Which states have the best opportunities for picking pumpkins, getting lost in a corn maze, and leaf-peeping?
With autumn underway, LawnStarter ranked 2024’s Best States to Visit This Fall.
We compared the 48 contiguous U.S. states based on 4 categories. More specifically, we factored in the projected length of fall foliage and peak foliage, scenic drives, and pumpkin patches, among 23 total metrics.
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and explore our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the states, see our methodology.
Contents
- State Rankings
- Top 5 Close Up
- Key Insights
- Ask the Experts
- Methodology
- Final Thoughts: Fall Lawn Care Tips
State Rankings
See how each state fared in our ranking:
Top 5 Close Up
Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 states for fall.
Projected Number of Days of Peak Foliage: 73 | Rank: 2
Number of Scenic Drives: 139 | Rank: 1
Portion of State Covered by National and State Parks: 7.49% | Rank: 1
Number of Forest Trails: 7,356 | Rank: 1
Number of Fall Festivals: 219 | Rank: 7
Local tips: Go wine tasting and grape stomping through Napa Valley.
Have a gourd-eous time in Half Moon Bay, the self-proclaimed “pumpkin capital of the world,” which grows over 3,000 tons of pumpkins each year.
Take the scenic route (and some unforgettable photos) through the Avenue of the Giants.
Photo Credit: Brocken Inaglory / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Projected Number of Weeks With Fall Foliage: 11 | Rank: 13
Projected Number of Days of Peak Foliage: 57 | Rank: 9
Number of Scenic Drives: 35 | Rank: 5
Number of Forest Trails: 3,785 | Rank: 3
Wineries per 100,000 Residents: 18.2 | Rank: 2
Local tips: Explore Leavenworth, an alpine-themed village with great access to skiing and wineries.
Photo Credit: Seattle City Council / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Projected Number of Days of Peak Foliage: 73 | Rank: 2
Number of Scenic Drives: 23 | Rank: 6
Number of State Parks: 195 | Rank: 4
Total Acreage of Forest Land: 29.7 million acres | Rank: 2
Wineries per 100,000 Residents: 22.7 | Rank: 1
Local tips: Hop on Mount Hood Railroad’s scenic Fall Train in Hood River or get spooky on the Halloween Train for an eerie leaf-peeping trip.
Photo Credit: Bob / Adobe Stock / License
Projected Number of Weeks With Fall Foliage: 12 | Rank: 1
Portion of State Covered by Forest Land: 74% | Rank: 4
Pumpkin Patches per 100,000 Residents: 11.5 | Rank: 1
Cideries per 100,000 Residents: 2.95 | Rank: 1
Maple Farms per 100,000 Residents: 222.6 | Rank: 1
Local tips: Visit one of the state’s many sugarhouses for a closer look at how the syrup is made.
Photo Credit: demerzel21 / Adobe Stock / License
Projected Number of Weeks With Fall Foliage: 12 | Rank: 1
Portion of State Covered by National and State Parks: 2.24% | Rank: 9
Camping-Friendliness: 7 | Rank: 7
Pumpkin Patches per 100,000 Residents: 1.7 | Rank: 6
Maple Farms per 100,000 Residents: 9.4 | Rank: 6
Local tips: Take a fall color tour through the Tunnel of Trees or hop aboard the Pumpkin Train for a festive, foliage-filled ride.
Photo Credit: Craig Zerbe / Adobe Stock / License
Key Insights
Western states might have a slightly shorter leaf-peeping season overall — 10 to 11 weeks for the Pacific Coast — but their trees hold peak color for a longer period this year, according to foliage forecasts.
California scores at the top enjoying a unique advantage as the changing leaves slowly trickle down the state, with patches peaking between mid-October in NorCal and mid-November in SoCal, so folks can enjoy the colorful atmosphere for a longer period of time. The state is also full of parks, forests, trails, and scenic drives for admiring the hues.
While Northeastern states claim the longest projected weeks of foliage — 11 to 12 weeks — foliage in Northern regions peaks much earlier than other regions. Maps indicate that most forests in New England states and New York (No. 10) will be past peak around the end of October this year.
Predictions show travelers and locals have only 29 days in New York to 47 days in Massachusetts to admire the most vibrant colors of the season.
A dry spell is the likely explanation for a fast-tracked leaf-peeping season in New York, my home state. With my roots in the Adirondacks, it’s dismaying to see a shorter period of peak foliage this year. When I visited family this July it was the hottest summer I personally experienced in the mountains, with unusually repressive night heat (not to mention the tornadoes), which only further stressed out our forests.
