Travel Fall Travel Ideas The Best Places To See Fall Color In Every Southern State A handy guide to finding your new favorite leaf peeping spot By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 8, 2024 Close Photo: Getty / Sean Pavone Plan your next road trip to see the South's most spectacular fall foliage. Throw on some cozy layers, pack a cooler of pumpkin beer or thermos of hot apple cider, and plan a day trip to one of the best places to see autumn leaves in the South. When the weather cools and the air turns crisp, it's the perfect time to drive up to the Blue Ridge Mountains, ride along the Natchez Parkway from Mississippi to Tennessee, or admire the changing leaves of the sprawling Ozarks in Arkansas and Missouri. Don't let the hot summers mislead you: the South has some of the most beautiful autumn leaves in the entire country. Come fall, the Southern horizon lines are painted in gold, crimson, fuchsia, and burnt orange. In almost every Southern state, you can find jaw-droppingly gorgeous fall foliage. And we've found the best places for you to experience it yourself. 01 of 43 Alabama: Little River Canyon Nature Preserve John Dersham Little River Falls welcomes park visitors to Fort Payne, Alabama, with a glorious autumn view of its 45-foot waterfalls. You'll also find vibrant fall foliage as the preserve's sassafras, flowering dogwood, hickory, dogwood, oak, and maple trees change colors. Plan your trip: Little River Canyon Nature Preserve 02 of 43 Alabama: Lookout Mountain Scenic Parkway John Dersham The 93-mile parkway runs alongside waterfalls, canyons, small towns and villages, state and national parks, and some of the state's most colorful trees. Plan your trip: Lookout Mountain Scenic Parkway 03 of 43 Arkansas: Scenic Byway 7 Courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism The fall foliage and sweeping views along this 290-mile long byway are famous for their vibrancy. Along this road, you will travel through four different geographical regions. Plan your trip: Scenic Byway 7 04 of 43 Arkansas: Talimena Scenic Highway 88 Courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Along this scenic drive from Eastern Oklahoma to Western Arkansas, you'll find plenty of trails, unique places to eat, and one breathtaking fall panorama after another. Plan your trip: Talimena Scenic Highway 88 05 of 43 Arkansas: The Ozarks Courtesy of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism The rolling plateaus, charming mountain towns, and exciting outdoor activities of the Ozark Mountains are great year-round, but in the fall, the range's maple, blackgum, sweetgum, hickory, sassafras, sycamore, flowering dogwood, and oak trees offer up some of the South's most glorious fall color. Plan your trip: The Ozarks 06 of 43 Delaware: Hagley Museum Courtesy of visitdelaware.com Situated along the banks of the Brandywine River, the grounds of The Hagley Museum and Library burst into color every fall. The property, formerly the site of a 19th century gunpowder factory, includes the first du Pont family home and gardens in America. Plan your trip: Hagley 07 of 43 Delaware: Trap Pond State Park Courtesy of visitdelware.com As you canoe, kayak, and meander your way through America's northernmost stand of bald cypress trees, you'll see the beauty of Delaware's turning foliage. Plan your trip: Trap Pond State Park 08 of 43 Florida: Three Rivers State Park Robert Green The Chattahoochee River, Flint River, and Lake Seminole converge in a peaceful park decorated with evergreen pines as well as hardwood trees that change their colors. Plan your trip: Three Rivers State Park 09 of 43 Florida: Torreya State Park DEP This state park is a great spot to see fall foliage, particularly during the peak season, which arrives in the middle of November. The park is named after one of America's most endangered trees, the Torreya, which you can see on the grounds. Plan your trip: Torreya State Park 10 of 43 Georgia: Black Rock Mountain Kirkland This park has some of the state's most dramatic scenery. It's situated in Mountain City and is filled with hardwoods changing colors in autumn. Plan your trip: Black Rock Mountain 11 of 43 Georgia: Ellijay rodclementphotography / Getty Images North Georgia's apple capital is also a destination for beautiful fall foliage. Ellijay's charming downtown is lined with trees bursting into reds and golds in autumn. Plan your trip: Ellijay 12 of 43 Georgia: Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway Courtesy of exploregeorgia.com This is the perfect spot to witness one of the South's most stunning sites of changing leaves. The meandering road is flanked by trees undergoing seasonal shifts and includes several turnoffs with scenic overlooks. Plan your trip: Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway 13 of 43 Georgia: Sweetwater Creek State Park Courtesy of the Georgia Department on Natural Resources This 2,549-acre greenspace situated in Lithia Springs offers several hiking trails and picnic shelters, as well as a site of historic mill ruins, all in addition to views of the region's fall foliage. Plan your trip: Sweetwater Creek State Park 14 of 43 Georgia: Tallulah Gorge Alexa Lampasona Visitors can hike on trails overlooking the rim of the gorge and its waterfalls all while taking in the glimmering yellow oaks and red-tinted maple trees. While you're there, check out the charming town of Tallulah Falls. Plan your trip: Tallulah Gorge 15 of 43 Kentucky: Dale Hollow Lake Courtesy of kentuckytourism.com Take in fall color from land, or by boat at this 27,700-acre reservoir. Forest-covered hills and sweeping views showcase the natural beauty of the region. Plan your trip: Dale Hollow Lake 16 of 43 Kentucky: Red River Gorge Courtesy of kentuckytourism.com This densely forested area is a designated Geological Area, National Natural Landmark, and National Archaeological District, and it's one of the top spots for fall color. Plan your trip: Red River Gorge 17 of 43 Kentucky: The Parklands of Floyds Fork John Nation/Courtesy of 21st Century Parks For urban fall color near Louisville, head to Beckley Creek, Pope Lick, The Strand, Turkey Run, or Broad Run Park. Each park traces Floyds Fork, a stream lined with color-changing trees. Plan your trip: The Parklands of Floyd Fork 18 of 43 Maryland: Deep Creek Lake Courtesy of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Whether you're up for extreme sports (from rock climbing to world-class paddling), prefer a serene forest hike, or would rather spend the day browsing local antique shops and spend the night curled up by the fire at Deep Creek Lodge, this area truly has it all. Plan your trip: Deep Creek Lake 19 of 43 Maryland: Highland Scenic Highway Courtesy of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce The town of Accident, Maryland might not sound like a place you'd want to visit, but it is home to one of the state's best technicolor fall views at the Route 219 scenic overlook on the Highland Scenic Highway. Plan your trip: Highland Scenic Highway 20 of 43 Mississippi: Cypress Swamp Courtesy of natcheztracetravel.com/Vince Havens The Natchez Trace Parkway has some of the deep South's brightest fall color. At Milepost 122, just north of Jackson, Mississippi, you'll find a swamp filled with tupelo and bald cypress trees. A boardwalk stretches through the bogs so you can walk beneath a canopy of vibrant foliage. Plan your trip: Cypress Swamp 21 of 43 Mississippi: Jeff Busby Park Courtesy of natcheztracetravel.com/Debby McElroy Curtis At Milepost 193.1 on the Natchez Parkway, check out the views at Jeff Busby Park. Fall foliage on the parkway is typically at or near its colorful peak from mid-October through mid-November. Plan your trip: Jeff Busby Park 22 of 43 Mississippi: River Bend Courtesy of natcheztracetravel.com/Joyce Richard At Milepost 122.6 along the Natchez Trace Parkway, make a stop at River Bend to see Madison County, Mississippi's fall foliage. The stop includes a picnic area and plenty of space to walk around and enjoy views of fall leaves reflecting on the water. Plan your trip: River Bend 23 of 43 Missouri: Forest Park Courtesy o the Missouri Division of Tourism Forest Park is a magnificent destination for fall photography. The massive park includes attractions such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Missouri History Museum, which offer extra incentives for visiting leaf peepers and shutterbugs. Plan your trip: Forest Park 24 of 43 Missouri: Table Rock Lake Courtesy of the Missouri Division of Tourism Take Route 65 from Springfield to the Arkansas state line south of Branson. There are some significant hills along this route, which offer you the chance to see for miles and miles. Taking a boat ride on Table Rock Lake (near Branson) when the leaves are at their peak color is an unforgettable experience. Plan your trip: Table Rock Lake 25 of 43 North Carolina: Asheville ExploreAsheville.com Asheville, North Carolina is a great location if your goal is finding foliage and also enjoying laid-back city life. There are lots of fall color prediction maps online to help you plan your visit. Plan your trip: Asheville 26 of 43 North Carolina: Blue Ridge Parkway Courtesy of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority When you want the best autumn foliage the South has to offer, this parkway offers the most vibrant panoramas of fall foliage along the East Coast. It was even voted the South's best scenic drive by our readers in 2022. Plan your trip: Blue Ridge Parkway 27 of 43 North Carolina: Panthertown Valley Mary Anne Baker This area features 30 miles of backcountry trails and 12 waterfalls—a destination for hikers, photographers, backpackers, and mountain bikers alike. Its high elevation offers up great foliage views. Plan your trip: Panthertown Valley 28 of 43 North Carolina: Whiteside Mountain Stacy Redmond The famed "Shadow of the Bear" is a phenomenon that casts a bear-shaped shadow along Whiteside Mountain during only a select few weeks in October. Even if you miss the shadow, the beautiful fall foliage lasts until the winter. Plan your trip: Whiteside Mountain 29 of 43 South Carolina: Falls Park on the Reedy Courtesy of VisitGreenvilleSC.com Downtown Greenville, South Carolina, has lots of walkable streets and color-changing trees. Falls Park on the Reedy surrounds the Reedy River and is consistently ranked a Top 10 Park by TripAdvisor for its stunning views. Plan your trip: Falls Park on the Reedy 30 of 43 South Carolina: Lake Keowee Courtesy of the Reserve at Lake Keowee Fall foliage in South Carolina doesn't get much better than the patchwork of autumn leaves along the 300-mile shoreline surrounding Lake Keowee in the town of Seneca. Plan your trip: Lake Keowee 31 of 43 South Carolina: Poinsett Bridge SCPRT The oldest bridge in South Carolina offers travelers a nice spot to enjoy a picnic, wade in the Little Gap Creek, go hiking, and enjoy the foliage. Plan your trip: Poinsett Bridge 32 of 43 Tennessee: Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium CaseSensitive With 3,550-acres of nature, a 44-acre lake, and miles of hiking trails, there's beauty around every corner at Bays Mountain Park. If you'd like to stargaze on a clear autumn night, you can do that here too. Plan your trip: Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium 33 of 43 Tennessee: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Courtesy of the Tennesse Department of Tourist Development The 125,000 acres of land along the Cumberland Plateau that make up the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area are an adventurer's autumn dream. Plan your trip: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area 34 of 43 Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Courtesy of the Tennesse Department of Tourist Development America's most visited national park is a treasure trove of adventure and leaf peeping during the autumn months. Guests can explore the many miles of hiking trails to see historic sites and waterfalls all accented by a palette of fall color. Plan your trip: Great Smoky Mountains National Park 35 of 43 Tennessee: Watauga Lake Courtesy of the Carter County Elizabethton Chamber of Commerce Locals know that Watauga Lake has some of the best fall color around. Sailing along this man-made reservoir with the mountains ablaze in autumnal colors is a wonderful way to spend a fall afternoon. Plan your trip: Watauga Lake 36 of 43 Texas: Guadalupe River Mike Marvin Find bright red sumac trees, blazing yellow cottonwoods, pale yellow chinaberries, mixed orange and yellow sycamores, and glowing orange cypress trees along this picturesque river in central Texas. Plan your trip: Guadalupe River 37 of 43 Texas: Lost Maples State Natural Area BROWN W. CANNON III This park is filled with bigtooth maples that put on a vibrant show and draw significant fall crowds. Late October and November is the best time to see the most color in Hill Country. Plan your trip: Lost Maples State Natural Area 38 of 43 Virginia: Blue Ridge Parkway Courtesy of Visit Virginia Blue Ridge The Blue Ridge Parkway offers beautiful views up and down the East Coast. This thoroughfare follows the peaks and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains and is home to some of the most spectacular fall scenery in the world. Plan your trip: Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway 39 of 43 Virginia: James River Courtesy of Botetourt County Tourism Fourteen miles of this pristine river are designated as a Virginia Scenic River, and if you visit in the fall, you'll know exactly why. The shoreline along the river is papered with autumn leaves and some of the brightest foliage around. Plan your trip: James River 40 of 43 Virginia: Mabry Mill Bruce Henderson / Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Explore this historic gristmill and blacksmith shop while you take in the surrounding scenery. It's surrounded by picturesque mountains and colorful trees that come alive in the fall. Plan your trip: Mabry Mill 41 of 43 Virginia: Smith Mountain Lake Tedd Pratt/Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce Boat rentals, miles of trails, and picturesque cabins make the surrounding state park a perfect destination year-round, but in fall, the forests light up with foliage, making it an ideal autumn destination too. Plan your trip: Smith Mountain Lake 42 of 43 West Virginia: Blackwater Falls State Park Danita Delimont/Getty Images Lauded as an area with some of the brightest foliage in the South, the forests in and around Blackwater Falls State park surround hiking trails, rushing rivers, and dramatic waterfalls. Stop at the viewing area to see Blackwater Falls, the centerpiece of the park. Plan your trip: Blackwater Falls State Park 43 of 43 West Virginia: New River Gorge Scott Suchman For more great West Virginia foliage, set your sights on New River Gorge, a national park and preserve in southern West Virginia. Deep canyons, a whitewater river, and a stunning bridge are hallmarks of the area. Plan your trip: New River Gorge Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit