These Are the Least-Crowded Towns In Northern United States To Catch Fall Foliage
It is no secret that the northern part of the great country catches the fall fever first, with the most evident symptoms through its state parks and mountainous foothills. With rivers and lakes throughout, you can enjoy an unbeatable kaleidoscope of colors via fun recreational trails and reflections in the water. Immerse yourself in an autumn haze for days on a backpacking trip, with these towns welcoming you after for hot cider, theater performances, and tons of local culture and history through museums.
Autumn sets the stage in the second half of September through many states, with warm and dry weather in the first half of fall coinciding with the debut in early October, so you can catch the spectacle from your city. With trees like vine maples, all-other maples, larch, and aspen turning to hues of yellow, orange, and red, the fiery shades stand vibrantly against the evergreens in the fall foliage display that is both rich and varied.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, where the mountains meet the sea—a nearly perfect year-round destination—makes a beautiful fall transition. The quaint streets are a joy to the eye, peaking through staple Maine foliage with the most vibrant displays through early October. You can meet the sunrise on a hike up the colorful Mount Cadillac and the sunset taking a dip into the sea along the shore, or take a dinner cruise at this blissful time of the day. From the town's own Shore Path for strolls in the stunning flora to the pier, a quick ride Cranberry Islands-bound offers its own unique vegetation. Neighboring downtown, Frenchman Bay is one of the best ways to get foliage views from the ocean.
At the gateway to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert, you can paddle to this nation's top leaf-peeper's paradise, complete with 45 miles of carriage roads of never-ending foliage views and iconic stone bridges. After you summit North Bubble, take another 2.6-mile hike around the dressed-up Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake in Acadia and back. The family-friendly Great Head Trail is a 1.7-mile moderate loop with scenic views of Beehive, Sand Beach, and unbelievable pink granite cliffs, while the Beehive Trail, with an exposed iron-rung climb, is a 1.9-mile advanced loop with views beyond Sand Beach and Great Head for real adventurers.
Calumet, Michigan
The historic Calumet is a Keweenaw Peninsula town tucked away in the western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Ensconced by Lake Superior views, it awaits the leaf-peeping adventurers at the Keweenaw National Historic Park with trees of gold and yellow. A world-class outdoor destination with endless miles of hiking and biking trails extends to the secluded shoreline, where the waves crash onto the beaches in a sensory overload. From there, a boat ride to the majestic Isle Royale National Park offers even more tranquility and adventure.
Once an important hub for the copper mining industry, the town's old architecture reveals the long-time history of life along the peninsula, while the traditional pasty, part of modern-day culture, is the unofficial food of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Adventure North. With nearly the whole town comprising its two National Historic Districts and the whole peninsula under spectacular fall foliage, you can start your Adventure North right from downtown over the local treat. Just a quick drive northeast to Queen Anne's Falls or north to Black Creek Nature Sanctuary will immerse you in autumn at its most beautiful and serene!
Copper Harbor, Michigan
The US-41, aka "Tree Tunnel," a literally jaw-dropping road in the fall, brings you into Copper Harbor, another of the Keweenaw Peninsula gems. The small town really reveals the colors behind its name, which can rival anywhere else in the country during this scenic season! Home to mixed woodlands of various deciduous trees in fiery hues and bright notes of the abundant coniferous species, it is a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors in every way. The magnificent estranged land jutting out into the immense Lake Superior keeps its own "micro-climate," different from just 30 miles south with less severe temperatures thanks to the lake.
Right at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Copper Harbor is the state's northernmost community, where fall descends about two weeks after it touches 100 miles south, in northern Wisconsin, or along the northern Lower Peninsula. With plenty of time to catch the changing leaves "red-handed" from the end of September to the peak approaching around mid-October, it is time to start packing. The deep, dark blue waters reflecting the town's colorful backdrop make your perusal pleasures some of the loveliest autumn afternoons of your life. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park nearby, fantastic for leaf-peeping through all kinds of trees, is strewn with historic sights, while a few miles down the peninsula, Mt. Bohemia Ski Resort reveals hilltop forest views via lifts that open in autumn.
