Beyond New England: The Best Fall Foliage Destinations

Temperatures are cooling. Bikinis are being swapped for sweaters. Pumpkin spice lattes are back. That’s right: fall is right around the corner – and that means that certain US destinations are being treated to an explosion of color, as leaves change from green to vibrant hues of gold, orange, red, and yellow. In New England, visitors spend more than $3 billion annually in pursuit of fall foliage. But the area isn’t the only game in town – far from it. Here are some can’t-miss leaf-peeping escapes this autumn.

Estes Park, CO :

• Nestled between Roosevelt National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park offers ample hiking trails through colorful aspen groves and lakes for prime autumn photography opportunities, as well as hiking, cycling and backpacking adventures.
• Cliff Camping: View the beautiful fall foliage in Rocky Mountain National Park – from up to 500 feet off of the ground. Kent Mountain Adventure Center offers cliff camping experiences where guests enjoy the views of Estes Park from a portaledge (can also be arranged as a picnic on a ledge).
• “Tail”gate: Visitors can enjoy the golden leaves in Rocky Mountain National Park while listening to nature’s soundtrack – the elk bugle. Every October, the town of Estes Park experiences a population boom unlike any other when its 3,000 elk “residents” partake in their fall tradition, “the rut.”

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (October 3-11): Nearly 750,000 visitors will descend on Albuquerque, New Mexico for the world’s largest hot air ballooning event. This can’t-miss fall event is the most photographed event in the world. For nine days, the New Mexico skies are painted as 700 balloons lift off from Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park. It's been a staple in Albuquerque for over three decades and brings the smell of roasting chiles and the beautiful moving picture show of hot air balloons drifting through the skies.

• You don’t have to get rural to enjoy fall foliage in Toronto. Experience beautiful fall foliage in the city – while making a maple leaf. The Maple Leaf bar crawl takes you to seven different bars to make the shape of Canada’s signature maple leaf.

• Studies show that immersing yourself in nature promotes positive emotions. This fall, specialists at the Allegria Spa at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek will lead you on a 90-minute hike in the Rocky Mountains, taking in the splendor of gorgeous aspen leaves as they change from green to red to bright orange. Following the hike, visitors will have their choice of treatments at the award-winning spa and have access to the divine Aqua Sanitas.
• To complete the experience, guests have their option of two clay-based spa treatments – either the Jurlique Intense Recovery Mask or SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask – at the renowned Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. 

• Terry Bison Ranch, located on nearly 30,000 acres of rolling countryside spotted with more than 3,500 bison, offers fall horseback tours for groups of all sizes. Guests can choose the length and type of trail ride before setting out with a Wrangler to take in the changing colors and crisp weather on an excursion that lasts anywhere from one hour up to a full day.

• There’s no better way to experience Utah’s beautiful and ever changing scenery, wildlife and amazing sunsets than on Powder Mountain’s Fall Safari. Climb aboard a Powzilla or Ski Rex rock crawler for a guided, all mountain tour through Powder Mountain’s spectacular 10,000+ acres with expansive and inspiring views of the Ogden Valley, the Great Salt Lake, Uinta Mountains, Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada.

• The Four Seasons’ guided fall adventures feature expert guides, who will show you secret foliage locations throughout the Vail Valley via hiking, biking, climbing or even fly-fishing. (Guests can also take a llama along for the hike to carry your lunch – a family favorite.)
• There’s no better way to experience the beauty of fall in the mountains than with a drink in hand at The Remedy, Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail’s brand new bar & lounge. With a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows displaying commanding, uninterrupted mountain views, guests will be surrounded with eye-popping fall color as they sip their custom cocktails. For those looking to brave the crisp autumn air, an expansive patio will welcome guests as an ideal spot for relaxing outdoors, complete with large, custom fire pits to stay warm.

• Fall Biking Tours: The Viceroy is offering guided biking experiences throughout the fall – one of the best ways to whizz through the stunning, aspen-tree laden mountain-scape. The biking pros will provide custom trips that make the most of each guests preferred foliage routes.

• Evening with the Elk (Offered September to early October): Evening with the Elk presents the unique opportunity to listen in on one of Grand Teton National Park’s most spectacular animals during breeding season, while viewing the beautiful changing of the leaves.