We're planning a special fall-in-the-parks series, and we'd like your input on our story line-up. While we've got the obvious parks covered -- Great Smoky, Shenandoah, Grand Teton, etc -- what national park do you think should definitely get some attention for a fall visit?
The park that gets the most mentions will be added to the to-do list. And keep in mind that we're fairly good with the obvious choices. What we need your help with is the unusual! So, tell us which one, and why, and we'll put our scribes to it.
And feel free to mention lodges, too. Again, we know most of the renowned places, but would love to write about some off-the-beaten-path national park accommodation that is truly wonderful in the fall.
Comments
Redwood N&SPs, Lassen VHP, Whiskeytown Lake NRA, Yosemite NP, Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP, and Santa Monica Mountains NRA all have pockets of beautiful color that are seen at various times during California's three-month fall color season. Last year's reports, photos and when they were posted can be reviewed at http://www.californiafallcolor.com.
New River Gorge National River, WV was stunning in fall colors.
I would love to see you highlight the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail! Most people don't realize that NPS manages trails as well as parks, and the trails often connect many of the smaller parks so that people can enjoy them!
Try visiting the west side of Glacier National Park in mid October to see the fall color. The bright gold of the western larch needles against the snow capped peaks is extraordinary.
I definitely have to throw in two cents for Capitol Reef. Fall is one of the best seasons in this gorgeous park. Zion's not bad either, of course. ;) But I'm pretty partial to CapReef.
Petrified Forest National Park in AZ, honestly the rest of the year is either TOO hot or TOO cold to visit, most of the "snowbirds" take the "fall" season to visit, it usually gets a bit of rain and its a brisk cool morning and evening with a warm breezy day.
There are so many things to see and learn in the Petrified Forest, why not visit it during the nicest time of the year!
I was surprised by how many people suggest to visit southern Utah in fall. Hey, southern Utah is spectacular and worth visiting any time of the year, but I had not thought of it in term of foliage and fall colors.
But then I remembered Utah State Route 12, the one from Bryce NP to Capitol Reef NP, passing the northern (higher elevated) part of Grand Staircase-Escalante NM. And now I agree with southern Utah as a place for fall. This route - designated as All-American-Route under the National Scenic Byway program - has amazing red rock landscapes and rolling hills with aspen and a few poplars that will look spectacular in fall. If you go there specific for that season, just ignore the parts with the coniferous woods and spend your time either in Red Rock country but without the heat of summer or around the deciduous trees.
Fall is great time to explore National Parks, that offer a scenic landscape, but which are not "crown jewels". Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Hopewell Furnace, George Washington Birthplace, Eisenhower Farm, Booker T. Washington,Catoctin Mountain, Prince William Forest, Friendship Hill, Fort Necessity, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, and Harpers Ferry all might just rival Shenandoah. You can visit these sights in clusters and/or in connection with traditional trips. One great NPS area for general scenery was, of all places, Carl Sandburg's Home near Asheville, North Carolina.
Ben Lord