See explosions of fall color for less in six unlikely places
— -- Though New England may be undisputed as the place for fall foliage viewing, several other states around the country put on a colorful display not to be missed. And, since these are lesser-known destinations, you may find better lodging deals and availability whether you're from the area or traveling from afar.
Arkansas
Fall foliage doesn't typically come to mind when most people think of the south, but it's time to think again. Though the entire state of Arkansas experiences fall color, the Ozark Mountain region is particularly awash in the familiar gold, brown, yellow, and orange leaves from a variety of trees such as blackgum, hickory, sassafrass, and flowering dogwood. Leaves start turning in September and usually peak in late October to early November. Always check foliage reports before booking.
One of the best ways to catch the changing colors is to head into the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Covering 1.2 million acres, the forests features Arkansas' highest mountain, and are an ideal place to camp, hike, bike, picnic, or take a scenic drive. It costs $30 for a day pass to enter, and as little as $4 to camp. Plus, the weather stays fairly warm, usually hovering in the 70s throughout most of October.
If you'd rather stay indoors, there are plenty of fall deals offered in the mountain towns, which include free nights and activity discounts. For instance, Wild Bill's Outfitter offers an Ozark Outdoor Adventure, where you get two nights' lodging, a canoe trip on the Buffalo River, two-hour trail ride, and a 10% discount at the store for $319 for two people.
Though the Ozarks are an outdoor enthusiast's dream, there are several scenic driving tours for those who prefer to stay behind the wheel. You can also choose to participate in one of the many events, such as the Fall Frenzy or the Harvest Homecoming, which celebrate fall.
Colorado
Beginning in the first weeks of September, luscious reds and golden hues start to creep across Colorado's hillsides, setting them ablaze with color. The one thing that sets this scene apart from other foliage destinations is the stark contrast of white aspen tree trunks against the flourish of changing leaves.
Since the state offers countless places to see the leaves change colors, planning a trip can be a bit overwhelming. However, timing is everything when it comes to leaf-peeping, so decide where to go based on when you can go. Call the National Forest Service Fall Color Hotline at 800-354-4595 to find out the best times to visit.
If you're coming from Denver, one of the easier-to-reach driving tours is along Route 70. Make Vail your home base, and take advantage of a fall foliage package that starts at $149 in October and November, and includes overnight accommodations, use of a Volvo, a picnic lunch, and a complimentary bottle of wine.
From here, travel east towards Grand Junction, where you can stop in the aptly-named town of Aspen for a quick break and a bit of shopping. The road follows the Colorado River, where you'll encounter cottonwoods intermixed with aspens. If you have time, veer off on Route 65 towards Grand Mesa for a bird's-eye view of the colorful foliage.
North Carolina
Visitors may come year-round to witness the fog hovering gracefully above the tree line in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but fall is a particularly special time because of the bright bursts of color that cover the mountainside. Leaves typically start to change in mid-September at higher elevations and can continue through early November. Leaf-peepers will delight in the range of trees (and their different colors), including American beech, yellow birch, mountain maple, sweetgum, and scarlet oak.
Not far from the park, Asheville makes for an ideal location to spend your nights and even some of your days. The area gets quite busy during the autumn season, so it's important to book early and it helps to stay midweek. Packages are also available, and some include discounts of up to $75 per night.
You can then choose activities based on whether your love for fall foliage is mellow, intense, or extreme. Mellow visitors can enjoy harvest excursions, while intense people are probably better suited to cycling, driving, and touring. The extreme fall enthusiast might want to try hot air ballooning or motorcycling.
The best part of visiting Asheville in the fall is it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Oregon
Oregon's unique array of deciduous trees, including maple, Oregon ash, and cottonwood, create an intense palette of color that sweeps across the state each year. The season typically begins in September and lasts through October, and it's always wise to check with the fall foliage hotline at 800-547-5445 before booking.
Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, Lane County is an ideal place to experience the excitement of the fall, while still being within an easy drive of many attractions. Great options for places to stay are either in the city setting of Eugene, where rooms start at about $55 per night, or in the smaller towns along the McKenzie River and other areas of the Willamette Valley.
To fully experience the magic of the season, you can drive along the popular Cottage Grove Covered Bridge Tour, hike the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park, drink wine in the Willamette Valley, or hop aboard the Mt. Hood Railroad up north during Autumn Fest (October 18 and 19). Plus, from October 1 through November 30, you can taste all the glory autumn has to offer at Oregon Bounty.
Connecticut
Connecticut is oftentimes overlooked in favor of its more famous New England siblings, but it doesn't disappoint when it comes to fall foliage. Red maples begin turning in September, and then the state is covered in a blanket of reds, yellows, and oranges from a variety of trees. October is typically peak season, but since each year is different, check to see when the leaves are changing.
One of the more popular spots for leaf peeping is route 7 in Litchfield Hills, where you can take a driving tour to see all of the not-to-miss sights such as museums, historical taverns, revolutionary war sites, and local shops. You'll also pass through Kent Falls State Park, which features Connecticut's highest waterfall and is an ideal place to picnic and hike.
A range of lodging packages are available in the area, including a fall foliage deal starting at $189 per couple for midweek stays that comes with a $25 Mobil gas card, $50 off regular rates, $25 dining voucher, and breakfast. Events highlighting the season take place all over the state, including pumpkin patch train rides.
Illinois
Celebrating Fall-O-Ween for the past five years, Illinois is an ideal place to enjoy autumn. The leaves start turning in early September and continue throughout the fall, and you can keep an eye on their progress through the Illinois Tourism website. The state features six scenic driving tours for the best fall foliage views, including one along the historic Route 66.
The Meeting of the Great Rivers Road is one route in particular worth driving. Running along the Mississippi River, and converging with the Missouri and Illinois Rivers, the road takes you along forested river bluffs where the colorful hand of Mother Nature is at its most brilliant. You'll encounter a wide range of deciduous trees, including Spanish needle, cottonwood, goldenrod, and black walnut.
Alton makes a great jumping off point, and you can find foliage packages starting at $125 per night. You can also print an Autumn Adventure Guide, which features suggestions for best places to hike, drive, tour, and picnic.
If you'd rather stay closer to Chicago, or take one of the other scenic tours, there are a slew of activities to choose from all over the state. Be sure to keep an eye on events taking place throughout the season.
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