled, effortless way to experience the spectacular fall foliage, providing a free, 13-minute scenic ride that connects the historic town of Telluride with Mountain Village. As the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the US, it soars above the golden aspen groves and evergreen forests, peaking at an elevation of 10,540 feet to deliver panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains and the valley floor blanketed in vibrant autumn hues. Riders can hop off at San Sophia Station (the mid-point) to access stunning overlooks, fine dining at Allred’s, or connect to several popular hiking trails—such as the Ridge Trail—for an up-close-and-personal walk through the fall colors. To capture the most dramatic views, a ride during sunrise or sunset is highly recommended, as the low light makes the yellow and gold aspen leaves glow against the rugged peaks, particularly during the peak season of late September to early October.
Trains: Cumbres and Toltec Railroad – Fall Colors Tour
Location: Chama, NM (New Mexico)
Overview: The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers one of North America’s premier fall foliage experiences, traversing 64 miles of spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery along the border of Colorado and New Mexico. As the highest and longest authentic steam railroad on the continent, the route takes passengers through remote wilderness—inaccessible by car—where the high-altitude aspen groves transform into brilliant displays of gold, typically peaking from late September to early October. The historic train climbs to the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and winds through mountainsides, deep forests, and spectacular landmarks like the 137-foot Cascade Trestle and the sheer Toltec Gorge. All passengers have access to an Open-Air Gondola Car for unobstructed photographic opportunities and fresh air. With departures from both Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, the full-day excursion includes a hearty lunch at the midway point of Osier Station, making it a highly sought-after, bucket-list adventure to witness the Southwest’s autumn splendor.
III. Weekend Getaways
Location: Stowe, VM (Vermont)
Overview: Stowe, Vermont, is widely regarded as one of New England’s premier destinations for a fall colors weekend getaway, offering a quintessential blend of vibrant foliage and charming small-town activities. The best time to catch the peak colors, dominated by the brilliant reds and golds of maple and birch trees, is typically from late September through the first two weeks of October, though this can vary annually. A perfect itinerary includes driving the incredibly scenic, winding Smugglers’ Notch mountain pass (Route 108) and ascending the state’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, either via the Auto Toll Road or the Gondola SkyRide for breathtaking panoramic views of the forested landscape. Back in the village, visitors can stroll the historic Main Street, walk or bike the Stowe Recreation Path, hunt for covered bridges like the haunted Gold Brook Bridge (Emily’s Bridge), and savor seasonal treats like fresh apple cider and cider donuts at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
Location: Upper Peninsula, MI (Michigan) – Fall Colors Tour
Overview: A perfect weekend getaway for viewing fall colors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) typically revolves around scenic drives, stunning overlooks, and dramatic landscapes, with peak foliage generally occurring between late September and early to mid-October. The U.P. is celebrated for its dense hardwood forests that blaze with brilliant reds, oranges, and golds, creating an unforgettable autumn tapestry.
For a memorable tour, consider focusing on a region like the Western U.P. (Porcupine Mountains & Keweenaw Peninsula) or the Central U.P. (Pictured Rocks & Tahquamenon Falls). Key experiences include driving the Brockway Mountain Drive near Copper Harbor for expansive views of Lake Superior, hiking to the famous Lake of the Clouds Overlook in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, or exploring the sandstone cliffs and waterfalls of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising.