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When autumn arrives, certain state forests across the U.S. erupt into a kaleidoscope of color, turning quiet landscapes into unforgettable scenes. Unlike busier national parks, these forests often offer a more peaceful leaf-peeping experience, with trails, lakes, and scenic overlooks framed in fiery reds, deep golds, and glowing oranges. From the crisp air of the Northeast to the rolling hills of the Midwest and the mountain ridges of the South, these destinations combine stunning fall color with outdoor adventures, making them perfect for a seasonal getaway.
Camden Hills, Maine
Camden Hills State Park offers a spectacular vantage point over Maine’s rugged coastline during peak foliage season. The park’s network of trails, including the popular hike up Mount Battie, leads to sweeping views of Penobscot Bay framed by a canvas of crimson and gold leaves. Visitors can drive the auto road to the summit for a quicker view or enjoy picnicking in wooded areas where the scent of pine mingles with the crisp autumn air. The mix of ocean vistas and forested hills makes Camden Hills one of New England’s most striking fall destinations.
Groton, Vermont
Groton State Forest is a quintessential Vermont fall escape, with its rolling hills, mirror-like ponds, and trails lined with sugar maples. The forest’s seven state parks provide endless opportunities for hiking, biking, and paddling among brilliant foliage. Ricker Pond and Lake Groton are especially scenic in autumn, their waters reflecting the reds, oranges, and yellows of surrounding hardwoods. Wildlife watchers may spot loons, deer, or migrating birds while enjoying the quiet serenity that blankets this lesser-crowded corner of the Green Mountain State.
Franconia Notch, New Hampshire
Set in the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Forest is a showstopper when the leaves change. The Kancamagus Highway, which runs nearby, offers one of the most famous fall drives in the country, but trails like the Franconia Ridge Loop immerse visitors directly into the color. Mountainsides blaze with maple, birch, and beech, contrasting against the evergreen pines and rugged granite peaks. The forest’s waterfalls, such as The Basin, become even more picturesque framed by autumn foliage, making it a photographer’s dream.
Pisgah, North Carolina
Pisgah State Forest in western North Carolina is a prime Southern Appalachian leaf-peeping spot. Known for its hardwood forests and rushing mountain streams, Pisgah lights up in fall with brilliant reds from maples, golden hickories, and orange oaks. Scenic drives like the Blue Ridge Parkway pass through or near the forest, offering overlooks with sweeping mountain views. Trails lead to cascading waterfalls such as Looking Glass Falls, where colorful foliage creates a striking backdrop. Cool, crisp mornings make this forest perfect for hiking and photography.
Allegheny, New York
In southwestern New York, Allegheny State Forest boasts expansive ridges, valleys, and lakes that glow with fall color. The park is divided into Red House and Quaker areas, each offering unique scenery. Scenic drives wind through dense stands of maple and oak, while trails lead to overlooks that reveal rolling hills painted in fiery tones. The forest’s size ensures that even during peak season, visitors can find quiet spots to take in the autumn beauty, whether from a canoe on a still lake or a secluded picnic area.
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia
Blackwater Falls State Forest earns its name from the amber-tinted waterfall at its heart, but in autumn, it’s the surrounding hardwood forest that steals the show. Bright foliage frames the falls and nearby Blackwater Canyon, offering one of the most dramatic fall landscapes in the state. Hiking trails like Lindy Point lead to overlooks with panoramic views of the gorge. The mix of color from maple, birch, and oak, contrasted with the evergreen spruce, creates a rich palette that peaks in early to mid-October.
Letchworth, New York
Often called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Forest is breathtaking in autumn. The deep gorge carved by the Genesee River is flanked by cliffs up to 600 feet high, all blanketed in vivid fall foliage. Three major waterfalls punctuate the canyon, each framed by fiery reds and golds. Scenic overlooks provide postcard-worthy views, while trails along the rim let visitors soak in the color from multiple vantage points. The mix of geological grandeur and seasonal beauty makes Letchworth unforgettable in the fall.
Shawnee, Ohio
Known as the “Little Smokies,” Shawnee State Forest in southern Ohio rivals its Appalachian cousins for fall beauty. Its rugged hills and valleys are covered in oak, hickory, and maple that turn brilliant shades in October. The forest’s 60 miles of bridle trails and scenic roads offer countless ways to explore, whether on foot, horseback, or by car. With fewer crowds than many better-known destinations, Shawnee delivers a peaceful and immersive fall foliage experience.
Brown County, Indiana
Brown County State Forest is Indiana’s crown jewel for autumn color. Rolling hills covered in hardwoods create a painter’s palette of red, gold, and orange. Scenic drives like the Brown County Loop and numerous hiking trails let visitors take in the beauty at their own pace. The nearby town of Nashville adds to the charm with art galleries, cafes, and fall festivals. This combination of natural beauty and small-town atmosphere makes it a favorite Midwest leaf-peeping spot.
Porcupine Mountains, Michigan
Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains State Forest, or “the Porkies,” offers a mix of hardwood forests, waterfalls, and Lake Superior vistas. In autumn, the forest explodes with color, with maple, birch, and aspen reflecting in the region’s many lakes. The Lake of the Clouds overlook is one of the best places in the Midwest to witness fall’s brilliance. Hikers can enjoy miles of backcountry trails, where the only sounds are rustling leaves and distant waterfalls.
Savoy Mountain, Massachusetts
Savoy Mountain State Forest in the Berkshires offers sweeping ridgelines and quiet ponds surrounded by autumn’s glow. Trails lead to overlooks like Spruce Hill, where visitors can see miles of color stretching across western Massachusetts. The forest’s higher elevation means cooler temperatures and an earlier peak season, making it ideal for those seeking to catch the foliage before lower elevations change. Camping here in the fall means waking up to misty mornings and fiery treetops.
George Washington, Minnesota
In northern Minnesota, the George Washington State Forest blends aspen, birch, and maple with dark green conifers for a striking fall contrast. The forest is dotted with lakes and streams, perfect for canoeing or fishing under the canopy of changing leaves. Scenic byways and remote trails give visitors a chance to experience the autumn beauty without the crowds, while crisp nights make for cozy campfires. This is a top pick for those who want both color and solitude.
Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania
Often called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Pine Creek Gorge is a must-see in the fall. The steep canyon walls are blanketed in hardwoods that turn vibrant shades by mid-October. Overlooks like Colton Point and Leonard Harrison provide stunning panoramas of the gorge and the meandering Pine Creek below. The Pine Creek Rail Trail offers a different perspective, taking cyclists and hikers along the valley floor under the canopy of glowing foliage.
Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin
Devil’s Lake State Forest combines dramatic quartzite cliffs with a patchwork of autumn color. Trails wind up to high overlooks where visitors can gaze down on the lake framed by fiery red maples and golden oaks. Rock formations like Balanced Rock add unique visual interest to the fall scenery. Whether hiking the bluffs or paddling the lake, visitors are surrounded by the brilliant colors of Wisconsin’s peak foliage season.