The West's Best Hikes for Fall Colors

There is no shortage of beautiful fall foliage in the west. The lush green aspens, maples, larch, and willow transition into to vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds and transform some of our favorite landscapes to their most brilliant states. 

If the fall colors aren't enough to lure you to the trails, autumn is one of the best seasons for adventure for a number of reasons: fewer crowds, fewer bugs, crisp air, and the chance to see migrating animals. Sure, you might need a rain jacket, but more rain makes for better waterfalls. The cooler temperatures make it the perfect time of year to soak in a nearby hot spring.

We've put together a list of great fall destinations to get your adventures started. Explore the adventures below, grab your favorite fleece, fill a thermos, and hit the trails!

Washington

Liberty Bell over Blue Lake. Photo by Brandon Fralic.

• Enchantment Lakes Thru-Hike Alpine Lakes Wilderness, 17.6 miles
• Maple Pass Loop Hike North Cascades, 6.5 miles
• Blue Lake North Cascades, 4.4 miles
• Skyline Trail Mount Rainier National Park, 5.4 miles
• Mount Washington Snoqualmine Pass

See more fall hikes in Washington. In addition, the road trip on the Mountain Loop Highway and these hikes on the Washington Coast are also ideal fall adventures. 

Oregon 

Bigleaf maples in the Columbia River Gorge. Photo by Shane Kucera. 

• Grizzly Peak Southern Oregon Cascades, 5 miles
• Painted Hills Unit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument 
• Deschutes River Trail Central Oregon, 6.9 miles
• Wilson River Northern Oregon Coast, 3.4 miles
• Ramona Falls Mt. Hood, 6.9 miles

See more great fall hikes in Oregon.

California

Mineral King Valley. Photo by Aron Bosworth.

• Lake Sabrina Eastern Sierra, Bishop Creek Canyon 
• Mount Whitney Eastern Sierra, 15.8 miles
• North Fork of the Big Pine Creek John Muir Wilderness, 9.2 miles
• Convict Lake Loop Trail Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes, 2.5 miles
• Mineral King Valley Sequoia National Park

​Exploring Yosemite Valley in the fall or climbing Half Dome in the shoulder season are a few other good options this time of year.

Idaho

Reflection pond on Fishhook Creek. Photo by Matt Leidecker.

• Stanley Lake Creek + Observation Peak Sawtooth Wilderness, 16.2 miles
• Fishhook Creek Sawtooth Wilderness, 4.2 miles
• Taylor Springs Sawtooth Wilderness, 9.6 miles
• Elk Lake Sawtooth Wilderness, 23 miles
• Table Rock Boise, 3.1 miles

Utah

Big Cottonwood Canyon in the fall. Photo by Kyle Jenkins. 

• Scenic Highway 210 and Scenic Highway 190 Central Wasatch Mountains
• Bells Canyon Trail Central Wasatch Mountains, 2.5 miles
• Butler Fork Trail Central Wasatch Mountains, 3.4 miles
• Wasatch Crest Mountain Bike Trail Salt Lake City, 11.4 miles
• Mount Nebo North Peak Southern Wasatch, 10 miles

See more amazing fall adventures in Utah. Fall is also a great time to visit the national parks in Southern Utah:

• A Perfect 7-day Itinerary for Zion + Bryce Canyon National Parks
• A Perfect 7-day Itinerary for Capitol Reed, Arches + Canyonlands
• ​Exploring Utah's Five National Parks

Colorado

Fall on South Fork Mineral Creek. Photo by Fernando Boza. 

• Crystal Mill Sawatch Rage
• West Brush Creek Trail, Sylvan Lake State Park, 5.3 miles
• South Fork Mineral Creek San Juan Mountains
• Maroon Bells Aspen
• Kebler Pass Scenic Road, Ashcroft and Castle Creek Road, Last Dollar Road, and Dallas Divide Scenic Route are all incredible scenic drives this time of year. 

See more amazing fall adventures in Colorado.

British Columbia 

Vibrant fall colors on the trail to Brew Lake. Photo by Duncan Sadava.

• Brandywine Meadows Squamish-Lillooet Area, 5 miles
• Elsay Lake Vancouver Metro Area, 12.4 miles
• Brew Lake Whistler, 8 miles
• Golden Ears Summit Fraser Valley, 14.9 miles
• Mount Seymour Vancouver Metro Area, 5.6 miles