Best National Parks to Visit This Fall | Colors, Wildlife, and Views!

[@tonysmith952]

Wow, an amazing review with so much helpful information. And the added info on your website makes you the total package for National Parks! Thanks for all you do!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your kindness and support!

[@pozee1111]

Informative and very helpful Thank you Subscribed

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Welcome!

[@marieb4]

Great video, Ash! Fall is my favorite too. I agree with your top pick, we've done Rocky twice in September and it was AMAZING. I also wanted to say I've really enjoyed your recent Lewis & Clark posts, so fun to get ideas for different places! 😊

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Love Rocky in the fall...so glad you've been able to experience it too! And thank you for following along. I appreciate you!

[@warmbond]

Great video，Ash! 👍 I'm really looking forward to you making a video about where you can and can't start a fire.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Established campgrounds only usually, and not always depending on the fire restrictions that year :)

[@THEBLACKANARCHIST]

Awesome thanks 😊 🙏

[@DirtInMyShoes]

You're welcome!

[@kenvalliere7906]

Thanks for this video, we'll be hitting White Sands, Grand Canyon (north and south rims), Zion and Bryce in September and October. RMNP and Grand Teton are our favorite fall parks.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Such a perfect time to visit those parks too! Enjoy!

[@ashvarma2486]

Great video Ash. Many thanks for sharing. Have been lucky enough to visit several of these including Denali which is one of our favs for fall colour (we do a lot of photography) as the tundra turns into an amazing carpet of colours along with snow capped peaks. We would suggest first 2 weeks of September for peak fall colour as that's when we were there and got amazing fall colour in the park. We used the park bus for the 5 days when we visited and there were Northern Light as well.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Sounds like the perfect experience in Denali...you got to see everything that makes it so amazing!!

[@mikegehrke6966]

Heading to GTNP September 7… purchased your three day itinerary! Very excited! It’s almost here!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yay! I'm so excited for you to visit Grand Teton. Have a fun and adventurous trip!

[@JetLagRecords]

Dirt In My Shoes, You're the best! I subscribed because I love your content!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thank you so much!

[@paulalee9324]

I don’t have your NP experience but Grand Teton is my fav too, went in September and it snowed while I hiked around Jenny lake, it was magical.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

So great! I'm glad you had such a nice time in the best park ever :)

[@japk72]

Thanks for all your information.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

My pleasure!

[@dawnrauch9251]

I agree on rocky national park I was coming off hiking trail did not know was hearing and was elk bugule

[@DirtInMyShoes]

So magical!

[@johng5710]

Actually there’s a small section of Death Valley that extends into Nevada, so Great Basin isn’t the only NP in Nevada 😁

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Yes, that's like how they say that Yellowstone is Idaho's only national park.....not sure I agree with that haha

[@lisaj6370]

Hello Ash. When I & my husband went to The Great Smokey Mountains. When you had suggested to head on out there mad early. You weren't kidding at all. I'm glad I took your advice. Heading to our place to stay, the long long traffic was insane!! 😅I was pondering on & off of becoming a park ranger. But do you need a college degree in that area? I absolutely love exploring in the national parks. So much history & beautiful scenery's as well. What are your recommendation's on becoming a park ranger?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I have a full podcast episode on becoming a park ranger! You can find it here: www.dirtinmyshoes.com/how-to-become-a-park-ranger/

[@user-dk9rs3uv9i]

Oddly, Guadalupe has good fall folliage in 2 or 3 spots. Go Nov. 1st. There are a couple of drainage areas and springs and around those are great fall colors. There is never anyone at this park. Guadalupe Peak is a great hike. Mckitrick Canyon has good fall colors. Devils Hall has good color as well.

[@DirtInMyShoes]

We've been there during the fall months, and I loved McKittrick Canyon at that time!

