Fall foliage tours: ways to see the color
A scenic drive is the classic way to see fall color, but it’s far from the only one. You can ride a train through the mountains, cruise a lake ringed with maples, float over the treetops at sunrise, or let someone else handle the driving entirely. Here are the most popular kinds of fall foliage tours and trips, and how to time each one.
Train rides
Scenic and heritage railroads through valleys no road reaches.
Boat cruises
Lakes, rivers, and the coast, with color reflected in the water.
Bus and day tours
See the mountains from the city without driving or parking.
Gondolas, balloons, and flights
Lifts, trams, hot air balloons, and scenic flights.
Photography
Light, composition, and photo tours and workshops.
Hikes and walks
Guided and self-guided, from village loops to summits.
Bike rides and tours
Rail trails, carriage roads, and quiet back roads.
Canoe and kayak trips
Quiet water, mirror reflections, and shoreline color.
Guided or on your own?
Guided tours take care of the route, the timing, and the logistics, and a good guide adds stories and knowledge you wouldn’t get on your own. They’re a good choice for a first visit, for busy peak weekends, and for activities that need gear or skill, like ballooning or paddling.
Self-guided trips give you the most freedom to follow the color as it moves. The scenic drives and the national park and forest guides are good places to start.
Which kind of tour fits you?
Short on time, or no car? A day tour from the city. Want to sit back and watch? A train ride or a boat cruise. Want the big picture? A gondola, balloon, or scenic flight. Want to be in it? A hike or walk, a bike ride, or a canoe or kayak trip. Want great pictures? See fall foliage photography.
How to time any foliage trip
Fall color moves south and downhill over several weeks, and at any one place, near-peak color usually lasts about a week to ten days. So the key to any tour is matching your dates to the place you’re going, not to where you live. Check the destination on the foliage map, which shows today’s estimated color and a five-week outlook, browse the fall foliage calendar to see which regions peak each week, or see where to go this weekend.
Peak weekends are the busiest, especially holiday weekends in October, so book early for popular dates. Days a little before peak often have nearly as much color and fewer people.
Quick answers
What is the best way to see fall foliage?
It depends on what you enjoy. A scenic drive is the most flexible. Trains and boat cruises are the most relaxing. Hikes, bike rides, and paddles put you right in the color, and gondolas and balloons show the big picture from above.
Can I see fall foliage without driving?
Yes. Bus and day tours leave from many big cities, and train rides and boat cruises let someone else do the driving. Many town and city parks are also reachable by transit.
When should I book a fall foliage tour?
As early as you can for peak weekends, especially holiday weekends in October. Weekdays near peak are usually easier to book and less crowded.
How long does peak fall color last?
At any one place, near-peak color usually lasts about a week to ten days. Because color moves downhill and south over several weeks, you can often find peak somewhere within a few hours’ drive.
Keep reading
See where the color is peaking today.
Open the foliage map