Every year around this time, we get the same question in a dozen different forms: “We have a week this fall: where should we actually go?”
Fair question. There are 63 national parks, and not all of them are good in the Fall. So here’s a quick gut-check before you book anything:
While it might be hard to plan a park trip for this month (it’s not impossible) and now is the perfect time to pencil in a trip for this fall or even next.
Start by selecting which parks are best in each month using our park finder and then narrow down your park choices using these questions.
Answer these honestly:
Heat or no heat? If 95°F sounds like a dealbreaker, you want mountains or coastline: not desert.
How far will you actually drive once you’re there? Some parks reward road-trippers, some reward people who park once and hike. Choose a park based on your time and preference.
Who’s coming with you? Toddlers, teens, and grandparents all change the answer. Look at the parks and choose what people actually like to do.
Crowds or quiet? Some of the most photographed parks in the fall are also the most miserable to actually be in. Choose parks from your list
If you’re already nodding along to one or two of these, you basically know your answer.
Use our Park Finder and Get Your Match →
Have fun,
Gretchen
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Everything You Need to Know to Start Planning a Trip to the U.S. National Parks
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