Explore additional festive fall insights below
Changing Hues: The Future of Foliage
Plant and foliage cycles are complex, with climate stresses like temperature, precipitation, and natural disasters impacting the color, timing, and length of fall foliage.
- Leaf colors may peak earlier in the season or go directly from green to brown as a result of drought, heat stress, and storm damage.
- Hot evenings, warm Octobers, and light pollution can lead to dull color and delayed foliage.
- Early frost is also shown to inhibit red-colored leaves.
Fall colors look great, but leaf removal is a lot of work, especially if you rake and bag your leaves. Even wielding a leaf blower can cause shoulder pain. Let the pros get rid of your leaves. Hire a local LawnStarter crew for a fall cleanup.
Ask the Experts
We turned to a panel of experts for some inspiration and tips for planning a memorable (and well-timed) fall getaway.
Make the most of your autumnal adventure with help from their insights below.
- What are 3 unique activities you’d recommend for getting in the spirit for fall?
- When is the optimal time to see fall foliage depending on the region where one lives?
- What’s a fall travel essential that every traveler should pack?
- How might climate change impact autumn travel plans and seasonal foliage?
- Apart from scenic drives, what are three ways for folks to enjoy the fall foliage?
What are three unique activities you’d recommend for getting in the spirit for fall?
As I am originally from Australia, I like to do quintessential American things like visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze.
Many farms offer festive fall activities like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and hayrides. For example, Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois, has the world’s largest corn maze spanning 28 acres.
Attend a Fall festival. Many states host special autumn events celebrating the season. Pennsylvania planned 46 fall festivals for 2023, the most of any state, including Halloween Festivals which are also in Fall. Again, more Americana.
Go on a scenic train ride. Several states offer special autumn train excursions to view the changing leaves, like the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire.
When is the optimal time to see Fall foliage depending on the region where one lives?
By region:
- Northeast: Late September to mid-October
- Midwest: Mid to late October
- Southeast: Mid-October to early November
- West: Late September to mid-October
What’s a Fall travel essential that every traveler should pack?
Think layers: Pack a mix of light and warm layers like sweaters, jackets, and scarves. Fall weather can be unpredictable, so having options allows you to adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day.
How might climate change impact autumn travel plans and seasonal foliage?
Climate change may lead to:
- Later onset of fall colors.
- Shorter foliage seasons.
- Less vibrant colors in some areas.
- Increased risk of extreme weather events.
Apart from scenic drives, what are three ways for folks to enjoy the fall foliage?
1. Hiking. Many national and state parks offer stunning autumn views on foot trails.
2. Kayaking or canoeing: See the colorful leaves reflected in lakes and rivers.
3. Hot air balloon rides: Get an aerial view of the autumn landscape from above.
What are three unique activities you’d recommend for getting in the spirit for fall?
I don’t know how unique these are but a few of my favorites:
- Apple picking at an orchard or pumpkin picking at a pumpkin patch.
- Hay ride in a cart behind a tractor or a good corn maze.
- Sitting by a fire pit (or campfire) with a favorite cider, craft beer, or local wine (preferably at a cidery, brewery, or winery!
- A high school Friday night football game.
When is the optimal time to see fall foliage depending on the region where one lives?
Well, I live in Virginia, so mid-October to early November.
I am from New England (the best place for foliage and crisp fall weather in my personal opinion), and the further north you go it can peak mid-September into October.
What’s a fall travel essential that every traveler should pack?
- A fuzzy blanket to pull out for a fall picnic when you find a beautiful spot. Which also means a picnic basket full of good fall fruit (apples, pears), amazing cheeses, crusty breads, and your favorite beverage (cider, craft beer, local wine — and something for the designated driver).
- Your favorite sweater, sweatshirt, or flannel shirt.
- Good hiking boots so you can walk and really enjoy the crisp air and gorgeous views.
How might climate change impact autumn travel plans and seasonal foliage?
- Sadly, the heat and dryness will cause the leaves to dry and fall before we get to enjoy the beautiful colors (I am no scientist or environmental specialist, this has just been my observation).
- It may be that it pushes the best times to later in the year (if at all).
Apart from scenic drives, what are three ways for folks to enjoy the fall foliage?
- I took a photography class in Maine in October one year and learning about colors and light and using a camera to enhance the pics was an awesome way to view them better (literally through a lens).
- A canoe or kayak ride on a lake and seeing the gorgeous colors reflected in the water and seeing the leaves from the middle of a lake or pond. Stunning.
