15 National Parks That Look Even More Beautiful in Fall
Updated: Aug. 02, 2021Visit one of these beautiful National Parks in the fall for the most breathtaking views of nature anyone in the United States has seen.
Big Bend National Park
“The colors in Big Bend National Park vary greatly throughout the year and change with the elevation. Taken in late November, this hike through Pine Canyon takes the adventurer from the low desert habitat to the base of the mountains. The final destination is a small waterfall called Pine Canyon Pouroff. In the summer, it is an oasis of cold air cooled by the falling water evaporating as it falls onto the rocks below. In the fall, the changing colors of the maple trees and the bright red bark of the madrone brings the colors of the canyon to life.” –Ali Berezin
Shenandoah National Park
“This is a photo of Shenandoah National Park taken in the fall of 2015. I have made many trips to Shenandoah National Park with my friend Rory Liebrum. We like to stay at Big Meadow Lodge and go for day hikes. This year we decided to dot the Shenandoah National Park and Rose River falls loop trail. It was great weather, and the leaves on the trees were at peak color. I like this photo because of all the years I have been visiting Shenandoah National Park, I have never seen this much water going over the falls. It was great to see and hear the falls.” –Dan Taylor. Don’t miss more spectacular photos of U.S. National Parks that will leave you awestruck.
Yellowstone National Park
“I have taken many trips to Yellowstone National Park to hike and photograph the wildlife and scenery. I love this fall shot of an elk since it reminds me of what an amazing time fall is at Yellowstone. The crowds are down, the animals are more prevalent, and the bull elk engage in sparring matches with other males starting with a budding call and then coming face-to-face and hitting antlers against each other.” –Dave Gish
Denali National Park
“We went to Alaska first week in September 2015. Went to Denali National Park. Absolutely beautiful! As my husband says, breathtaking!” –Emma Williams. Here are 40 more photos of National Parks covered in snow.
Glacier National Park
“When taking my mother on a trip throughout the western United States, we decided to take a side trip from our route for a day in Glacier National Park in Montana. It was a beautiful October day, and the water was as calm as could be to make this mirror image of the Rocky Mountains in McDonald Lake. Very glad we made the decision to see what was there. Now we can’t wait to go back to spend more time and see even more.” –James Melton, Check out the photos of 8 National Parks that look even more incredible starry nights.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
“A couple of years ago during the government shutdown, many areas we would have visited on our fall trip were closed. Something that couldn’t be shut down, however, was the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the fall colors were in the early stages of settling in. Driving through the Smokies from Asheville, NC, to Gatlinburg, my sister and I made several stops just to admire the scenery. This photograph represents one of those stops.” –Jim Starnes
Acadia National Park
“It’s always been a dream of mine to see the east coast in the fall. I love the fall colors, and Acadia National Park was beautiful in October. My husband and I were able to check off an item on our bucket lists.” –Joan Walber. Take a look at 10 stunning photos of National Parks in full bloom.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
“This cabin is located near the entrance of the Theodore Roosevelt NP. It is said that Mr. Roosevelt lived in the cabin during his time there. I was fortunate to be there on a beautiful fall day with not too many other people around to get a nice picture of it.” –Katherine Plessner
Rocky Mountain National Park
“This picture was taken on a trip in late September to Rocky Mountain National Park. The aspens were in full golden splendor. When on a hike to Hallet Peak, we paused momentarily to gaze through the trees and catch a glimpse of the grand mountains. It was breathtaking!” –Laura Collins. If you love these photos, you won’t even believe these 8 perfect nature photos caught on camera.
Zion National Park
“In November of 2015, my family and I went on a trip to Las Vegas. One of our must do excursions of our vacation was to hike the Angels Landing trail in Zion National park. It was a beautiful partly cloudy day in the low 60s. The hike was pretty strenuous but well worth it. The five-mile round trip took us about five hours. Much of the time was spent enjoying the amazing views that emerged around every corner. We concluded our hike near sunset. This photo was taken during the golden hour before sunset.”–Luke Pederson
Grand Teton National Park
“T.A Moulton barn took over 30 years to build the barn. His brother’s barn, John Moulton Barn, is just down the road. I love old barns, so this place is a photographer’s paradise with these beautiful old brands and the Grand Tetons Mountains in the background. Mid 1900s Mormon Row was acquired to expand Grand Teton National Park. In 1997, these were added to the national register of historic places. You can just stand out and look at these beautiful barns and think about how life must have been out here at these barns. They were absolutely lucky to find such a beautiful place to settle and make their homes.”–Melissa Gregorius
Bryce Canyon National Park
“This was one of hundreds of photos we took in October 2015 at Bryce Canyon National Park. What a beautiful place. We had never heard of this park before friends recommended we visit. A must see for nature lovers!”–Patricia Couch. Don’t forget to check out these 11 stunningly simple nature photos to get you psyched about spring.
Devil’s Tower National Monument
“Devil’s Tower changes in view daily from the glorious snow grasping the tower’s shafts in winter cold to the stark grey stone of summer surrounded by a green tapestry of trees. The fall season is especially inspiring as the grandeur of the park towers above you like a massive thumb standing proud and strong. Devil’s Tower is one of those parks from which you can enjoy the scenery from a distance or be encompassed by its shadow as you walk the path around the base of the tower. Often in the warmer months, you can watch the climbers challenge the mountainous tower. But from a distance near the park entrance, where this picture was taken, you just stop and look and are awed at the view.” –Ralph Weatherstone
Great Basin National Park
“Traveling west and visiting National Parks, I must admit, I had never heard of Great Basin National Park. We discovered it, however, and drove all the way in and back when the park was ablaze in beautiful fall color. Being from Florida, fall color is really special, since we don’t see much of it without traveling to do so. I chose this photo because it looks like a picture used for a jigsaw puzzle. It reminds me of growing up and helping my dad put together puzzles with landscapes much like this. Set against the background of the bright blue September sky. The varied colors were breathtaking.” –Sarah Tidwell
Capitol Reef National Park
“A bucket list photography trip was to go to the Utah National Parks during the fall color season. I made it there last November and it was gorgeous! Our first stop was at Capitol Reef National Park. Many times I just had to stop and say, ‘oh wow,’ before I could start taking some pictures as it was just so beautiful it was almost overwhelming!”–Katherine Plessner. Next, make sure you know the 32 secrets park rangers want you to know before your next trip to a national park.