Great Places to See Fall Foliage in the US

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A couple looks out from the balcony of a treehouse at Primland, taking in the reds, oranges, and greens of Kibler Valley.

Fall gives travelers a new call to action—to soak up the changing scenery, pursue outdoor activities in the bracing weather, and then curl up in a cozy hotel with a mug of apple cider.

On fall foliage getaways across the United States, from Montana to Maine, you’ll observe the hills come alive with a palette of reds, yellows, and oranges. While the exact timing varies from year to year, we’ve ordered these recommended destinations based on when their autumn colors tend to peak. 

Platinum Card® Members who book a stay at Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel receive an exclusive suite of benefits that includes a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges1, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available2 daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4pm check-out

Book at least two nights with The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel, and you’ll get a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges1, a room upgrade upon arrival, when available2, and 12pm check-in and late check-out, both when available.

Read on for great places to see fall foliage this season.

The Summit Hotel at Big Sky Resort is surrounded by hiking trails and ski lifts perfect for bringing you up close to – and even up above – the tree canopy. For breathtaking views, ride the Lone Peak tram up to a scenic overlook 11,000 feet above the ground. Play a round of golf on the resort course before the season ends, try your hand at archery, and keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. More wildlife and exhilarating views await at Yellowstone National Park; the west entrance is 60 miles away. After your outdoor adventures, unwind with inventive American fare, craft cocktails, and live music at Carabiner— and remember your $100 credit can be applied towards the tab.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-Late September

Fine Hotels + Resorts
Location Aspen, Colorado

The Little Nell

In the Paepcke Suite, a white day bed looks out glass doors to a patio with lounge chairs. Beyond, a green slope is traversed by a funicular.
Map The Little Nell
Under a glass canopy in an earthy-brown room, a circular hot tub is surrounded by wicker chairs and couches with white cushions.
Map The Little Nell
A guest room is furnished with a bed, a sitting area with armchairs and an ottoman, and a black desk. The walls and carpets are light brown.
Map The Little Nell
The patio of the Ajax Tavern is packed with silver tables and brown chairs. Black awnings announce the restaurant name in red diamonds.
Map The Little Nell
Two black adirondack chairs are arrayed on gravel overlooking a forested valley. Two vacationers wearing baseball caps lounge and chat.
Map The Little Nell

Aspen isn’t just for ski season. In fall, the trees that give the city its name turn into dazzling shades of gold on the slopes that’ll soon be covered with snow. And with its central location, The Little Nell is a prime locale for observing it all, delivering views of downtown, Aspen Mountain, and the Red Mountain range. Experience the foliage with an off-road trek up to the summit of Aspen, or with a walk-and-wade fly fishing expedition along Roaring Fork River. Back at the resort, you can head to the wine cellar for tastings or to the Health Center to bask in the steam room or get a facial massage. Your $100 credit can be put toward other treats, like truffle fries at Ajax Tavern or a wagyu steak at Element 47.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Late September

The Hotel Collection
Location Manchester Village, Vermont

Kimpton Taconic Hotel

Pastoral Manchester Village is a sight to behold come September and October, and Kimpton Taconic Hotel delivers quintessential New England vibes. The crisp air feels a little better when you can lounge in a four-poster bed or on a rocking chair – and tuck into comfort food like shepherd’s pie from Copper Grouse.  The boutiques of Main Street make for charming shopping, and the nearby Southern Vermont Arts Center is a must for aesthetes. Make this rural estate your jumping-off point for fly-fishing on the Battenkill, enjoying live music and a local brew, or hiking Mount Stratton. With any luck, you’ll get late check-out, giving you more time to take advantage of complimentary bike rentals and walking sticks to explore the rolling hills and rustling maple boughs. 

