from Away.com

Related Guides


Article Menu
  Top 10 Fall Forests

Allegheny N.F.
Chequamegon- Nicolet N.F.
Coconino N.F.
Green Mountain N.F.
Gunnison N.F.
Inyo N.F.
Mark Twain N.F.
Pisgah N.F.
White Mountain N.F.
Willamette N.F.

Related Resources
GORP: U.S. National Forests
GORP: Autumn's Best
GORPtravel: Fall Trips

online favorites
DESTINATIONS
GORP Top Ten
Autumn Escapes: Fall's Best Forests
By Ian Wilker
To the true insiders — people who live and work in one corner or another of the great North American forest — it's pretty much a given that autumn's the best time of year to be out in the woods.

White Mountain N.F. Green Mountain N.F. Allegheny N.F. Pisgah N.F. Mark Twain N.F. Chequamegon-Nicolet N.F. Gunnison N.F. Coconino N.F. Inyo  N.F. Willamette N.F.

1. Willamette National Forest,
OR

2. Inyo National Forest, CA
3. Coconino National Forest,
AZ

4. Gunnison National Forest, CO
5. Chequamegon-Nicolet N.F., WI
6. Mark Twain National Forest, MO
7. Pisgah National Forest, NC
8. Allegheny National Forest, PA
9. Green Mountain National
Forest, VT

10. White Mountain N.F.,
NH - ME

The summer heat relents, and with the first light frost you can say good-bye to bugs for the year. Hardwood trees burst into their variegated fall color. Raptors and geese migrate overhead; elk bugle; huckleberries ripen. And though leaf-peepers may crowd the roadways, B&Bs, and standard tourist attractions, humanity is much less present on the trails, in the campgrounds, anywhere out there beyond the reach of heating oil, down comforters, and other civilized signs that the season is changing.

White Mountain National Forest
Colors along the Kancamagus Highway,
in White Mountain National Forest.

This story is about seeing the change of seasons play out on nature's grandest stages. We've picked out our ten favorite national forests to celebrate autumn's coming, and included a few specific hikes, trail rides, and crowd-free scenic drives with each. And now the ball's in your court; don't let the deep freeze creep up on you — seize this best of seasons, and get out there!


Return to * Top


Book an Active Vacation
star Autumn Adventures
Explore all the autumnal adventures North America has to offer, from coastal Maine to the Canadian Rockies.

Top Fall Destinations
bulletNew England
bulletMid-Atlantic
bulletFar West
bulletSouthwest
bulletCanada

RELATED GORP LINKS
* GORP: U.S. National Forests
* GORP: The Best of Autumn
* GORPtravel: Fall Trips



Related Planes/Trains/Autos & Driving Tours Trips

Road Trip Guides

National Park Guides

Hiking Guides

Today's Gear Guy

Gear Guides
[from Outside magazine]