‘Stunning’ national park in CA is one of the best to visit this fall. Here’s why
Looking forward to some fall leaf peeping? One of California’s iconic national parks offers some of the best in the country.
Yosemite National Park ranked even higher than well-known (and typically crowded) spots like Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, according to Lonely Planet’s list of the 15 best U.S. national parks to visit this fall. Yosemite came in at No. 4 on the list.
“US national parks are known for stunning, mind-bogglingly diverse landscapes, and fall reveals a quieter, shier side,” the travel publication wrote. “As summer crowds fade and cooler weather sets in, vibrant foliage transforms forests and mountains, wildlife becomes more active, and brisk pine-scented air encourages cozy campfires and serene hikes.”
But you’ll have to make sure you visit at the right time, the publication said.
“Fall is fleeting, especially at high elevations where winter arrives early. Along with unpredictable weather, some park services, sections of parks and local businesses close mid-season,” the Lonely Planet editors wrote. “But if you time it right, autumn offers a magical, more grounded park experience.”
Here are the spots you must see on your visit:
What makes Yosemite one of the best national parks to visit this fall?
The park, “stunning year-round” tends to get overlooked in the fall, the Lonely Planet editors wrote.
But for visitors looking to “enjoy fewer crowds, no reservation requirements and a sweet spot with trails and roads open,” it’s one of the best destinations “for an unsung fall escape.”
“Elm, oak and big leaf maples color Yosemite Valley, while quaking aspens dot the passes,” so you can still see plenty of the golden leaves shimmering in the wind. “Peak varies with elevation, so you may catch it in the valley but miss it higher up (or vice versa),” the publication said.
After taking in all the must-see sights in the park, the Lonely Planet editors recommended venturing to Wawona Swinging Bridge, “where cottonwoods create a rainbow of fall color.”
A photo shows what looks like Lower Yosemite Fall surrounded by trees with deep burnt orange-colored leaves.
When is the best time to see fall foliage in Yosemite and California?
Fall foliage in Yosemite is expected to peak toward the end of October, according to a map on travel website Explore Fall. Colors should be the most eye-popping just before Halloween on Oct. 27, the website said.
The colors will be at their brightest statewide about a month later on Nov. 25, the website said.
Generally speaking, fall foliage peaks early to mid-November in California, the website said. So your best bet is to visit sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
“If you’ve ever traveled in search of fall foliage before, you likely know how tricky it can be to be in the right place at the right time,” the website said. “The timing of peak color varies significantly season-to-season, meaning what worked one year might not work the next! The best fall trips take careful planning, a lot of patience, and a reliable fall foliage map.”
What are the best US national parks to visit in autumn?
These are the top 15 national parks to visit in the fall, according to The Lonely Planet:
1. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
2. Acadia National Park, Maine
3. Glacier National Park, Montana
4. Yosemite National Park, California
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
6. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
7. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Montana
8. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
9. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
10. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
11. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
12. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
13. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
14. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
15. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
