True, Labor Day hasn't yet arrived, but that doesn't mean you can't begin to think about a fall trek to a national park to enjoy the season's richest colors. Actually, in some parts of the country it might even be too late to book a trip, as veteran leaf-peers often make lodging reservations months in advance for visits to Shenandoah National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
But this year has been peculiar for lodgings. Travelers have been waiting later and later than typical to book their rooms, so you just might be able to find some space if you call now.
For the parks along the spine of the Appalachians -- Shenandoah, Great Smoky, and the Blue Ridge Parkway -- October traditionally marks the height of the fall foliage. What's necessary to drive the greatest array of colors are decent rainfall throughout the spring and summer to keep the trees at their healthiest, and a moderately warm summer. If things get too hot the trees could shed their leaves earlier than usual.
Another good Eastern park for fall color is Acadia National Park off the coast of Maine. Locals say it's foolish to try to predict the peak period for leafy color, but past years show that coastal Maine's forests usually hit their high point, color-wise, in mid-October. But this summer has been on the moist side in New England, and that could produce leaf mold that could cause the trees to drop their leaves before then.
Out West, you'll want to plan a mid-September trip to the Rockies to catch the height of the aspen transformation from green to gold and the maples from green to red. The general rule of thumb is that aspens and maples in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Rocky Mountain national parks typically approach their peak vibrance in mid-to-late September.
To track fall color trends and fine-tune your travel plans, check out the Foliage Network (www.foliagenetwork.com) for the latest updates. For Maine-specific reports, beginning September 9 you can check out Maine's website (www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/).
More and more parks, such as Shenandoah (www.nps.gov/shen) and Great Smoky Mountains (www.nps.gov/grsm) also offer leaf reports on their websites.
Where You Call for Rooms
In Shenandoah, the lodging concessionaire is ARAMARK. You can get a rundown on their properties, and their rates, at www.visitshenandoah.com. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Forever Resorts manages the Bluffs Lodge and Rocky Knob Cabins. You can find out details at www.blueridgeresort.com. There are no in-park accommodations at either Acadia or Great Smoky Mountains, so your best bet is to contact the chambers of commerce (www.barharborinfo.com for Acadia, and www.gatlinburg.com and www.cherokeesmokies.com for Great Smoky.)
For Grand Teton National Park, check with either the Grand Teton Lodge Company (www.gtlc.com) or Signal Mountain Lodge (www.signalmountainlodge.com). In Yellowstone, you can check on availability for all of the lodges at www.travelyellowstone.com.
If you shudder at the thought of cold temperatures, consider a fall trip to Arches or Canyonlands national parks in Utah. These two siblings -- only U.S. 191 separates them -- are red-rock wonders that seem to shimmer most in autumn when the sun hangs low in the sky. Plus, fall means cooler temps (highs in the 70s vs. those in the triple-digits) and fewer crowds. Again, there's no in-park lodging in these two, but nearby Moab has hundreds of rooms. For possibilities, check out www.moab-utah.com. It's a bit much on first glance, but it's a wealth of information on the Moab area.
Kurt Repanshek is the author of several national park guidebooks, including National Parks With Kids. You can get a daily dose of national park news, trivia, and commentary by visiting www.nationalparkstraveler.com. This site tracks "Commentary, News, and Life in America's Parks." Follow National Parks Traveler on Twitter at www.twitter.com/parkstraveler.
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