Cooler weather, stunning foliage, and smaller crowds make fall a great time to visit America's national parks. If you didn't blow all of your vacation days on summer travel, check out this list from the Weather Channel of the top ten national parks to visit in fall:
10. Zion National Park, Utah. "Visitors can enjoy an unparalleled display of fall color, especially at sunrise and sunset when the light dramatically transforms Zion's rocks a fiery red-gold color."
9. Yosemite National Park, California. "Yosemite National Park's big-leaf maples, black oaks, Pacific dogwoods, and other deciduous trees tend to be showy around mid-October."
8. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. "To view the spectacular foliage, leaf peepers cruise Skyline Drive, a National Scenic Byway that traverses 105 miles in Shenandoah National Park and affords outstanding vistas from 75 overlooks."
7. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. "No matter the season, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park can enjoy amazing views of stunning wilderness but the crisp air, clear blue skies (and occasional snow), spectacular color and active wildlife make fall a particularly unforgettable time to visit."
6. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington. "One of the world's most majestic volcanoes, Mt. Rainer is an icon of the Washington landscape. And it is the centerpiece of Mt. Rainier National Park, which draws thousands of visitors year-round."
5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee. "The Smokies usually experience an autumn leaf season of several weeks as fall colors travel down the mountain sides from high elevation to low."
4. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. "Male elk actively bugle to signal their dominance and attract females, an eerie sound that pierces early evenings, and visitors may even witness a sparring match between two dominant male elk."
3. Acadia National Park, Maine. "Known as an excellent place for bird-watchers to spot spring warblers, sea ducks, and migrating birds of prey, the park offers ranger-led birdwalks through mid-fall."
2. Glacier National Park, Montana. "Although visitors to Glacier National Park in Montana during fall will be expected to be more self-sufficient, the autumn season is an amazing time to visit for tourists, who can enjoy less crowds, active wildlife and the views of trees turning vibrant colors."
1. Denali National Park, Alaska. " Although services and activities are limited, visitors can enjoy the stunning views of majestic mountains capped with snow and the tundra ablaze in gorgeous reds."
Source: The Weather Channel