Fall is usually a time when the kids go back to school, and parents head back to work. So now is the best time to find lower prices, smaller crowds, and cooler temperatures at many popular vacation destinations. If you have no kids and have some vacation time left over from the summer, these destinations might be right up your alley! Here are a few of our favorite fall time destinations.
Grand Canyon
Traveling to this famous Arizona national park in the fall will let you enjoy the same stunning scenery that amazes year-round, but with colder weather, fewer people, and lower hotel rates. The cooler conditions are perfect for hiking, but you’ll want to be there before mid-October if you’re going to trek down the North Rim Trail. If you’re going to take a gander at some additional scenery, try booking a trip along the Grand Canyon Railway.
Asheville, NC
The location along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the proximity to the Appalachian Trail mean that the view of the foliage is unprecedented. Try visiting between October and early November to see the vibrant colors on all the surrounding mountains. For beer fans, Ashville is home to around 100 breweries so you can survey the local brews. For a bonus, make the most of your time by signing up for a brewery tour of the city.
Yellowstone
Fall is a great time to visit Yellowstone as it is completely void of camera-toting tourists allowing you to take in the gorgeous transition from summer to fall without interruption. Backpacking and fishing are great activities to enjoy in late September and throughout October, while hiking is a popular activity well into November. Our friends at Texan Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Humble, TX) would like to remind you to be especially careful around the wild animals at Yellowstone at any time of the year. Although they seem benign, they are still wild animals and can act aggressively in a moment’s notice.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hugging the North Carolina-Tennessee border, this national park is home to tons of hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, and all kinds of wildlife. As the air becomes crisper, the park becomes a perfect place for leaf peepers. Try hiking the Appalachian and Oconaleftee River trails to various lookout points for a beautiful vista. You can also drive along the Clingmans Dome Road or the Blue Ridge Parkway for an incredibly relaxing ride. For the best view of the fall colors go on the nearby Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Telluride
Best known as a destination in the winter months, Telluride, Colorado, gives you plenty to do and see in the fall. The town is a terrific destination for hikers of all abilities and has perfect hiking conditions well into October. If you’re a film buff, catch the Telluride Horror Show every October. And no visit would be complete without taking a picture of Telluride’s gorgeous fall foliage from a gondola.
Jackson Hole
The fall weather in Jackson Hole is perfect, with average highs going from the low 70s into the high 30s. If you’re an animal lover, you will want to stop by the National Elk Refuge to listen to see the male elks in October. The autumn months also usher in a few fall festivals and plenty of opportunities to hike the mountains in Grand Teton National Park or enjoy a dip in the Granite Hot Springs
The fall is just heating up, and these places are perfect for spending your time! If you have vacation time, we suggest getting out there and seeing this beautiful country.