Fall Foliage, Crisp Air, and General Autumn Splendor: 8 National Parks Perfect For a Fall Getaway
I seem to always get a bit busy this time of year. Work is slammed and weekends never provide a break. Weekend time that should have been spent relaxing and recovering from an active week, instead become an opportunity to check stuff off the to-do list. It is in these rushed periods that I must remind myself to head outdoors in order to put everything back into perspective.
Take an opportunity in this busy season to take advantage of the spectacular colors of the autumn season in our national parks. And though it’s certainly hard to narrow down the best in fall park getaways, there are some highlights that should be recognized.
National Parks Perfect For a Fall Getaway
1. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia
I am, of course, biased because I grew up about 45 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and was a frequent parkway traveler. The views of the fall leaves are truly memorable. While you can drive it, there are also plenty of hiking trails as well in order to truly step away from civilization for a moment or two. Consider the Peaks of Otter, once hiked by Thomas Jefferson himself or dramatic Grandfather Mountain outside of Asheville. The Blue Ridge Parkway itself is a 469 mile corridor that links the Shenandoah with the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll find seven campsites on the parkway each priced at about $16 per night.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
This is a great park to visit this time of year because the fall foliage lasts late into November and the weather is still mild and just a bit crisp. The colors in the Smokies vary by elevation, and they are spectacular because there are more than 100 species of trees in the park. According to the National Parks Service, the fall color display usually reaches its peak at mid and lower elevations between mid-October and early November. The park itself has no entrance fee but if you’re planning on camping overnight the fee ranges from $14 to $23 per night.
3. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia
The Chattahoochee River in North Georgia is a National Recreation Area that contains a total of 50 miles of hiking trails, numerous picnic areas, canoe, kayak, and raft rentals. While some years it’s warm enough to float the river during fall foliage, it truly depends on the weather. The fall foliage can be lovely here at the end of October. Fees to the park are $3.00 and this is a day trip.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Of course anywhere in the North East is going to boast spectacular fall foliage. Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine, contains endless views of its rugged Atlantic coastline. Acadia was the first National Park established east of the Mississippi River, according to the National Park Service. The park is also home to the tallest mountain on the eastern coastline. Don’t leave without visiting the beautiful Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Camping is available throughout the park. Blackwoods Campground is $20 from May 1 to October 31, $10 in April and November, and free from December 1 to March 31. Seawall Campground is $14 for a walk-in and $20 if you drive-in (when open).
5. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park is a cave system situated on part of the Green River Valley in south central Kentucky. This is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 367 miles explored, according to the Web site. The visual range from the Green River Valley is approximately 15 miles and overlooks a massive upland hardwood forest. After your cave exploration, enjoy wide open spaces and fall foliage. Campgrounds range in price from $17 to $40 per night.
6. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is home to the 65-foot Brandywine Falls. But the lesser known prize is the Virginia Kendall Ledges plateau in the southeast corner of the park. The only camping in the park is a backcountry campground for hikers and bikers, about a half-mile walk from parking along the Towpath Trail. Camping is by reservation only. Each campsite is $15.00 per day.
7. Yosemite National Park, California
“The best of everything is in Yosemite Valley, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan,” says park ranger Scott Gediman. Fall is a great time to visit Yosemite because it’s less crowded. According to Gediman, to avoid the remaining crowds, follow the Tioga Road through Tuolumne Meadows and follow a hiking trail to Elizabeth Lake, Gaylor Lakes, or other alpine lakes on the eastern side of the park. Some of the best camping is found in small first-come first-served sites such as Yosemite Creek Campground at a cost of about $20 per night.
8. Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee
The Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Go canoeing on one of the best whitewater rivers in the eastern United States or get your adrenaline pumping rock climbing on one of their sandstone face rocks. Go hiking along the Lilly Bluff Overlook Trail and view the river from a boardwalk overlook that is over 200 feet above the river. Visiting the Obed Wild and Scenic River is free for everyone. However, there is a $7 fee for those wishing to camp overnight at the Rock Creek Campground.