Ely, Minnesota
This tiny town just a few miles south of the Canadian border, entirely submerged in the ocean of forests of northern Minnesota, offers plenty of ways to enjoy the autumn foliage. Ely's famed Boundary Waters Canoe Area stays crowd-free in the fall for a unique chance to paddle against the fiery backdrop. Nature's colors here are most vibrant against the waters as they shift from summertime verdancy into oranges, auburns, and deep reds.
This off-the-beaten-path town with unspoiled nature's touch is a real outdoor enthusiast's paradise that stays pristine for crowd-free leaf-peeping during the peak fall foliage as we speak. New Tomahawk Road and Fernberg Road are scenic drives for sheltered leaf peeping along the tree-lined areas, which host habitat for bears and moose, among other wildlife you may see.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
This quirky, artsy town along the immense Lake Superior shoreline—the largest freshwater lake in the world—may be just a dot, fit with a grand personality. Bursting vibrantly in autumn colors, Grand Marais is spectacular from late September through early October. The adorable, historic town with logging and fishing still relevant hosts a rich cultural scene that will charm you in between the enchanting nature ventures.
With Superior National Forest breathing in from behind, it beckons all-level adventurers, like the challenging hike up Oberg Mountain or the easily gorgeous Artist Point, for the best way to end the day at sunset. From the foliage-laden forest trails to panoramic views from the summit overlooking Lake Superior's area, the crisp autumn air will clear your city-sooted lungs. With mostly clear skies through the fall, don't save the drive down the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway just for a rainy day while a chance storm reveals the lake's dramatic side. The unreplicable Grand Marais Lighthouse hosts its own unique atmosphere on a spit that juts into the lake.
Joseph, Oregon
As one of the North's most fall-worthy towns, Joseph sits ensconced in mountain views, making it among the least-crowded towns in Oregon. Tranquil through the leaf-peeping season with only 1,238 locals, the town fascinates from the doorstep under the fall foliage of the Wallowa Mountains. You can soak in the colorful outdoors in shades of red, yellow, and orange via adventures for any level, like in-depth, on a hike into Wallowa Lake State Park.
With many trails through the meadows, you can meander endlessly for different scenery and wonders, like the spectacular views from the Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site on your way to Wallowa Lake just south, with its own recreational areas. Wallowa Lake Tramway is a must-take experience from late May to early October, while the Wallowa County Museum, Wallowa County Farmers' Market, and Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will keep foliage hunters busy in between!
La Grande, Oregon
Part of the Blue Mountain Scenic Corridor and State Park, with Anthony Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness, and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area nearby, this Eastern Oregon hideaway town enjoys low crowds in the fall. With spectacular places to seek nature dressed in autumn color and fantastic hotspots for fall-worthy pursuits, gear up at Blue Mountain Outfitters with the tagline "Do cool stuff in Eastern Oregon" after your morning stop just up the street from the Liberty Theatre Cafe. The burgeoning art community and Eastern Oregon University bestow a casual, lively vibe through leisurely recreation like concerts, plays, and art exhibits post-nature, as well as studio tours and Third Thursday gallery events.
From the family-friendly Oregon Trail Interpretive Park at Blue Mountain Crossing to the relaxing Riverside Green, Hilgard Junction State Park offers in-depth trails for the most avid. Red Bridge State Wayside and Riverside Park beckon the water fans, and the awe-inspiring natural landscapes of Morgan Lake Park are a few minutes away for afternoon picnics and fishing. Mount Emily Recreation Area is great for all-day nature walks and motorized trails overlooking the foliage-ridden Grande Ronde Valley. The iconic Side A Brewery downtown, part of the historic La Grande Firehouse, serves famous Oregon Fog over grass-fed beef burgers amid historical photos and artifacts from the Eastern Oregon Fire Museum, also in town. Let the fun times roll on a stroll in the surrounding Wallowa Mountain views to the Union County Museum, the Elgin Opera House, and the Elgin Museum & Historical Society.
Lenox, Massachusetts
Lenox, one of the top 25 US cities to spot fall foliage, according to Reader's Digest, is also one of the North's less visited towns in the autumn. With colors appearing in late September and peaking in early October, both Kennedy Park and Mount Greylock State Reservation, with dazzling reds, yellows, and greens, are ablaze right now! From hiking and biking to kayaking, the downtown greets you back with a blend of heritage, plenty of shopping, and entertainment for all.