[@attackfalcon]

I tried to summarize the video so people could print it and take it on their trip when they go. Top 10 National Parks to Visit During Fall Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado • Why Visit in Fall? Experience stunning golden aspens and witness elk descending to the valleys. Mid-September is ideal for peak colors and elk bugling. • Tips: Visit Estes Park or the meadows to see elk up close. Elk bugling can be heard as the males search for mates. • Note: Despite the fall being less crowded, it remains one of the busiest parks. Plan accordingly! Acadia National Park, Maine • Why Visit in Fall? Known for its vibrant fall colors, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds within the park. Peak time is early to mid-October. • Tips: Bar Harbor, a nearby town, can be busy due to cruise ship visitors. Be prepared for closures in mid-October. • Must-Do: Take a scenic drive or hike along the coastlines to enjoy the breathtaking views. 3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina • Why Visit in Fall? Renowned for its diverse tree species that turn into a palette of colors. Peak colors usually occur in October. • Tips: Visit Cataloochee for a more secluded experience. Use a detailed itinerary to avoid crowds in America’s most-visited park. • Must-Do: Hike the popular trails and enjoy panoramic views from Clingmans Dome. 4. Great Basin National Park, Nevada • Why Visit in Fall? A lesser-known gem, Great Basin offers stunning views of glowing aspens along the scenic drive to Wheeler Peak. Mid-September is best for colors. • Tips: Enjoy the Alpine Lakes Loop, Bristlecone Trail, and the remarkable night skies. • Must-Do: Tour Lehman Caves and enjoy stargazing in this remote location. 5. Zion National Park, Utah • Why Visit in Fall? Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for activities like hiking The Narrows. Visit in late September or after mid-October to avoid fall break crowds. • Tips: Hike Angels Landing or The Narrows; fewer crowds make these experiences more enjoyable. • Must-Do: Drive through Zion Canyon to soak in the stunning red rock landscapes. 6. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia • Why Visit in Fall? Famous for its fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Peak time is in October. • Tips: Check the Shenandoah Facebook page or the National Park Service website for live fall color updates. • Must-Do: Drive Skyline Drive, hike to Dark Hollow Falls, or Stony Man Mountain for spectacular views. 7. Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Arizona • Why Visit in Fall? Less crowded than the South Rim with beautiful aspens and cooler temperatures. Visit mid-to-end of September for the best experience. • Tips: Be aware that the North Rim closes around mid-October. • Must-Do: Drive through the North Rim and take in the sweeping canyon views with minimal crowds. 8. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky • Why Visit in Fall? Offers stunning fall colors with fewer crowds while still running cave tours year-round. October is ideal for fall colors. • Tips: Explore the Green River Bluffs Trail or bike along the Railroad Bike and Hike Trail. • Must-Do: Take a cave tour and enjoy the scenic autumn foliage in the surrounding forests. 9. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming • Why Visit in Fall? Beautiful golden aspens, elk bugling, and stunning mountain views. Best time is mid-to-late September. • Tips: Combine with a trip to Yellowstone, but focus on Grand Teton for fall colors and wildlife. • Must-Do: Hike back into the mountains or explore the scenic drives. 10. Denali National Park, Alaska • Why Visit in Fall? Unique opportunity to drive your own vehicle on the park road via a lottery system. Possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Visit mid-to-end of September. • Tips: Prepare for colder weather and potential snow. Check for the road lottery to drive deeper into the park. • Must-Do: Try to see the Northern Lights, enjoy the solitude, and keep an eye out for wildlife along the park road. Enjoy Your Adventure! Make the most of the fall season in these stunning national parks and experience unique natural beauty, fewer crowds, and unforgettable activities!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Very nice!

[@martacruz1788]

Where would you go in early November? How it RMNP or Great Sand Dunes NP then?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

I'd stick with the southwest, slightly warmer parks like Zion, Death Valley, Saguaro, etc.

[@micaelaiphys]

First comment…woo hoo!!

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Thanks for watching!

[@repriser9876]

What do you mean fall? Fall season Between Sep 22 - Dec 22?

[@DirtInMyShoes]

Generally September-November.

[@user-hj1wn4rb7v]

@@DirtInMyShoes And you left out Yosemite???!!!