It's that time of year when colorful swaths of natural beauty bathe the roadways and hillsides. As the leaves turn, here are five trip ideas to consider.
Camp your way through the color.
Take the whole two months or pick your stretch. Either way, the Ultimate 2021 Fall Foliage Camping Road Trip, crafted by The Dyrt, a top-rated source of camping information, is sure to inspire the adventuresome clan eager to capture the best of the leaf-peeping season. The two-month, 12-state journey - with plenty of stop-overs - starts in Wyoming and heads due east to New England and south to Virginia. The Dyrt used content created by its camping community as well as foliage prediction mapping to curate a trip that pinpoints campgrounds and gives suggestions for a top-notch, two-month fall foliage adventure.
Contact: www.theDyrt.com
Take in the colors from the train.
Take the stress out of driving through the countryside and catch the fall foliage action from a comfortable seat aboard an Amtrak train. As maple, oak, ash and dogwood trees transform into rich autumnal shades, choose from a handful of routes that offer stunning views. With daily service between New York City and Rutland, Vermont, the Ethan Allen Express offers riders a five-and-a-half-hour journey through quintessential New England with no shortage of breathtaking fall foliage. Among the changing leaves, riders will also take in views of the Hudson River Valley, quaint farms and villages and the rolling Green Mountains. The Downeaster rumbles through Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with stops in some of New England's most color rich cities. Stop along the way to sample seafood chowder, tour the foliage on a bike or visit a farmer's market.
Contact: www.Amtrak.com
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio.
Visit this lesser-known national park in northeastern Ohio for a heaping dose of Midwestern fall beauty. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is comprised of 33,000 acres tucked along 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. The winding river gives way to deep forests, rolling hills and open farmlands, punctuated by iconic views of covered bridges and cascading waterfalls. Take in the seasonal performance during hikes or biking excursions along the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Ask about the Junior Ranger program, ranger guided options as well as educational resources, games and DIY activities and crafts that will enrich the family experience.
Contact: https://www.nps.gov/cuva
Take a scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado.
During a 48-mile, two-to-three-hour drive via Trail Ridge Road, observe wildlife, crystalline lakes and jagged peaks. With proximity to the Continental Divide, it's an ideal time to explain to the kids how the "roof of the continent" spills moisture to the east and the west. This expansive, peak-filled national park is also well known for its elk population. The fall rut or mating season is an interesting time to witness animal behaviors as they bugle and battle for supremacy. Look for between 600 and 800 elk grazing at lower elevations during the fall and winter months. Be on the lookout for bighorn sheep and the occasional moose browsing the willow thickets.
Contact: VisitGrandCounty.com; VisitEstesPark.com. www.NPS.gov
As the leaves turn and the elk bugle.
This is your chance to enjoy Grand Teton National Park and the extraordinary beauty of this valley before it becomes a winter wonderland and without the crowds that collect during summer. Take a family-friendly hike along the Snake River or explore a string of scenic lakes. Enjoy the changing leaves during a wildlife tour in Yellowstone or Grand Teton, or enjoy the views via horseback. Check on the resident herd at the National Elk Refuge (sleigh rides are possible once the snow falls).
Contact: www.VisitWyoming.comwww.jacksonhole.com; www.FourSeasons.com/JacksonHole
Lynn O'Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com ) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com
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