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  • Writer's pictureBryan Donoghue
    • Oct 7, 2021
    • 3 min read

Leaf Peeping: Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage in the Central(ish) United States

Top Regions in the Mountain West and Midwestern States to see the Leaves Change this Autumn


leaves changing as the Grandest of Tetons looms in the background

Grand Teton National Park, WY - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan





So, surprise surprise, this time around we're bringing you our picks for the best foliage areas in the middle of the country. Yes, we realize this is quite a large area to cover in just a single post. But if we keep breaking this up region-by-region, there won't be any leaves left on the trees by the time we finish! So, in the interest of getting you this information as soon as possible, we've combined our picks for the Midwest and the Mountain West regions of the country.


Brilliant yellow trees frame an astounding view of the Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Photo Credit: Paul Engel



As we mentioned in our previous foliage articles, smokymountains.com has a GREAT interactive map to help you determine what areas have peak foliage depending on the time of year - and it's not just for the Smokies, it's for the entire (contiguous) USA! Click here to check it out, but remember - just like the weather itself there's no way to predict foliage patterns with 100% success, so don't be mad at them (or us!) if you feel you might have missed peak season in your respective location.


MILO IS THE BEST DOG ON THE PLANET! HE LIKES LEAVES

Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know at blog@pathloom.com - send us a photo and we'll feature it on an upcoming


So in conclusion of our celebration of one of the unanimous Top Four Seasons of the Year (last time I use that one I swear), here are our favorite areas of the Central United States for fall foliage!


 

leaves changing around a tiny waterfall at Glacier National Park in Montana

Glacier National Park, MT - Photo Credit: Daniel Gutierrez



Fluffy trees changing colors in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan



Sun setting on the Grand Tetons as the leaves change colors in the foreground

Grand Teton National Park, WY - Photo Credit: Nicole Quinn



striated rocks in the badlands framed by fluffy little yellow trees

Badlands National Park, SD - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan



trees changing colors everywhere on both sides of a river in Finland State Forest in Minnesota

Beaver Bay: Finland State Forest, MN - Photo Credit: Andrew Ling



The Lake of the Clouds in Upper Peninsula Michigan, surrounded by brilliantly colored fall foliage

Lake of the Clouds: Upper Peninsula, MI - Photo Credit: Dave Hoefler



Stark yellow trees present quite a contrast to the dead trees in the background at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

Harbison Meadow: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Photo Credit: Chris Blake





 

Do you think we left out one of your favorite leaf peepin' places over the course of this series? Are you a photographer that would like to contribute to future Pathloom articles? Let us know at blog@pathloom.com!

 

Check out these other articles by Pathloom which you may enjoy:



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