Summary
- Hiawassee, Georgia: Experience the vibrant autumn colors at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy breathtaking views from the highest point in Georgia.
- Ouray, Colorado: Discover the hidden gem of Ouray with its brilliant fall foliage, charming streets, and scenic drives through Owl Creek Pass.
- Idyllwind, California: Escape busy schedules and immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn with stunning alpine vistas, lush forests, and hiking trails in the San Jacinto Mountains.
Mountain towns are year-round destinations with every kind of adventure, from skiing to hiking. However, there’s something magical about these towns during the fall when their diverse landscapes, packed with deciduous trees, turn into vibrant autumnal hues. The breathtaking fall colors paired with the sounds of nature from chirping birds and the sense of calmness also add to their allure.
While there are many underrated towns to visit in America, not all are best visited during the fall, as their mountains have evergreen trees. It's time to take leaf peepers through the most beautiful yet underrated US mountain towns in the fall that showcase the best autumn foliage. They may not be as famous as Stowe in Vermont and Aspen in Colorado, but that doesn't make them less charming.
10 Hiawassee, Georgia
Hiawassee is a hidden mountain gem that bursts with autumnal colors. It's at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia and less than a 20-minute drive to the Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet.
Brasstown Bald has a Visitor Center with an observation deck. Visitors come here to admire the broad views of the lush Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest as it showcases fiery autumnal color.
The recreational area also offers designated picnic areas for adventurers who want to unwind as they contemplate the inspiring vistas. Visitors reach the deck via a half-mile Summit Trail or a shuttle service.
- Best places to visit in Hiawassee, Georgia: Bell Mountain, Hiawassee Town Square, High Shoals Falls, Georgia Mountain Fair, Hightower Creek Vineyards
9 Ouray, Colorado
Ouray is one of the most underrated towns in Colorado, but despite it being unseen, it’s an incredible destination for adventurers to witness its brilliant fall foliage. The mountainous terrain enhances the beauty of the golden autumnal show even further by providing a rugged backdrop.
Leaf peepers witness this natural wonder by strolling along the charming streets with historic buildings or going for a scenic drive through Owl Creek Pass. A visit to Box Canyon Falls Park also immerses adventurers in the untamed beauty of autumn as they hike the Native Plant Loop with trees and soothing river sounds.
- Best places to visit in Ouray, Colorado: Ouray County Museum, Cascade Falls Park, Ouray Hot Springs, Yankee Boy Basin, Uncompahgre Gorge
8 Idyllwind, California
Idyllwind is a stunning small mountain town to escape from busy schedules and noisy city life in the fall. Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, this underrated town boasts alpine vistas and lush forests that entice travelers to hike when the leaves change.
One of the must-hike trails is the 2.3-mile Idyllwind South Loop, beginning along the Campground Trail in Idyllwild Park. The early fall weather conditions make it easy for hikers to leaf-peep and explore the abundant plant life as they admire the striking San Jacinto Mountains.
- Best places to visit in Idyllwild, California: Idyllwild Area Historical Society, Humber Park, Deer Springs Trailhead, Idyllwild Nature Center, Mount San Jacinto State Park
There are cozy cabins in Idyllwild, mostly A-Frames, for leaf peepers who want to spend the night or two.
7 Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
West Virginia is home to beautiful towns that are worth visiting, and Harpers Ferry is one of its top picks. This historic mountain town is in the northern corner of the Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia. As part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, this town boasts intriguing mid-1800s historical sites and scenic hiking trails with awe-inspiring autumnal displays.
The Murphy-Chambers Loop Trail leads hikers through fields and wooded ravines to a spectacular overlook of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. The 2.9-mile-long trail begins at the visitor center and showcases fascinating wayside exhibits and fall foliage in the wooded sections.
- Best places to visit in Harpers Ferry: Jefferson Rock, Harper Cemetery, Armory Canal, John Brown’s Fort, Appalachian National Scenic Trail
6 Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico, is a town known to soothe the soul, thus its nickname “Soul of the Southwest”. Adventurers immerse themselves in the beauty of autumn by going on a scenic drive along the 56-mile High Road to Taos.
