5 Fall Foliage Mountain Destinations for Prime Leaf-Peeping

A trip to the mountains, like Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, gives you optimal views of stunning fall foliage.

Fall is the season when Mother Nature puts her most vibrant, richest colors on display. The stunning oranges, reds and yellows of the changing leaves inspire travel that lets you explore the outdoors. Heading to the mountains will give you the best panoramic views of these sensational landscapes. According to AARP’s 2024 Travel Trends Survey, 63 percent of travelers 50-plus plan to travel only domestically this year, with personal vehicle the most popular mode of transportation. In addition, more travelers in this age group are planning to visit unique or off-the-beaten-path destinations than in the past, which makes mountainside locales with terrific leaf-peeping potential the perfect fall getaway choice.

Expedia notes that fall is a good time for bargain hunters who plan to fly to their destination, as airfare historically drops 10 percent compared to the summer months. Fall is also “shoulder season” for many destinations, with lower rates and thinner crowds than during peak season — yet with nice enough weather to still enjoy the outdoors. The Expedia Fall Travel Outlook predicts the lightest travel dates for fall will be the week of Nov. 10 and Mondays throughout the season. Below, we spotlight five impressive US Mountain region locations to enjoy fall foliage.

Tip: If you plan to visit a national park this fall, don’t forget about free entrance days, which include Sept. 28 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). Also, note that adults 62-plus, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a fourth grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

Lake Tahoe — encompassing a group of towns and small cities in California and Nevada — is divided into north and south regions. North Lake Tahoe has a quieter, more relaxed feel than South Lake Tahoe — one of Expedia’s top five trending domestic fall destinations, based on lodging search — which is busier and offers many nightlife and entertainment options. Some of the top spots for checking out colorful leaves include Hope Valley, Spooner Lake and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

Where to stay: Palisades Tahoe has eight outdoor hot tubs, rooms with mountain views, and an aerial tram ride that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the breathtaking panoramic landscapes. Coachman Hotel just finished a multimillion-dollar renovation and is within easy walking distance of both the Heavenly Mountain Resort and Lakeside Beach, a private beach accessible to hotel guests. Harveys Lake Tahoe has gambling, shows and restaurants — including the newly opened Wolf by Vanderpump, where you can enjoy one of the exclusive signature cocktails.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge is perhaps best known as the home of Dollywood — which many consider a must-visit attraction when you’re in the area. But it’s also where you can explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most biodiverse park in the national park system (no entrance fee; parking tags — which start at $5 per day — are required for vehicles parking longer than 15 minutes). You can explore nature and take in the fall foliage and mountain vistas with your choice of hikes or drives.

Where to stay: Staybridge Suites Pigeon Forge is a pet-friendly hotel with suites that include fully equipped kitchens and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort is a 20-minute drive from Pigeon Forge, is close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and boasts a resort-style pool with a slide and lazy river. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort is Dollywood’s newest resort, where guests get priority access to its parks, among other exclusive perks, and many of the suites include balconies.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

The Shenandoah Valley runs between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains and is known for its beautiful landscapes and quaint small towns. Shenandoah County features an assortment of parks, the George Washington National Forest, hiking trails and great scenic drives. Shenandoah National Park (standard pass costs $15-$30) is among the top eight fall foliage destinations by search volume, according to Priceline. If you’re in the mood for a road trip, this is also where you can hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway — known as “America’s Favorite Scenic Drive” — which covers 469 miles of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee (traveling near Pigeon Forge, one of the other destinations on our list).

Where to stay: Peaks of Otter Lodge is surrounded by the three Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing mountain landscapes and easy access to hiking trails. Massanutten Resort caters to adventure lovers, with its indoor-outdoor water parks and adventure park. If you want to take a scenic drive along the West Virginia border, head a few hours southwest and stay at Mountain Lake Lodge, situated on a 2,600-acre nature preserve and recognizable to movie buffs as the resort where Dirty Dancing was filmed.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe — which has proclaimed itself “fall’s color capital” — is also on Priceline’s list of top fall foliage destinations. The city’s terrain includes mountains, hillsides and valleys, so you’ll get different views depending on your exact location and the timing of your visit. In addition to the foliage display, fall in Stowe is a great time to paddle the river, bike the trails, do some fishing or attend a festival. The terrain in Stowe, Vermont, includes mountains, hillsides and valleys, so you’ll get different views depending on your location.

Where to stay: One of the area’s newest lodging options is Outbound Stowe, which has direct access to Stowe’s Recreation Path, fire pits for group gatherings and a variety of accommodation types including loft suites and cabins. If you like the serenity of alone time, AWOL Stowe is a peaceful retreat away from the crowds but still within a short distance of attractions. Field Guide Lodge, on the other hand, is centrally located in the middle of downtown and an easy walk from biking trails and shopping.

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

The Poconos are the perfect place for enjoying brilliant autumn colors because Pennsylvania has the longest and most diverse fall foliage season in the country. Jim Thorpe — a picturesque mountainside town known as “Little Switzerland of America” — is a popular spot that offers gorgeous views, train rides, whitewater rafting, museums and boutiques. If it rains and you need to stay indoors, you can hit the outlet stores or play the slots and see a show at the nearby casino resorts.

Where to stay: The Inn at Jim Thorpe boasts old-world charm, is within walking distance of shops, museums and the train station, and has onsite spa services. Skytop Lodge sits on top of a natural landscape spanning 5,500 acres and has a treetop adventure course, golf, tennis, boating and other outdoor activities. The Harry Packer Mansion Inn is an Italianate Victorian house that inspired Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion and is outfitted with period antiques and furnishings.

By Bobbi Dempsey, aarp.org