Each year around this time, nature’s foliage displays a parade of color in many areas of the United States. Bright yellow, red, and orange hues transform horizons into wonderful palettes of color, attracting visitors from all over the country who hope to experience the dramatic scene changes that the fall season offers. Fall has just begun, and in tribute to this rejuvenation of nature that I have come to enjoy, I have compiled a list of some of the best places in the United States to experience the fall foliage season.

Fall Foliage Tours in New Hampshire:

Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire is considered by many as one of the best state parks in the country. People come from all over the world to explore the park’s 6,500 acres of land. The park claims some of the highest peaks in New England as well as a large part of the Appalachian Trail. Standing on the higher peaks in the area allows you to look down on over 85 miles of fall color. New Hampshire has 145 officially designated scenic drives that cover an area of 900 miles. Outdoor enthusiasts recommend experiencing the fall leaves in an exciting and different way by catching a bird’s eye view from a chairlift at one of the nearby ski resorts.

Fall Foliage Tours in Tennessee:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, is the most visited park in the U.S. National Park System, receiving an average of ten million visitors each year. Its 800-mile stretch boasts over 1,800 different species of plants and flowers, including 120 different kinds of trees, causing it to remain one of the most protected areas in the country. 95 percent of the land within the park is covered by trees, which produce a brilliant multi-color display of leaves each September. Drivers can take the scenic route that takes them from U.S. Highway 441 across the Appalachian Mountains and through the park, allowing them to experience a new array of color with every twist and turn of the road.

Fall Foliage Tours in Massachusetts:

The Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts, also known as Massachusetts Route 2, is one of the country’s most traveled fall foliage routes. The path began as a trail used by American Indians for hunting and trade, and after colonization, became America’s first scenic highway. Also known as the Bay State, Massachusetts’ wetland environment and high elevation provides excellent conditions for bright fall foliage. The Cape Cod region flourishes with leaves of every color each fall, and visitors enjoy lively views as they travel through the Berkshires and the area surrounding Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in the state.

Fall Foliage Tours in Pennsylvania:

The Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, with seven state parks and 72,000 acres of forests, have always been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially during the autumn season. Fall foliage seekers have their choice of nearly 30 scenic foliage driving tours, including one on Scenic Route 6, voted by National Geographic as one of the top ten driving tours in the U.S. Visitors also have many choices when it comes to how they wish to experience the leaves, whether by taking a leisurely horseback ride along some of the most scenic trails in the country, soaring above the trees in a chairlift, by train, on a hay ride, or from high above in a hot air balloon ride.

Fall Foliage Tours in New York:

Just two hours north of New York City lay an entirely different world, nestled at the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Catskill Park’s 35 mountains look down upon thousands of acres of ancient old-growth forests. Gray sandstone peaks provide a background for vibrantly colored leaves, and drivers are encouraged to travel along New York highways 28 and 30 for the best views of the foliage. With 600,000 acres of land, half of which are covered by forests, the park is one of the largest natural areas in the East.

Fall Foliage Tours in Vermont:

Vermont experiences a relatively long foliage season, which lasts from early September until late October. The 14-mile Waitsfield-Warren Loop biking route places visitors in the heart of amazing fall scenery, and “leaf peepers” often explore the trail by renting “eGO’s,” electric two-wheel vehicles that can travel up to 25 miles an hour. The Monroe Skyline hiking trail, recently voted by Vermont Life Magazine as the number one place to visit in all of Vermont, offers a 30-mile trail that travels along the Green Mountains.

Fall Foliage Tours in North Carolina and Southwestern Virginia:

The Blue Ridge Highlands of North Carolina and southwestern Virginia take you on a 470-mile journey through part of the Appalachian Mountains and along the state’s western edge. Visitors spend days driving along the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky ranges and winding along the base of Grandfather Mountain. The fall leaves are in full glory come October. Deemed “America’s most scenic drive,” visitors can glimpse sweeping views of colorful fall foliage while enjoying hiking trails and historic sites. Scenic trails lead you through miles of gorgeous foliage, which can be seen while walking, biking, driving, or from a hot air balloon.

Fall Foliage Tours in Arkansas:

The Ozark region of Arkansas is the first area in the state to undergo changes in leaf color each year. Visitors wait patiently each season for a brief period of “peak color.” Though the peak period lasts for only about a week, the colors are brilliant enough to attract visitors from around the U.S. The leaves produce colors ranging from bright reds and oranges to the occasional purple. The state has two and a half million acres of national forests, and visitors at the annual “Fall Frenzy” enjoy creative nature programs and foliage tours.

Fall Foliage Tours in California:

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Hills of California. The crowds of summer are gone by autumn, and the first cold winds of the season ignite the fiery colors of the changing leaves, giving new meaning to the term “Golden State.” Yosemite is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the U.S., and though it only has about 200 miles of paved roads, it has more than 800 miles of trails. More than 95 percent of the park is considered wilderness area, giving those in search of beautiful fall scenes a large area to choose from. Visitors in search of more fall foliage may also want to take advantage of tours given by the American Orient Express, which allow passengers to see spectacular views of fall foliage along the coastline. A train leaving from southern California takes you on an 8-day excursion along the Pacific Coast, through the state, on to Oregon, before ending in Seattle.

All of these places offer remarkable views and amazing autumn scenes that draw in millions of visitors each fall season. My personal favorite places to observe the changes of fall are not national monuments, nor are they popular destinations for tourists seeking autumn foliage. When stuffy lecture halls become too restrictive, or when I need to take time away from the stresses of daily college life, I simply venture out to the tree-lined hills which overlook campus, or to a nearby park. They are havens to which I can retreat when I need to relax and refocus.

As each day passes, I notice subtle differences taking place in the leaves above. As the trees shed their leaves in preparation for the winter, so do I shed my daily worries about school, work, and life in general when I take the time to appreciate the views that lay just beyond my door. I am reminded of the similar, refreshing renewal that is taking place in my own life as I begin to think about the next steps I will take in my attempt to branch out into the real world. Just as the leaves are signaling to the world that they are ready for the next season to come, I am also preparing for the next season in my life.