Fall Foliage RV Routes for 2025
While the end of summer can be a bit unwanted, fall gives us many reasons to welcome it into the fold. Football, campfires, and S’mores, along with crisp, clean, vivid fall foliage, are a few reasons to embrace the chill of autumn. The sharp contrasting fall foliage colors of orange, red, yellow, and green are visible throughout most states, but some standout places offer the best display of these fall-and falling- leaves. While Blue Ridge Parkway, a.k.a ‘America’s Favorite Drive’, is the common answer for a brisk fall RV drive, this list covers areas that offer similar scenery that you likely haven’t tried yet.
Here’s a list of some RV routes for fall foliage, broken down into the nation’s four main regions.
Northeast
This region is synonymous with fall: picturesque towns, national parks, and mountains are among what give New England and neighboring states their beauty. Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts have plenty of fall foliage beauty to share with visitors.
New Hampshire
Consider a drive through the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The 34-mile route on the Kancamagus Highway is an iconic drive, boasting amazing views with multiple overlooks. Perhaps the tree-lined Route 100 in Vermont is a better fit for your travel plans, winding through the charming towns of Woodstock and Stowe.
Maine
Visit Northern Maine in late September through early October for the best colors and viewing opportunities. Consider Route 11 to Aroostook State Park.
In the central part of the state, take the 52-mile byway through the Appalachian Mountains, where the vivid fall colors surround the roadway, through mid-October. In the western portion of the state, a key location for fall colors is Mount Kineo, along the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway.
New York
In New York, the Catskills are an optimum choice for fall RV views. Consider the scenic Route 28, known as the Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway, or Route 30 along the Delaware River. For a different view of rolling hills, choose a drive down the Durham Valley Scenic Byway. Additionally, for a skittles mixture of parks, historic towns, and ridge views, the Shawangunk Scenic Byway is your ticket. And, last but not least, the area around Hunter Mountain is a prime choice for fall foliage viewing opportunities.
South
One of the most popular drives for stunning fall scenery is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive’, the 469-mile drive stretches through North Carolina and Virginia, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. There are hundreds of hiking trails, picnic areas, visitor centers, and scenic overlooks to take in the fall atmosphere. Major cities reachable via this route include Roanoke, Asheville, and Boone.
Arkansas features the Ozark Mountains, with plenty of leaf-peeping. During mid-to-late October, drive down the Pig Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 23) and/or the Talimena National Scenic Byway in the Ouachita Mountains for peak leaf colors. Cities of interest within the area include Eureka Springs, the Buffalo National River, and the highest peak of Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park, which provides breathtaking panoramic views.
Midwest
One of the more popular RV drives can be found in Michigan. Head down M-22 Highway, browse beach towns and autumn forests, and then travel the 20-mile Tunnel of Trees along Highway M-119 for a canopied tree roadway. See for yourself why this route was once voted ‘America’s Best Scenic Autumn Drive while taking in crisp autumn colors.
In Minnesota, consider traveling down the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. Stretching over 340 miles, this drive can take between three to seven days, depending on how many individual sites are visited. Follow the historic path of the Minnesota River from Big Stone Lake at the South Dakota border to Belle Plaine.
West
The western portion of our nation has some beautiful natural scenes during the fall months as well. For leaf-peeping opportunities, consider the Million Dollar Highway (US-550) in Colorado.
For aspens and falling leaves, tour down Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra, California, preferably in October for the best fall foliage views.
Throughout the nation, primarily from mid-September to mid-to-late November, RVers can choose a variety of routes to view fall’s bounty from the comfort of their rig. From roadways lined by waterways or tree-filled forests, these scenic views are sure to provide crisp, clean autumn colored-views.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which state has the prettiest fall foliage?
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, generally, the New England states are considered to have the most dynamic and vibrant colors. A variety of tree species, such as oaks, birches, and maples, provide stunning foliage that ranges from deep reds to sharp oranges and vivid yellows.
Another very popular choice for viewing the fall scenery is the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and into North Carolina. In addition to breathtaking views along the drive of the Blue Ridge Mountains, some travelers opt to take a railway route that runs alongside the Toccoa River, providing even more lush fall foliage sightings.
What is the best highway for fall foliage?
Depending on which region you are in, there are a few highways for optimum fall foliage viewing opportunities. Blue Ridge Parkway, in Virginia and North Carolina, offers 450 miles of nature’s best views.
Further north in New Hampshire, cruise down the Kancamagus Highway. This 34-mile drive is right in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and is listed as one of the most beautiful scenic East Coast drives.
And, over in the Mountain West subregion, Utah provides a scenic drive all its own. Climb the high summit to reach views of Mount Timpanogos and its groves of aspen trees.
In Massachusetts, the Mohawk Trail is a historic route with stunning fall views. Meanwhile, the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee overlooks the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
North Georgia’s Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is perfect for a winding road enveloped with crisp fall colors.
When is the best time to see fall foliage/colors?
To see the most dynamic and sharp color varieties, plan a trip throughout October for most states. Peak colors vary from state to state, with New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont peaking in late September to early October, while Massachusetts and Rhode Island peak later, around the second and third week of October.
For the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachia regions, the golden hour is the first few weeks of October. Peak colors show up later in the southern states, arriving mid-to-late October and early to mid-November.
In regions like North Georgia, however, peak colors are visible later in the year, typically between October and November. Trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains are recommended during this time frame to view the most stunning colors.
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