Leaf-peeping season is one of the few travel trends that’s completely free to enjoy, assuming you can time it right. Here are five spots across the country where autumn color reliably puts on a show.

New England’s Backroads

Vermont and New Hampshire get most of the fame, and honestly, they earn it. Sugar maples turn brilliant red and orange against white church steeples and covered bridges, usually peaking in early to mid-October. Route 100 through Vermont is a classic, unhurried drive if you’d rather wander than rush.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Stretching through Virginia and North Carolina, this is one of the most scenic drives in the country even in summer. In fall, the elevation changes mean you can chase color for weeks, higher elevations turn first, so you get a rolling wave of foliage rather than one short window.

Upper Michigan’s Quiet Corner

Less crowded than the coastal favorites, the Upper Peninsula offers dense forests, waterfalls, and Lake Superior shoreline all wrapped in color by late September. It’s a solid pick if you want the visual payoff without fighting crowds for a parking spot.

Colorado’s Aspen Groves

Instead of the reds of the East Coast, Colorado offers something different: entire hillsides of aspen trees turning a shockingly bright gold, usually peaking in late September to early October depending on elevation. The Maroon Bells near Aspen are a favorite for a reason.

The Great Smoky Mountains

Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, this is the most visited national park in the country, and fall is arguably its best season. The mix of tree species means color unfolds gradually from mid-October into early November, giving visitors a wider window than most other destinations.

Timing Is Everything

Peak foliage shifts a bit each year depending on temperature and rainfall, so it’s worth checking a state tourism site or foliage tracker before locking in travel dates. Booking a week too early or too late is the single biggest regret leaf-peepers report.

Related reading: Pumpkin Spice Season Is Back | The Fall Home Maintenance Checklist