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National parks are attractive destinations year-round, but there are a few that really stand out in the fall. While fall foliage and wildlife activities are natural attractions at some parks, there are other benefits to traveling from September to November. These nine parks are prime fall destinations, but they don’t have the crowds found at typical foliage parks.
Acadia National Park, Maine
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Acadia is a winner on our vacation lists year-round, but fall foliage lovers note that Acadia takes fall foliage to a whole new level. Here you can not only enjoy the reds, golds and yellows of the hardwood forest, but also the contrast between the dark green pines and the deep blue sea. This is the finest natural paintbrush.
Like last year, Acadia will require advance reservation permits to drive the park’s scenic Cadillac Summit Road during the busy season from May 24 to October 22, which coincides with expected peak color. In need of. As a result, traffic congestion will be reduced and congestion will have to be spread out more than usual. There are several sections of the park that are accessible to visitors without a permit.
To visit Bar Harbor, stay in the town of Bar Harbor. Although there are many independent hotels in town, you can save money by redeeming hotel points at several chain options. The waterfront Holiday Inn Bar Harbor is expensive at about 60,000 points per night during peak seasons, but it’s more reliable than paying cash. With IHG’s dynamic pricing, you may get a better price if you book early.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
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Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are best known for their brilliant yellow aspens in the fall, but that’s not the main reason to visit the state’s most famous national park. Instead, plan for the elk rut to occur from mid-September to mid-October (sometimes lasting into November).
Seeing dozens of elk against a dramatic mountain backdrop is special in itself. The opportunity to see over 100 birds while listening to the sound of trumpets echoing through the forest is an unforgettable experience. If you have binoculars, he may be able to witness bighorn sheep headbutting the mountainside, especially in October and November.
Rocky Mountain National Park has also implemented a permit system to allow vehicles to enter the main park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The park has several entry points, but to redeem points without a long commute, you’ll need to stay at Estes Park. The Ridgeline is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection and costs 20,000 Choice Points per night. Choice Privileges is a relocation partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You, and Capital One.
Channel Islands National Park, California
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Channel Islands National Park, off the coast of Southern California, offers a must-see experience for birdwatchers. Autumn is a great time for open ocean (ocean) birding as species migrate up and down the coast.
Operators such as Island Packers run specialty cruises in search of sightings of red-billed tropical birds, lesser petrels, crested murrelets, and more. If the limited itinerary doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can take the Island Packer’s regularly scheduled ferries to the island and spot land birds such as the Scrippy Murrelet and the island’s jay along the way.
There are no hotels on the island, but there are several chain hotels near Ventura Harbor, making it convenient for day trips. Among them, Mandalay Beach’s Zachari Sand Dunes stands out for its resort facilities. Most rooms cost him around 72,000 Hilton points per night, with the option to upgrade to an ocean-view suite.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
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Yes, West Virginia’s only national park offers sublime, colorful scenery every fall. It’s also within driving distance of everywhere from Detroit to Atlanta. However, the photo opportunity is only one of his reasons for coming here. White water rafting is another.
Unlike many rivers, which are at their heaviest in the spring due to snow runoff, the Gauley River is thrilling from September to October. For just a few weeks each year, this dam-controlled river allows rapids to swirl through breathtaking scenery, producing Class IV and V rapids that challenge your inner adventurous spirit. Beginners to the sport can start with a more gentle journey from the “only” Class III rapids on the park’s namesake, the New River itself.
Located near the confluence of Interstates 64 and 77, the town of Beckley is home to hotels from most major hotel chains. Advance reservations are required to use points on weekends, but rafting is so popular that some properties may be sold out. Try Holiday Inn and Suites for around 30,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
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For traditional fall foliage in a non-traditional setting, head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park glows with fiery colors, mainly maples. Although this park can get crowded on weekends, it sees fewer visitors than most parks in the country, and most weekdays are fine.
Each section of the park has different peak times depending on elevation, so check the park’s fall foliage report to plan your day. McKittrick Canyon is an especially popular spot for scenic hikes from mid-October to mid-November.
