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Best National Parks to Visit in October

September 7, 2021

With cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, October is a great time to visit many of America’s National Parks. But throw in the fall color factor and some simply outshine the others. Which National Park should you visit in October? Read on! We’ve got you covered.

Grand Teton National Park

October is an absolutely beautiful time of year to visit Grand Teton National Park. Trails are open, wildlife is active, scenic drives (which are amazing by the way) are less crowded, and fall colors are at their peak. Like many National Parks in October, weather can be a bit unpredictable. Check Grand Teton’s road conditions in advance of travel as snow can start falling here as early as late September.

Shenandoah National Park

When visiting Shenandoah National Park, expect some seriously epic fall foliage. Also, come prepared for epic crowds. To avoid full parking lots and waits at entrance stations, plan your visit to Shenandoah during the weekdays. Check out this great fall foliage prediction map in advance of your travels if you want to try to hit the peak color week of the season. But also don’t get discouraged if you might be slightly off. This is a gorgeous place anytime you go!

Yosemite National Park

While Yosemite is not known for its diversity of fall colors, pockets of maples, oaks, and grasses add autumnal hues to its already grand scenery. There will be far fewer crowds, meaning you’ll be able to find parking at most of the trailheads. You might even have a hike or two mostly to yourselves! The only downsides to visiting here in October are that the waterfalls will indeed be reduced to a trickle or entirely dried up for the season.

Acadia National Park

You can’t beat the Northeastern US for fall foliage, and Acadia National Park in Maine is no exception. Here you’ll find absolutely gorgeous summit hikes with breathtaking ocean views surrounded by color-rich forests.

Timing your visit to catch the fall colors at their peak can be an exercise in patience with little certainty as to whether you’ll hit that all elusive leaf-peeping bullseye. Historically, peak colors tend to arrive between October 13-22, but you can check the current Maine fall foliage forecast in advance of your trip.

Zion National Park

Located in southern Utah, Zion National Park is a great destination to visit in the fall months, especially October. In the summer, temperatures here can sore into the 100s, making it tough to hike and explore during the middle of the day… unless you’re impervious to heatstroke! 

The big crowds have cleared out by October, making it a much more peaceful place. And with cooler temperatures rolling in, if you layer properly, you should stay fairly comfy all throughout the day.

Don’t miss the Virgin River Narrows (pictured above), a world-famous hike that leads hikers through the narrowest section of Zion Canyon.

Arches National Park

Arches National Park has become such a popular destination that it can often fill up in the summer months before 8 am! The hikes become quite crowded, with literally hundreds of hikers and photographers clustered around to get pictures.

In October, visitors drop off dramatically, and you’ll find a much more serene experience. The daytime temperatures are a lot more comfortable too, so you won’t have to hit the trails super early just to beat the heat. Be sure not to miss Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America.

Big Bend National Park

As Big Bend National Park is a desert park, it can be brutally hot in the summer - the NPS site even recommends against afternoon hiking! But in October, Big Bend’s average temperatures cool down to a pleasant 81 degrees. And with less chance of rain or snow this time of year, you can plan more in your day without any pesky weather interruptions. Don’t miss a trip to Santa Elena Canyon for quick and gorgeous access to the Rio Grande.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Unlike some of the other National Parks destinations on this list, the Great Smoky Mountains can be extremely busy during the fall season. There are over 100 species of native trees here, and the vast majority of them change during the fall. This is a huge draw to the area so be prepared for peak crowds as well as leaves.

At higher elevations, some trees begin turning as early as mid-September, with lower elevations peaking between mid-October and early November.

Don’t miss a trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering several overlook opportunities to take in the beauty. And be sure to hit the Grotto Falls hike.

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Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park in September

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Image Credits:

Rocky Mountain National Park Aspens - Bob - stock.adobe.com; Grand Teton National Park - ​​natureguy - stock.adobe.com; Shenandoah National Park - Vladimir Grablev - stock.adobe.com; Yosemite National Park - haveseen - stock.adobe.com; Acadia National Park - Jason Busa - stock.adobe.com; Zion National Park - ryan - stock.adobe.com; Arches National Park - Tom - stock.adobe.com; Big Bend National Park - Tom - stock.adobe.com; Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Nickolay Khoroshkov - stock.adobe.com; Nomad Goods product images courtesy of Nomad Goods; Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park - Elaine Skylar Neal/Travels and Curiosities; for Pinterest Pin credits, click on the respective Pin