The best time to visit National Parks is in the Fall. Here’s how to plan that color-chasing trip.
Autumn is the season every year when nature puts on its grand finale.
The air turns crisp. The crowds thin. And the trees explode into color before the long hush of winter.
If you’re thinking about visiting a national park, fall is an amazing time to do it.
Chasing once-in-a-lifetime natural events has kind of become my personality: moonbows, meteors, Firefall, and northern lights. Autumn may happen every year, but it’s just as fleeting.
Check out my upcoming photography book of rare night phenomena in national parks
Why autumn is the best time to visit national parks
Fewer crowds, more “Get away from it all”
Once school is back in session and summer vacation season ends, national parks take a deep breath. You’ll find open trails, empty viewpoints, and quiet sunrises where it’s just you and the wind through golden leaves.
Cool temps = Better Exploring
Whether you're hiking Yosemite’s Mist Trail or backpacking through Pictured Rocks, cooler temps make fall ideal for longer, more comfortable adventures.
Wildlife is still active
Fall is migration season in many parks. Think elk bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park. Birds flocking south through the Great Smoky Mountains. You might even spot bears bulking up for hibernation.
The Light is Better for Photography
Photographers know: light transforms a landscape. The lower sun angle and increased clouds during this season gives you longer golden hours, dramatic skies, and softer, warmer tones throughout the day.
Here’s how to time your trip to catch fall colors
Fall foliage doesn’t follow a national schedule. It’s a dance between latitude, elevation, and weather.
General Rule of Thumb:
High elevation or northern parks change first. Lower elevation or southern parks peak later.
Fall Foliage Timeline (Approximate):
Late September – Early October
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (MI)
Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
Mid-October
Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC)
Late October – Early November
Capitol Reef National Park (UT)
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Tools to Help Track Peak Color:
- Explore Fall Foliage Map
- AllTrails reports & recent reviews
-
Official National Park Service pages & social media
Tips for photographing autumn like a pro
Whether you're using a DSLR or just your phone, fall is a fantastic time to come home with frame-worthy shots. Here are some tips:
Use a Circular Polarizer
This simple filter removes glare and deepens leaf colors—especially reds and oranges. It makes a huge difference with water and wet leaves too.
Overcast = Opportunity
Don’t fear cloudy days. Soft light enhances color saturation and adds drama without harsh shadows. And dramatic clouds make for incredible, moody photos. Keep an eye out for god rays.
Go Wide & Go Close
Shoot sweeping views and get on your knees for macro shots of single leaves, reflections in puddles, or frost on branches.
Backlight Your Leaves
Look for the sun coming through the trees. Backlit leaves glow like stained glass.
Mix Day + Night
Some of the most unique shots come after sunset: Firelight or internal lights on colored tents, moonlight catching the mist in a valley, or even shooting stars of the Oronid or Leonid meteor showers.
Chase the changing leaves before they’re gone
The best moments in nature don’t wait. You either catch them, or you miss them.
Fall might not be as elusive as a rainbow caused by moonlight, but it carries the same lesson: beauty fades. And the ephemerality is what makes it special.
Grab your camera, pack your layers, and head to the parks. I hope to see you out there!