Fall Foliage Destinations Not to Miss

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.

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.

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 Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, AnaVista Tower or another area attraction.

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PENNSYLVANIA

The 2,400 square mile, four-county Pocono Mountains region is ideal for groups who are looking to have it all this autumn. Groups could drink up the fall splendor with a vineyard tour, get a true bird's eye view with a foliage air tour, fly through the trees on a zipline or spend the day out on a boat (just remember to pack a warm jacket)! Either way, groups are sure to find a unique way to experience fall's unforgettable colors.

TAOS, NEW MEXICO

Though some might not immediately think of the southwest as having stunning fall colors, groups looking for the perfect fall backdrop should look no further than Taos, New Mexico. Located in Northern New Mexico in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos offers groups scenery like no other. Drive the famed Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, which offers 83 miles of mountains, valleys, mesa and national forest.

Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.

Photo courtesy of @mightybombshell, courtesy of Pure Michigan.