Down through the years I’ve spent my autumn days camped out on the shores of Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, in Big Meadow Lodge at Shenandoah National Park, in the Curry Village at Yosemite National Park, and cruising through the basement of Bryce Canyon National Park on the Under-the-Rim Trail.

September into the heart of November are my favorite months in the National Park System. The days aren’t quite as long as they are in July and August, but the bugs and crowds are on the wane, wildlife is on the move, and the crisp night air is perfect for sleeping under the stars, or in a cozy cabin.

Fall arguably is also the most colorful season of the year in the bulk of the park system, whether you head east or west. From Acadia National Park in Maine south through Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina and even down into Alabama at Little River Canyon National Preserve, the varying hues of gold, umber, and rouge blend with the dwindling greens of maples, beech, oaks, and other hardwood species.

Experience fall in our Eastern national parks slowly cruising Skyline Drive in Shenandoah or along the Blue Ridge Parkway to catch the seasonal fireworks, or perhaps pedal one last time around the Carriage Roads in Acadia. You could forego the fanciful foliage for Cape Hatteras or Cape Lookout national seashores on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, anxious for the run of King mackerel, bluefish, or striped bass.

Western parks aren’t left out of this autumnal exuberance by any means, but by early October they’re at their peak. Glades of aspen turn to gold and maples add red splashes to the mountainsides, offset wonderfully by the spruce, pines, and firs. And there’s always the chance for a dusting of snow for added contrast.

But those are just two regions in the National Park System. This fall maybe you should consider a Midwestern vacation to one of the four national lakeshores that dot the Great Lakes. From Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks to Indiana Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes, these four watery gems of the park system are great destinations for one last hurrah before winter’s arrival.

In the days and weeks ahead we’ll take a look at lakeshore fall vacations, point out where to see wildlife, and touch on some of the season’s best colors. We will even supply a schedule of events so you can properly plan your trip. So don’t call an end to your 2015 travels just yet. There are plenty more park experiences to enjoy!

You can dive right into our Essential Guide now, enjoy it a bite at a time as we roll out the articles in the weeks and months ahead, or order a digital ($2.99) or print ($14.99, with digital included) copy from Magcloud (details below). This cover photo from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore surely will become a collector's item. For a print of the photo itself, see page 4 for ordering.

~ Kurt Repanshek 

Essential Park Guide, Fall 2015

By Kurt Repanshek in National Park Advocates, LLC

50 pages, published 8/14/2015

Your Essential Guide for exploring the National Park System this fall, from the national lakeshores to where to see the best fall foliage.