Best National Parks for Fall Foliage

Best National Parks for Fall Foliage Around the World

With the fall season comes the vibrant display of nature’s true beauty. Around the world, mountains, valleys, and forests erupt in bright colors, blanketing the landscape in dazzling shades of red, yellow, and orange. Needless to say, it’s an incredibly magical time of the year, one that deserves to be experienced and explored—easy to accomplish at the best national parks for fall foliage!

While there are countless national parks across the globe that you can visit for views of fall foliage, there are a few destinations that stand out from the rest. From the most popular spot in New England to the far reaches of China and Japan, here are the best national parks for fall foliage.

Shades of amber, gold, violet, orange, and violet turn many national parks into a postcard-worthy forest of fall foliage. You’re going to love visiting the parks below for a little leaf peeping! Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links that, when you click to make a purchase, help me earn a small commission at no cost to you. 

Where Are the Best Places to Travel for Fall Foliage?

Many countries around the world offer the opportunity to experience fall, but fall foliage is most prominent among those that lie farther away from the equator. While the United States and Canada are two popular destinations for leaf-peeping, countries in north-central Europe and Asia also experience fall. In addition to this, a few countries in the southern hemisphere, including Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand, offer fall foliage during their autumn season, which begins in March.

The Best National Parks for Fall Foliage

While many destinations experience fall, these six national parks offer some of the best foliage in the world.

Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

The United States, particularly New England, is known worldwide for its fall foliage. And while it’s true you can experience fall in several national parks throughout the country, Acadia National Park is one of the best for fall colors.

Located on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, the park is home to nearly 50,000 acres of protected land that blossoms with color during the autumn months. Set this against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, and you have incredible views that are bound to leave you breathless! If you’d like to take in all the sites at once, be sure to travel along the Park Loop Road. This 27-mile scenic drive provides lookout points for the park’s most stunning landscapes.

Pro Tip: While you’re in the area, take some time to visit Bar Harbor. This small town is known for hosting several fall events, including an Oktoberfest craft fair and a night sky festival.

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Canada is one of the best places to travel in fall, and Banff National Park is a popular destination for those in search of outstanding foliage. Situated along the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff is an impressive national park that is most famous for its majestic mountains and stunning alpine lakes. It also happens to be home to several groves of rare alpine larch trees.

Found only in northwestern North America, these trees are one of few coniferous trees to change colors during the autumn months, turning a vibrant shade of yellow. If you’d like to see them up close, be sure to check out Larch Valley hike, the park’s most popular fall time hike. This 5.4-mile out-and-back trail winds through several groves of larch trees, providing incredible views of the foliage and surrounding landscape. Learn more about Banff here.

Pro Tip: If you have a car, consider exploring the Icefields Parkway. Rated one of the best drives in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, this road travels 144 miles through the Canadian Rockies towards Jasper National Park, offering incredible views of the fall foliage.

Nikko National Park, Kantō, Japan

Japan may be known for its springtime cherry blossoms, but the country also explodes with color during the autumn season. While fall foliage can be seen across the nation’s islands, one of the most popular destinations for leaf-peeping is Nikko National Park. Located just outside Tokyo, Nikko is a culturally sacred site home to majestic mountains, stunning waterfalls, pristine lakes, and several important temples and shrines.

During the fall, this entire area becomes blanketed in vivid fall colors that make for incredibly scenic views. One of the best ways to take in these sights is via the Nasu Ropeway. Traveling up Mount Chausu, the tallest mountain peak in the area and the only active volcano, this cable car offers 360-degree views of the park’s stunning landscape.

Pro Tip: If you can, schedule your visit to line up with Toshogu Shrine’s Autumn Grand Festival. Held in mid-October, this nearby celebration features a variety of cultural displays, including a parade of over 1,000 samurai warriors.

Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, Slovenia

There are several countries in Europe that are known for their fall foliage, but one off-the-beaten-path destination that is often overlooked is Slovenia. Situated in Central Europe, along the Julian Alps, Slovenia is home to vast areas of forests, mountains, and valleys, many of which erupt with color during the autumn season. While you can find fall foliage throughout the country, Triglav National Park is one of the best national parks for fall foliage and a favorite spot for leaf-peepers.

As the only national park in Slovenia, Triglav offers the opportunity to glimpse several incredible landscapes, including the country’s largest lake, Lake Bohinj. For stunning views overlooking this lake and its surrounding foliage, you can choose from a few different hikes. Peč Viewpoint is an easy one-mile hike that’s quite popular, while Vogar is a more steep 3.7-mile hike that also offers access to several preserved cultural huts.

Pro Tip: For additional fall views, stop by Lake Bled on your way to or from Triglav. Here, you can hop aboard a boat and take in the fall foliage from the middle of the lake.

Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, Sichuan, China

China may not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a fall vacation, but it should certainly be one you consider! In fact, autumn is thought to be the best time to visit the country, given its moderate temperatures and colorful landscapes. Anywhere you go during this time of the year is sure to be spectacular, but if you want a truly unforgettable experience, add Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park to your itinerary.

Located in Central China, Jiuzhaigou Valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site home to snow-capped mountains, blue-green lakes, cascading waterfalls, and several traditional Tibetan villages. If you’d like to take in the various landscapes here, be sure to check out the Long Lake hike. This 9.6-mile hike winds through the forest, passing by several waterfalls and lakes, including Long Lake, which is especially beautiful in the fall.

Pro Tip: If you’re interested in witnessing a cultural experience, time your visit to fall during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Held throughout China, this celebration features parades, dragon dances, and lantern-lighting ceremonies.

National Parks & Unforgettable Fall Foliage

The fall truly is a magical time of the year that brings with it vibrant and colorful scenery. There’s no better way to experience it all than by visiting a national park! Whether you find yourself exploring the golden mountains of Canada, the seaside landscapes of Maine, the colorful islands of Japan, the stunning lakes of Slovenia, or the magnificent waterfalls of China, you’re sure to have an inspiring and unforgettable time when you know the best national parks for fall foliage.

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