This road takes autumn seekers to or from Taos to Santa Fe as it winds through the Carson National Forest. Travelers stop in various outlooks to admire the dramatic mountainscapes with seasonal colors.
- Best places to visit in Taos, New Mexico: Taos Pueblo, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Kit Carson Home & Museum, Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, Kit Carson Park
5 Banner Elk, North Carolina
Banner Elk is a quaint town surrounded by majestic peaks and native hardwoods that provide exceptional fall foliage views. The cool, crisp air enables adventurers to hit the hiking trails and soak in the autumn splendor closely.
Grandfather Mountain State Park boasts over 12 miles of courses leading to different viewpoints, such as Calloway Peak, providing sweeping views of the changing scenery. To reach Calloway Peak, hikers embark on a 7.4-mile out-and-back trail starting at the Profile Trail parking area and ending at the Calloway Gap.
- Best places to visit in Banner Elk, North Carolina: Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, Apple Hill Farm, Sugar Creek Gem Mine, Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, Sugar Mountain Resort
4 Lake Placid, New York
As the leaves take on vibrant orange and yellow shades, Lake Placid becomes one of the most underrated mountain towns in the US during fall; it transforms into an autumnal paradise with all the season’s fun. Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, known for its special features, Lake Placid puts leaf peepers near hiking trailheads for foliage views and scenic drives.
A favorite fall hike in this underrated mountain town is the Indian Head & Rainbow Falls Trail in Adirondack Mountain Reserve. Although challenging, this 10.8-mile trail provides excellent leaf-peeping through the woods, iconic Adirondack views, and an impressive waterfall at the end.
- Best places to visit in Lake Placid, New York: Mirror Lake, Mount Jo, Henry’s Wood, St Eustace Episcopal Church, John Brown Farm State Historic Site
While it’s difficult to tell the exact time to leaf-peep in Lake Placid, the end of September is typically a great time to visit.
3 North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway is an overlooked town with a population of under 2,500, so it’s also no surprise why it’s rated as one of the least-crowded towns in New Hampshire to see fall foliage. While North Conway is a year-round destination, fall adds a magical touch to this mountain town with its changing leaves and cozy atmosphere.
Visiting in autumn also gives leaf peepers seasonal opportunities, such as taking a fall foliage train ride on the historic Conway Scenic Railroad. However, travelers seeking mesmerizing fall foliage views in untouched landscapes hike around a lake in Echo Lake State Park.
- Best places to visit in North Conway, New Hampshire: Schouler Park, Black Cap, White Mountain Winery, New Hampshire 112 Highway, Cranmore Mountain Resort
2 Pinedale, Wyoming
Pinedale is an underrated town in the US with an extensive network of trails to reconnect with nature in the fall. Tucked into the foothills of the Wind River Range, Pinedale has stunning alpine lakes offering kayaking and canoeing opportunities up to early October.
For breathtaking fall foliage views from the water, leaf peepers kayak around Half Moon Lake surrounded by fiery aspens and firs. The 8.5-mile out-and-back trail along the shore also rewards adventurers with autumn views of the lake reflecting the surrounding fall foliage.
- Best places to visit in Pinedale, Wyoming: Squaretop Mountain, White Pine Resort, Fremont Lake, Elkhart Park
1 Rangeley, Maine
Thanks to Rangeley’s dynamic terrain of peaks, valleys, and vast waters, leaf peepers have many ways of appreciating fall colors. Adventurous souls hit the trails to Bald Mountain Public Reserved Land before the powdery white snow starts pouring.
Hikers enjoy far-reaching autumnal views of Rangeley Lake, Mooselookgemuntic Lake, and Saddleback Mountain after conquering a 2.3-mile-long trail. On the other hand, tourists who want to cover more autumn-covered ground go on a drive along the 36.5-mile Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway.
- Best places to visit in Rangeley, Maine: Height of Land, Small Falls, Coos Canyon, Outdoor Heritage Museum, Rangeley Lake State Park
Adventurers should take any of the amazing trips in Maine to make a fall getaway more magical.