Trip Doctor: Best Western Foliage

Where's the best western foliage?

Author:: BACKPACKER Editors
Updated:: Feb 14, 2017
Original:: Oct 1, 2008

New England gets all the leaf-peeping love. Where is the best western foliage?

Hit higher and drier elevations in the Rockies (Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton National Parks) in mid-September for blinding views into valleys full of golden aspen. Perhaps the West's most astounding display, though, is in Washington's North Cascades, where the needles of the alpine larch, a deciduous conifer, turn entire hillsides neon yellow. Keep tabs on everything foliage at earthcam.com/features/fallcams.

Stories

With strong legs and an ambitious plan, you can see more wild country in 12 hours than some backpackers see in a week, and still make it home in time for dinner.

Stories

Write your own ticket to new adventures with these 10 territory-expanding skills.

Stories

From the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains to New England, we've got nine epic ridgewalks just for you.

Stories

Catch the best views in the nation's marquee parks from the comfort of your computer. Prepare to drool...now.

Adventure Travel

Our map team has been hard at work plotting the coolest hikes. Check out May's selections here.

Yellowstone National Park

Need trip-planning beta for your National Park adventure? See our comprehensive list of National Park phone numbers, websites, and drilled down details here. You’ll be ready to hit the trail in no time.