Seeing fall foliage is a cherished tradition, but why wait until October? While many people think they have to delay their leaf-peeping until autumn is in full swing, there are hidden gems across America where the leaves begin to turn as early as mid-September.
Gunther VW Coconut Creek ran a survey of 3,000 respondents, asking them to recommend, based on personal experiences, their favorite routes to witness early fall foliage. The top 10 were as follows:
#1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
In first place, the higher elevations of the Smokies, particularly around Newfound Gap, begin to show fall colors in mid-September.
#2 Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park, particularly along Skyline Drive came second, and start to display fall colors in mid-September.
#3 Catskill Mountains, New York
The Catskills, located just north of New York City, start to display vibrant fall colors by mid-September, with scenic drives and hikes offering beautiful views.
#4 Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Virginia
Located in southwestern Virginia, this area sees early fall foliage, with vibrant colors appearing in mid-September.
#5 Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts
This scenic byway in fifth offers early fall colors, with views of the northern hardwoods and river valleys turning by mid-September.
#6 Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest, Georgia
In North Georgia, the higher elevations of the Chattahoochee National Forest begin showing fall colors by mid-September.
#7 North Cascades National Park, Washington
The North Cascades see early fall foliage, with golden larches and vibrant maples appearing by mid-September.
#8 Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania
The Poconos in northeastern Pennsylvania are known for early fall colors, with peak foliage often occurring in mid-September.
#9 Apalachicola National Forest, Florida
This large forest near Tallahassee starts to display fall colors in late September, particularly along its scenic trails.
#10 Arcadia National Park, Maine
And rounding up the top ten, Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, begins to showcase its stunning fall colors by mid-September. The park’s diverse landscape, including coastal cliffs, granite peaks, and hardwood forests, comes alive with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.
The poll revealed two Oklahoma locations for early fall foilage viewing:
#50 Talimena Scenic Drive
This scenic byway along the Oklahoma-Arkansas border is known for its early fall colors, with the Ouachita Mountains displaying vibrant hues by mid-September.
#86 Beavers Bend State Park
Located in southeastern Oklahoma, Beavers Bend starts to show fall colors in mid-September, with hardwoods and pines creating a picturesque landscape.
Infographic showing the top 100 locations for seeing early fall foliage
“Experiencing the magic of fall foliage is a tradition that many cherish, and these early fall foliage spots offer the perfect opportunity to hit the road and immerse yourself in nature’s seasonal spectacle.” says Joseph Gunther IV of Gunther VW Coconut Creek.
Get Local News!
