The Best US Destinations To Photograph the Foliage

As a photography enthusiast or business owner, embarking on a journey across the country to find the best spots to capture foliage is a thrill. This experience means immersing yourself in a kaleidoscope of colors and the many US locations that offer unforgettable seasonal changes and landscapes. Here, we explore the best US destinations to photograph the foliage and guarantee a portfolio of spellbinding images.

New England States

No foliage photography bucket list is complete without the New England states. This region celebrates its deciduous forests, and when fall sweeps through, it’s an experience like no other. Vermont’s leaf-peeping routes are world-renowned, and the contrast of white church steeples against fiery backdrops offers a classic New England scene. Meanwhile, New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Maine’s Acadia National Park boast an evergreen canvas punctuated by the vibrant transformation of maple, oak, and birch trees.

Iconic locations include the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, the Green Mountain Byway in Vermont, and the Acadia National Park Loop Road in Maine. Each offers broad vistas and intimate forest scenes.

Great Smoky Mountains

As the most visited national park in America, the Great Smoky Mountains is a favorite spot for many during late summer and early fall. Its diverse elevation range results in a patchwork of fall colors, from rich greens at lower elevations to bright yellows and oranges in the high country. The park provides ethereal landscapes that beautifully complement the foliage.

Rocky Mountains

The Rockies’ rugged terrain softens with warm colors and aspens that turn whole mountainsides into shimmering gold seas. Colorado’s Maroon Bells—dubbed the most photographed mountains in North America—are particularly breathtaking. Montana’s Glacier National Park and Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park also present stunning, crisp foliage against dramatic mountain backdrops.

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforests provide a contrast to the typical bright-hued landscapes found in other parts of the country. Here, the Oregon and Washington coasts offer an interplay of misty seascapes and the unique red hues of the Pacific Northwest’s native vine maples.

In Northern California, the redwoods of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties offer an ancient setting for the more transient display. Meanwhile, Hells Canyon along the Oregon-Idaho border offers an exclusive ruggedness that adds an adventurous spirit to your seasonal photography outings.

Southern States

The Southern United States foliage may not be as famous as its northern counterparts, but it is equally impressive. North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway, Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, Alabama’s Cheaha State Park, and Arkansas’s Ozark National Forest all present an often overlooked colorful array. The waterfalls and creeks of the Great Smoky Mountains provide the perfect complement to any foliage featured in the photo.

These are some of the best US destinations to photograph the foliage and the country’s most beautiful landscapes. These locations offer diversity in terrain, foliage, and cultural experience and guarantee a wealth of images that tell the story of America’s seasons.