I’ve been to all 63 major US national parks. These are the 6 I always tell people to visit in the fall.

• In many of the parks, the fall months bring fewer crowds and cooler weather.
• In my opinion, the fall is the best time to visit parks like Acadia and Cuyahoga Valley.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the perfect fall escape.

The fall months are the perfect time to experience Grand Canyon National Park.

Although parts of the North Rim are closed due to flash floods, the popular South Rim remains fully open and ready for visitors. It offers classic views of the canyon’s layered cliffs and dramatic sunsets.

I’ve even found that popular viewpoints, like Mather Point and Desert View, are less crowded than they are in the summer.

Plus, trails like South Kaibab allow you to explore the canyon without the peak-season heat that can make hiking there dangerous.

Grand Teton National Park is the perfect place to take in nature.

Fall in Grand Teton National Park is spectacular, as the aspens and cottonwoods turn gold against the classic jagged mountain peaks.

In addition to the beautiful foliage, the wildlife is also very active — you might spot elk or moose grazing in the meadows.

Overall, September and October are great times to visit this Wyoming park, as these months typically bring cooler weather and smaller crowds.

This story was originally published on September 10, 2025, and most recently updated on September 14, 2026.