Where Can You Find the Best Fall Foliage In the National Park System? Here Are Ten Contenders

Published Date

October 9, 2009

Taking fall photos at Acadia National Park can be like shooting fish in a barrel. Of course, it helps if you're a pro, like QT Luong, who gave us permission to use this shot. www.terragalleria.com/parks

Where do you go to digitally capture fall colors in the National Park System? The National Park Foundation released a list of the Top 10 parks for fall color the other day, and there are some old stalwarts, and some upstarts as well!

Here's the foundation's list of most photogenic parks, with estimated time frames for peak foliage colors:

* Acadia National Park -- Peak colors are expected now through October 15, so you better hurry!

* Cuyahoga Valley National Park -- The show should be on now and continue through month's end.

* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area -- Fall's peak kaleidoscopic show should end here around October 17.

* Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- Here the peak is expected to arrive the last two weeks of October.

* Mississippi National River and Recreation Area -- Due to its location in Minnesota, not Mississippi, it should come as no surprise that the show should be mostly over by mid-month.

* New River Gorge National River -- This slice of West Virginia heaven is expected to enjoy its peak fall finery during the third week of October.

* Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore -- With winter's bite soon to be sweeping across Lake Michigan, the fall foliage peak should begin this weekend and run for 10 days.

* Saratoga National Historic Park -- As with Indiana Dunes, you better visit this site soon if you want to see the peak colors, as they're expected to be gone by weekend No. 3.

* Valley Forge National Historical Park -- Fall's peak daubs of color aren't expected to arrive before the last two weeks of October.

Now, if you do manage to visit one of these colorful destinations, and capture some great photos, you just might want to enter them into a contest the foundation and Olympus are co-sponsoring. The Share the Experience photo contest rewards the grand-prize winner not only with an Olympus E-3 Digital Camera, but the winning photo also will be featured on the 2010 America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

The fine print: Amateur photographers are invited to submit up to three photos to the Share the Experience contest through December 31, 2009. In addition, at the end of the submission period the public will be invited to vote for their favorite photo. Enter by visiting www.sharetheexperience.org or pick up a brochure and entry form while visiting a Federal Recreation Land this year. Great prizes include: Olympus digital cameras, trips to a federal recreation area, Federal Recreation Lands Passes and more! Sponsored by Olympus and the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, the Share the Experience Photo Contest showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands and draws entries from all across the United States.

Story Categories:

Visiting the Parks

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add new comment

Comments

Submitted by Craig W. on October 9, 2009 - 9:45am.

http://www.arkansas.com/calendar/fall_foliage_pg1.aspx

Submitted by Sparky on October 9, 2009 - 12:06pm.

I *hope* this turns out to be the case for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My new wife and I will be heading there after our wedding next weekend. :-D

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on October 9, 2009 - 12:11pm.

We'll put in a request for some great weather, Sparky. Congrats on the nuptials!

Submitted by admin on October 9, 2009 - 10:58pm.

I'd also throw a nod in to Zion National Park, particularly the high country of the Kolob Terrace. The black and red and pink rocks are complimented by golden and red trees.

Submitted by qtluong on October 11, 2009 - 4:18pm.

That's a good list, but it's limited to Eastern Parks. True, most of the Western Parks do not have maples (and therefore brillant reds that are the staple of great fall foliage) but there are exceptions:
Zion fall foliage and Guadalupe Mountains fall foliage both peak in November, so if you're late for the Eastern Parks, here is your chance this year.

Tuan.

National Parks images

Add comment

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks