Top Spots for Enjoying Fall Foliage

Fall color lovers who are seeking the warm red, gold and orange hues that drench the outdoors come autumn are in luck. Destinations ripe with vibrant scenery abound! Check out some of these can't-miss destinations for those groups who can't get enough fall foliage.

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA

A photographer’s dream, Bloomington and the surrounding area simply shows off when it comes to fall foliage. Whether it’s the campus of IU, on one of the city’s nine paved trail systems, within the protected Charles C. Deam Wilderness within the Hoosier National Forest, or otherwise, groups have no shortage of options. The area’s fire towers are a unique way to see sweeping views ranging anywhere from 75 to 110 feet up! The beautiful Lake Monroe and Griffy Lake Nature Preserve are also top choices.

UPPER PENINSULA, MICHIGAN

Michigan's Upper Peninsula (or the U.P.) is an unrivaled combination of unique attractions and unspoiled natural beauty. The U.P. boasts that 85% of its 16,538 square miles are forested. Here, groups can catch the fall colors reflected in 4,300 inland lakes, 12,000 miles of streams and 1,700 miles of shoreline on three Great Lakes. Additionally, all but two of Michigan's more than 200 waterfalls are in the U.P. Clear nights in October and November are also peak months in the U.P. for groups to catch the swirling colors of the Northern Lights.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

From the Biltmore Estate Trails and the Graveyard Fields Loop to Linville Falls Trails and the trials at Chimney Rock State Park, Asheville and the surrounding area offer groups an abundance of ways to see the season’s colors. In fact, October is consistently a top month for visitation, and for good reason. With differing elevations, the area has much to show off in terms of natural diversity. Of course, don’t forget the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway is also an unforgettable way to soak in all the autumnal splendor.

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

It's almost impossible to think about fall colors without also thinking about Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is home to more than 100 species of trees, 80% of which are deciduous (sheds its leaves annually). Knowing this, it's easy to see why Gatlinburg and the surrounding area undoubtedly makes for spectacular fall destination. Options for viewing are aplenty, whether your groups choose the Gatlinburg Space Needle, the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway at Ober Mountain, Gatlinburg SkyPark, AnaVista Tower or another area attraction.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.

Photos courtesy of Visit Bloomington.