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Late September–Early October

The Blue Ridge Mountains turn warmer shades around Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, a 12,000-acre Virginia resort just over the border from North Carolina. In addition to the rugged mountain hikes, you can golf on the course surrounding the resort or take a soak in the hot tub. Get a taste of the region with a flight of moonshine or a live Bluegrass session. Take a walk around the historic Mabry Mill and then recharge at The Spa, which uses natural products like a scrub made of blue corn and local honey to rejuvenate the body and mind. Your $100 credit can even be applied towards a treatment.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early October

Fine Hotels + Resorts
Location Jackson, Wyoming

Amangani

The dramatic landscapes of the Grand Tetons set the tone for this mountain lodge, which is truly embedded in the wild western landscape, from the residences along the side of East Gros Ventre Butte to the massage stones taken from the bed of the Snake River. The contemporary suites go big on wood and stone materials and all include terraces or balconies with mountain views.  Let one of the in-house naturalists take you on a private tour of Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park or find your own way among the area’s interlinking hiking trails. Before you depart, make time for one last farm-to-table meal at The Grill or stretch out your traveling muscles with a yoga class. You can savor the stay a little longer thanks to guaranteed 4pm check-out.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early-to-Mid October

Watch as the cottonwoods, aspens, and willows of the Sierra Nevada Mountains change color from your mid-mountain perch at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, within the Northstar California Ski Resort. In between the ski season bustle and the summer boating crowds, the area becomes a little quieter, and a little more your own. Venture throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin to pick apples, enjoy a cider cocktail or milkshake, and see the autumnal colors reflected in the lake itself. Your $100 credit can be applied towards a deep muscle massage at the spa or a dinner at Manzanita, the property’s signature restaurant, which serves up local ingredients cooked with a mix of Mexican and Pacific Northwestern sensibilities.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early-to-Mid October

Fine Hotels + Resorts
Location White Lake, New York

The Chatwal Lodge

View from below of a treehouse 15 feet up, with horizontal wood panel siding, iron grid balconies, and a glass wall on the smaller near end.
Map The Chatwal Lodge
The master bedroom in a treehouse has piecework stone floors, a gray rug, and wooden furniture, all under an antler chandelier.
Map The Chatwal Lodge
A small private boat motors across a lake in front of densely forested shores. Three people recline in the sun on the boat.
Map The Chatwal Lodge

An all-inclusive resort in New York’s Catskills Mountains, The Chatwal Lodge occupies a former 18,000-acre wildlife reserve on the shores of the Toronto Reservoir. There are just 14 suites, but with your room upgrade upon arrival, when available, you might have an even more unique stay than you anticipated, whether it’s in a treehouse, a stone cabin, or one of the central lodge’s rooms. Regardless, you can expect rustic patterns, woodwork, and art that put a sophisticated spin on rustic living. Firepits, fly-fishing, and ample birdwatching are all available on site. Nearby Stone Arch Bridge Historical Park is perfect for scenic walks, and The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts hosts frequent concerts and an always-on museum at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early-to-Mid October

There’s lots to do in the White Mountains and you may be able to get a head start on adventure thanks to 12 pm check-in, when available, at The Omni Mount Washington Resort, a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture and go-to New England retreat since 1902. For a thrilling bird’s-eye perspective, join the resort’s Bretton Woods Canopy Tour, which takes you through the treetops on a series of ziplines, platforms, and sky bridges, all the while enjoying sweeping views of Mount Washington and the Presidential range. If you’re looking for a ground-level pastime, there’s no shortage of options, including golfing, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. Plus, the resort itself has a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub where you can soak away the seasonal chill.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Early-to-Mid October 

Hidden Pond Resort & Tree Spa, in the birch forests of Maine’s southern coast, adds a maritime element that makes the reds, yellows, and oranges of the birches around all the more delightful. There are guided forest therapy walks on the property as well as myriad surrounding hiking paths, plus the ocean is close enough to make beach bike rides and kayaking a regular activity. This property offers the additional benefit of daily breakfast for two, which you can enjoy at Earth, known for seasonal farm-to-fork food that might just be as photogenic as the changing leaves. And wind down with a massage or facial from a treehouse spa room. For more space and privacy, consider the cottages, bungalows, and lodges; cottages include two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, living rooms with gas fireplaces, screen porches, and private outdoor showers in select units.

When to Visit for Peak Foliage: Mid-October 

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