It’s not too late to watch nature go through the autumn change. Leaves all over the country are turning on their own schedules and their majesty isn’t limited to the North American northeast, also. Here are but a few places you can immerse yourself in all things gold and orange and brown and yellow.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park may appear small on a map, but the park encompasses nearly 50,000 acres along the Atlantic Coastline of Maine—including Mount Desert Island, Schoodic Peninsula, Isle au Haut, and other outer islands. 60 miles of coastline, 33 miles of scenic motor roads, 45 miles of carriage roads, and more than 150 miles of hiking trails provide numerous ways to explore the park.
Acadia National Park is mostly located on Mount Desert Island, the largest island off the coast of Maine. The park stretches across half of the island, roughly divided by Somes Sound to create east and west sides.
The east side of Mount Desert Island is the most visited area of Acadia. The 27-mile Park Loop Road system offers outstanding views and access to popular spots.
McKenzie River Scenic Byway, Oregon
This byway travels through a portion of the Willamette National Forest on State Highway 126 east of Eugene and connects to the existing West Cascades Scenic Byway.
The landscape in this area was defined over the ages by actions of the McKenzie River, which created a travel route along its banks that has been in use for over 8,000 years. First by the Molalla and Kalapuya tribes; in the 1800s by the European hunters and explorers, and then by immigrants on wagon trains staking claims along the river. The route travels through the lower 34 miles of the 80-mile McKenzie River. It connects the I-5 corridor to two Nationally Designated Scenic Byways (McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass and the West Cascades).
The scenic views provide an enjoyable transition from the broad agricultural plain of the lower McKenzie Valley—then heading up the narrower river canyon scenery between Vida and Blue River—before transitioning again to the more rural and wild forested lands of the upper Valley. Travelers along the McKenzie River Scenic Byway will not only experience the iconic charm of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful landscapes, but also have many opportunities to learn how the area’s unique geology and hydrology support a rich habitat
of flora and fauna.
Wine Country, California
Sonoma Valley Regional Park is in the center of the Sonoma Valley, next to the village of Glen Ellen. The 202-acre park features several miles of trails, including a paved, 1.2-mile path curving through magnificent oak woodland. Unpaved trails connect to surrounding hillsides and ridges, offering looped hiking options. The entrance offers a grassy picnic and barbecue area under the shade of large oaks.
The park’s main trail, the Valley of the Moon Trail, is a paved, stream-side trail running through a dense oak forest between Highway 12 and Arnold Drive. Trails linking to surrounding ridges feature beautiful valley views. Trails are open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
Sonoma Valley Regional Park experienced significant wildfire in October 2017. Much of the undergrowth and some trees burned, but the oak canopy is largely intact. The park has reopened and offers a unique opportunity to watch a landscape regenerate from fire.
The “Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park” offers a fenced area for dogs to play off-leash.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Geographically, the area referred to as Amish/Dutch country centers on the cities of Allentown, Hershey, Lancaster, Reading, and York. Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants would spread from this area outwards outside the Pennsylvania borders between the mountains along river valleys into neighboring Maryland (Washington, Frederick, and Carroll counties), West Virginia, New Jersey (Warren and northern Hunterdon counties), Virginia (Shenandoah Valley), and North Carolina. The larger region has been historically referred to as Greater Pennsylvania. The historic Pennsylvania Dutch diaspora in Ontario, Canada, has been referred to as Little Pennsylvania.
The area lies in the Piedmont region of the Appalachian Mountains. The landscape is marked by rolling, wooded hills, deep stream valleys, and fertile soils. The Susquehanna River bisects the region and provides its drainage.
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
Here’s a mouthful: The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is a New Mexico Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway located in Northern New Mexico. It begins and ends in Taos, New Mexico.
The byway encircles Wheeler Peak of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is the tallest mountain in New Mexico. The scenic byway passes through historic towns, alongside lakes and streams, and near ski resorts and recreational parks.
Taos is the county seat of Taos County, and the largest town in the Enchanted Circle. It is notable for its historic plaza, arts and music scene, and the nearby Taos Pueblo UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recreational opportunities include rafting on the Rio Grande River and skiing and snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley.
The movies Easy Rider and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were filmed in the area.
Highlands, North Carolina
Don’t miss: ‘Walking Wednesday’ at Whiteside Mountain Trail presented by the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust on November 27, 2024; 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Join the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust for a fall hike at Whiteside Mountain—owned by USFS. This hike is a moderate 2.5 miles roundtrip, with gradual inclines and declines and is free and open to everyone. Please bring water and appropriate clothes for cold weather and uneven terrain.
