September into the heart of November are incredible favorite months in the National Park System. The days aren’t quite as long as they are in July and August, but the bugs and crowds are on the wane, wildlife is on the move, and the crisp night air is perfect for sleeping under the stars, or in a cozy cabin.
Fall arguably is also the most colorful season of the year in the bulk of the park system, whether you head east or west. From Acadia National Park in Maine south through Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina and even down into Alabama at Little River Canyon National Preserve, the varying hues of gold, umber, and rouge blend with the dwindling greens of maples, beech, oaks, and other hardwood species.
Experience fall in our Eastern national parks slowly cruising Skyline Drive in Shenandoah or along the Blue Ridge Parkway to catch the seasonal fireworks, or perhaps pedal one last time around the Carriage Roads in Acadia. You could forego the fanciful foliage for Cape Hatteras or Cape Lookout national seashores on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, anxious for the run of King mackerel, bluefish, or striped bass.
Western parks aren’t left out of this autumnal exuberance by any means, but by early October they’re at their peak. Glades of aspen turn to gold and maples add red splashes to the mountainsides, offset wonderfully by the spruce, pines, and firs. And there’s always the chance for a dusting of snow for added contrast.
But those are just two regions in the National Park System. This fall maybe you should consider a Midwestern vacation to one of the four national lakeshores that dot the Great Lakes. From Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks to Indiana Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes, these four watery gems of the park system are great destinations for one last hurrah before winter’s arrival.
To see where you can experience the best of fall in the national parks, add this Essential Park guide to your national park library for just $1.99.