Lenox, the only town listed in Massachusetts, bursts with nature and culture in the Berkshires for antiquing, gallery visits, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra performances! Crowning the East Coast town along the rolling hills, the quaint inns welcome you to explore outward when the leaves start shifting. The pond and trail system in the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is most sensitive under the falltime touch, while Kennedy Park changes in colors in front of your eyes in the crisp air, with different shades by not day but hour!
Mackenzie Bridge, Oregon
This only community between Blue River and Sisters along the McKenzie Highway, named for the stream, was a favorite Native's camping spot to fish, hunt deer, and pick huckleberries and an important historic stop on a crossing of the McKenzie River. With several stores, small fishing resorts, and cabins along the river, St. Benedict Lodge is a religious retreat and church for the Benedictine monks, established in 1940. The town deep within the Willamette National Forest, with the nearby Tokatee Golf Course, Cougar Reservoir, and Clear Lake, offers year-round recreational fun, along with river boating, rafting, and kayaking.
Coming alive in the autumn thanks to abundant native maple trees, there are many picture-perfect scenes to leaf peep for! The sectioned McKenzie River Trail, ranging from two to over 20-mile hikes, some parallel to the river views along the waterway, is spectacular and crowdless. Enjoy serenity while world-class fly fishing for trout in the crisp air under the vibrant red leaves draped over the McKenzie River. After the two-mile roundtrip to Tamolitch Blue Pool, an easy-moderate hike along the McKenzie River, the town's cozy lodges at the foot of the mountains offer the peaceful seclusion of your desire.
Sisters, Oregon
This West Coast town at the feet of the dramatic Cascade Range Mountains transforms into a rustic wonderland come autumn. Cloaked in quaking aspens and without crowds, you can explore the peaceful yellow haze, stark against the surrounding evergreens and peaks. From the lush riverside strolls and relaxation with views of the reflecting foliage in the water to the nearby family-owned ranches, there are also plentiful, unique stores and restaurants. With cafes like Sisters Coffee Company, you can enjoy an aromatic cup of hot cider at the Three Creeks Plaza and the falling leaves in the crispy breeze.
There's plentiful accommodation during peak foliage from mid-September to early October, with outdoor activities right at your doorstep. The in-town Park & View of the Central Oregon Mountains, Sisters Park, and the trails that splice the northern section expand outwards with deciduous trees. Just south, Peterson Ridge Mountain Bike Trails take you on boundless adventures with mountain views, like further down to the Chipmunk Mountain hiking trail. For a blast on the town at Sisters Art Works Gallery or dinner at the most popular Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill, you can unwind over drinks at Three Creeks Brewing in a relaxed atmosphere with your loved ones!
Snowmass Village, Colorado
This picturesque town exchanges its bluebird skies and wildflowers for swaths of glittering gold leaves in the crisp mountain air come fall. With phenomenal transformation peaking mid-September through October along the endless trails weaving through the state's most stunning aspen groves in central Colorado, the must-hikes here are the Rim Trail and Tom Blake Trail. For a vibrant day spent, the Crater Lake Trail winds through two beautiful, dressed-up high-alpine lakes in fall colors.
With easy access just west of Aspen, the breathtaking Snowmass Village takes your breath away without crowds and cheaper amenities at the base of the Rocky Mountains—a destination for year-round recreation. Its ubiquitous aspen trees shift into bright yellows amidst fluttering green pines and oranges, with a hint of red, for one spectacular scene within your grasp. A backpacking trip is a great way to capture various scenes and get in the real spirit of the season to get the most out of your leaf-peeping mission.
These eleven towns coming alive in the fall die down in crowds, leaving the picture-perfect scenery for your sole enjoyment in a close group. The clear sights in the crisp air of the breathtaking hillside panoramas and occasional stormy days along the shores will turn you into an emotional crybaby. With a slower pace and something for everyone in the autumnal haze, you can unwind in nature from your doorstep with riverfront parks and scenery-adorned downtowns. It doesn't get easier than this, in the scenic season of fall, to add vibrancy to your city life and feed your nature-starved soul with spectacular sights over easygoing recreation and adventures.
