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The fall colors are popping off, which means that the leaf-peeping<\/strong> season is about to hit high tide.<\/strong> It’s one of the best times of year to pack up the car, get a warm drink and a good podcast or playlist, and hit the road. Bring your friends. Invite that special someone. Bring the dog. Or, heck, just go alone to experience the rich tones of autumn in peaceful solitude.<\/p>\n But where to go? That’s always the question when it comes time for a leaf-peeping expedition. So, we did the heavy lifting for you. We rounded up seven road trips full of stunning scenery, exciting side stops, and, of course, plenty of autumn color. Pick one near you, or plan your own with some helpful tips we’ve included below.<\/p>\n Time is of the essence, though. These colors always change and disappear faster than you’d expect. So gas up, and go get your road trip started before fall starts fading into winter. <\/p>\n Vermont has options in spades when it comes to leaf peeping and stunning fall road trips, but the 11-mile Green Mountain Byway<\/strong><\/a> (GMB) can\u2019t be missed.<\/p>\n The GMB travels along Vermont Route 100 through the towns of Waterbury and Stowe. It\u2019s sandwiched between the spine of the northern Green Mountains to the west and the peaks of the Worcester Range to the east.<\/p>\n The drive provides stunning views of open meadows, farmland, and the changing colors of the surrounding forests, all with the mountains serving as a picturesque backdrop. The Vermont woods are full of maple, ash, oak, and birch trees that make for eye-popping leaf-peeping. <\/p>\n The route provides easy access to historic farms, farmsteads, villages, mill sites, the Waterbury Reservoir, and three state parks. Popular stops include the following:<\/p>\n The Blue Ridge Parkway is a spectacular drive any time of year, but it\u2019s exceptional during the fall. This U.S. National Parkway, often called \u201cAmerica\u2019s favorite drive,\u201d meanders 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina.<\/p>\n The drive connects Shenandoah National Park<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s famous for being a slow-paced drive with views of long-range vistas, pastoral landscapes, and up-close glimpses of the local mountains. The leaves begin to change in early October, with color displays peaking in the second or third week of October.<\/p>\n With so many incredible stops along the way, it\u2019s hard to choose just a few. But some of the most sought-after include the following:<\/p>\n The San Juan Skyway, designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as an All-American Road, <\/span>is a 236-mile loop that travels through the Colorado<\/strong><\/a> cities of Durango, Mancos, Dolores, Stoner, Rico, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton.<\/p>\n The highway travels through high mountain passes and historic towns, passing by 5 million acres of the San Juan<\/strong><\/a> and Uncompahgre<\/strong><\/a> national forests. Travelers are treated to views of wildflowers, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and, in the fall, the impressive color display put on by the aspen trees lining the road.<\/p>\n While on your trip, be sure to check out the following:<\/p>\n The Columbia River Highway<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most scenic drives out there, regardless of when you visit. It\u2019s the first major paved road in the Pacific Northwest and the first designated scenic highway in the United States.<\/p>\n The highway begins east of Portland and meanders 350 miles through the Columbia River Gorge. The historic highway offers breathtaking views of temperate rainforest, densely forested hills, waterfalls, moss-lined canyons, a rushing river, and, during the fall, the changing leaves. Alder, cottonwood, maple, ash, birch, and various species of oak make it a spectacular scene to drive through.<\/p>\n The window for viewing the fall foliage is typically late September to mid-October. During your time in Oregon, be sure to stop and check out some of these points of interest:<\/p>\n Navigating 34.5 miles of country roads throughout White Mountain National Forest, the Kancamagus Highway<\/strong><\/a> is well worth a visit, especially during the fall.<\/p>\n A trip back in time, the highway is void of gas stations, restaurants, and hotels, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the views and the experience. Due to its rich history, unparalleled beauty, and culture, the highway is officially designated as an American Scenic Byway.<\/p>\n Often recognized as one of the best fall foliage displays in the country, the highway is lined by trees with additional views of the White Mountains, Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge.<\/p>\n Worthy stops include the following:<\/p>\n Often referred to as \u201cthe land of enchantment,\u201d New Mexico is fittingly home to the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The 83-mile loop travels through mountains, valleys, mesas, and national forests and offers plenty of glimpses of the stunning fall foliage. Aspens are the star of the show, so visitors can expect to see beautiful golden leaves that are unlike any other.<\/p>\n Popular stops along the way include the following:<\/p>\n Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula<\/a><\/strong> is a fun and adventurous trip that can be done in a few hours or a couple of weeks, depending on how much you want to pack in.<\/p>\n The day drive through the Upper Peninsula meanders through small-town back roads and offers the opportunity to view cascading waterfalls, slide down sand dunes, explore the rugged wilderness, and swim in Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.<\/p>\n There are plenty of worthy places to visit in the Upper Peninsula, but popular destinations include the following:<\/p>\n Plain and simple, “leaf peeping” is the act of looking at leaves, typically in the fall, while the colors are changing. Leaf peeping is an excellent way to spend a fall weekend and makes for a great excuse to go on a little road trip \u2014 or a big one. Stop along the way and take a hike through the forest as it bursts with colors. Take photos. Have a picnic somewhere. The world is your oyster.<\/p>\n Pro tip:<\/em><\/strong> Pack wisely for your leaf-peeping road trip. Bring some binoculars<\/strong><\/a> or a monocular<\/strong><\/a>. Bring your hiking shoes<\/a><\/strong> or hiking boots<\/a><\/strong> so you can go for a stroll in the woods. Pack a nice lunch if you’re really thinking ahead and enjoy it among the trees. And of course, don’t forget a camera. Whether you bring a DSLR, a polaroid, or use your phone, you’ll want a way to capture some of that fall beauty.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Road Trips for Leaf Peeping<\/h2>\n
1. Green Mountain Byway<\/strong><\/a>, Vermont<\/h3>\n
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2. Blue Ridge Parkway<\/strong><\/a>, North Carolina & Virginia<\/h3>\n
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3. San Juan Skyway<\/strong><\/a>, Colorado<\/h3>\n
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4. Columbia River Highway<\/strong><\/a>, Oregon<\/h3>\n
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5. Kancamagus Highway<\/strong><\/a>, New Hampshire<\/h3>\n
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6. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway<\/strong><\/a>, New Mexico<\/h3>\n
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7. Upper Peninsula Day Drive<\/strong><\/a>, Michigan<\/h3>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions: Plan Your Own Leaf-Peeping Road Trip<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>\n\n\n\n\nWhat is leaf peeping?<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nWhere to see the fall foliage?<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n