The closest hotel to the park is 45 minutes away in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with options such as TownePlace Suites Carlsbad, where studios with kitchens start at 25,000 Bonvoy points per night. Instead of seeing your commute as a challenge, think of it as an opportunity. Adjacent Carlsbad Caverns National Park is also a popular fall destination. Hundreds of thousands of bats emerge from the caves every night around sunset during the summer, continuing into October.
Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio
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Cuyahoga doesn’t have the same reputation as other national parks. In fact, if you don’t live within driving distance, you may have never heard of it. Either way, this park offers vibrant fall foliage, plenty of recreational opportunities, and is just 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland.
A typical highlight of a fall visit is a two-hour round trip ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Before or after your train ride, you can hike the trail to Brandywine Falls and pass over the covered bridge. You can also bike, canoe, kayak, and fish.
The hotels closest to the park are the Country Inn and Suites (16,000 Choice Privilege Points per night) and the La Quinta Inn & Suites (15,000 Wyndham Rewards points per night) in the town of Macedonia, Ohio. For hotels in other loyalty programs, it’s an easy commute from Cleveland or Akron.
Arches National Park, Utah
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Utah has five national parks, four of which are designated as Dark Sky Parks. All of them are suitable for stargazing, but Arches offers something that the others don’t. Here you can not only enjoy magnificent views of the vast expanse of the sky, but at dusk and dawn, and under the full moon, you can see the silhouette of the natural rock arch in the sky.
Stargazing can be enjoyed all year round, but autumn is the best time to see meteor showers. The season begins with the Carinae shower (peaks October 8-9), followed by the Orionids (September 26-November 22) and the Taurus shower (September 23-12). (May 2nd), followed by the Leonid meteor shower (November 3rd to December 2nd). The Orionid meteor shower in particular can produce about 15 meteors per hour. The peak is October 20th to 21st, but it can be seen throughout the month.
Arches National Park is easily accessible from the town of Moab, which is also the gateway to Canyonlands National Park. Here you will find hotels of all service levels and brands. The Hoodoo Moab is a Hilton Curio Collection property known for blending independent design with brand consistency and loyalty benefits. Typically, you’ll need 80,000 Hilton points per night to stay here in the fall.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
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Back on the West Coast, Lassen Volcanic National Park is another park you can’t count on for fall foliage. This tranquil Northern California park is home to several plantations of cottonwood, aspen, and alder, which combine to create a vibrant palette of colors. The crystal clear Manzanita Lake is one of the parks that features bright colors in addition to the ubiquitous evergreen trees. Even if you can’t time the fall foliage, you can still enjoy the iconic views of Lassen Peak.
Autumn arrives early as there are some high altitude areas within the park. September and October are the months when you can see the bright autumn leaves. As the season progresses, be prepared for temporary road and trail closures due to snow in higher elevations. However, don’t be disappointed if you see snow instead of autumn leaves. Also, don’t miss the otherwise beautiful hydrothermal areas of Sulfur Works and Bumpass Hell Trail.
Lassen Park is in a remote area with few hotels nearby, so most visitors drive there for a day trip. Redding has a number of hotels, including the Sheraton at the Sundial Bridge, which cost around 40,000 Marriott points per night. To stay close to the parks, use flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou points as cash equivalents to book independent hotels.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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Fall in Grand Teton National Park is a magical season, and each month offers a different reason to visit depending on your interests. Hike among the golden aspens in September. In October, the local rivers are full of fish, creating excellent conditions for anglers. And in November, if you’re prepared to brave the possibility of snow, wildlife watchers have a very good chance of spotting elk in the open foraging on the flats.
However, one thing that is true for this part of the country is that the weather can be unpredictable. Snow can also occur in September, especially in higher elevations, but heavy snowfall is unlikely until November. However, there is also the possibility of cold and rainy days. The good news is that some days are good enough to be worth the risk, and the chances of a good return are high.
Cloudvale Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection, offers travelers the ultimate respite just steps from Jackson Town Square. Cash rates are high here, so even peak award prices of 100,000 Bonvoy points per night can still be traded. If you wait until late October, you can book a luxury hotel at a discounted rate instead.
conclusion
The national parks listed above allow you to enjoy a wonderful fall without the crowds of other fall hotspots. You may find a new favorite scenery. Either way, traveling to these national parks in the fall is a fascinating way to explore some of America’s most special places.
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