- A hike in the midst of the trees so you can look up into the trees from underneath and see the colors that way.
What are three unique activities you’d recommend for getting in the spirit for fall?
1. Visit a local orchard or farm. Pick apples, drink cider, eat donuts, take a hayride, navigate through a corn maze, and enjoy traditional fall activities like pumpkin carving or cider pressing. Many agritourism farms feature local vendors selling seasonal produce, baked goods, and crafts, making it the perfect way to get in the fall spirit while supporting local businesses.
2. Host a dinner party with a menu that features seasonal produce and fall favorites. Mix a fall-themed signature cocktail, and plan different courses that feature a fall ingredient (e.g., pumpkin soup shooters, salad with apples and nuts, caramel apple crisp for dessert, etc.)
3. There is no more perfect activity, for a crisp fall day than taking a hike at the peak of the autumn colors. The weather is cooler, there are fewer bugs buzzing around you, and the autumn woods stimulate all five senses.
When is the optimal time to see fall foliage depending on the region where one lives?
This varies a lot by location and recent weather. Predicting fall colors has become more difficult with a changing climate, however there are websites and apps that can help.
For Instance, the Farmer’s Almanac has maps of the US that predict color changes based on a number of factors including crowd-sourced reports from readers sharing foliage color changes in their area.
Also, some GPS apps, such as Gaia, offer the ability to view your location via recent satellite images as recently as today or over the past two weeks.
What’s a fall travel essential that every traveler should pack?
A pair of walking/hiking shoes to get outside and enjoy the season. Crunch through fallen leaves. Feel the crisp air in your lungs. Take in the diversity of colors. And watch critters prepare for the coming winter.
How might climate change impact autumn travel plans and seasonal foliage?
In a number of ways, but mostly by lack of predictability. Climate change leads to greater variation in seasonal weather patterns. Warm falls can delay peak foliage and early frosts can shorten the duration of the foliage season.
Trees under stress from warmer temperatures may produce less vivid reds, yellows and orange colors. Over time, tree species known to produce fall colors may struggle to survive in warmer climates as disease and pests migrate.
Apart from scenic drives, what are three ways for folks to enjoy the fall foliage?
1. Kayaking or canoeing down a river that winds through the forest or area with many trees.
2. Canopy walks (a series of bridges and platforms suspended from trees in a forest canopy).
3. Hot air balloon ride!
Methodology
First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best States to Visit This Fall. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 4 categories: Fall Scenery, Outdoor Recreation, Entertainment, and Safety. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.
For each of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.
Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each state to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A state’s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest “Worst” (No. 48).
Notes:
- The “Worst” among individual factors may not be No. 48 due to ties.
- Alaska and Hawaii were not included in our ranking due to a lack of fall foliage data.
- This year we used a different source to calculate the Projected Number of Days of Peak Fall Foliage, leading to a shift in the rankings compared to analyses from previous years.
Sources: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, AllTrails, American Cider Association, America’s State Parks, Explore Fall, FairsandFestivals.net, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Funtober, HayRides.com, Lawn Love, National Park Service, PickYourOwn.org, Playground Equipment, PumpkinPatchesAndMore.org, Smoky Mountains, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Forest Service
Final Thoughts: Fall Lawn Care Tips
How well do you know your fall lawn care? We recently surveyed U.S. homeowners about common lawn care myths and misconceptions and found that adults across all demographics are confused about the best mowing practices. For example, more than 1/4 of respondents were unsure when to schedule the last mow of the year.
Follow our fall lawn care checklist and explore other autumn lawn care and landscaping guides below.
- 5 Best Ways to Clean Up Leaves in Your Yard
- How to Rake Leaves (Step-by-Step Guide)
- How to Use a Leaf Blower (Step-by-Step Guide)
- What Happens If You Don’t Remove Fallen Leaves
- DIY Lawn Mower Maintenance Guide
- How to Winterize Your Lawn
- How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System
- How to Winterize a Garden (in 12 Easy Steps)
Media Resource
Quotes from LawnStarter Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Herman:
- Texas (No. 40), where I live, boasts the most fall festivals — 412 across the Lone Star State. However, the state lags behind overall with only 6 weeks of foliage anticipated this year on top of having the fewest corn mazes and pumpkin patches per 100,000 residents.
- Maine (No. 9) enjoys the best access to apple orchards with 5.3 orchards to pick from per 100,000 residents.
- Vermont (No. 4) remains our maple syrup capital, with the sweetest access to maple farms — with 222.6 per 100,000 residents. The Green Mountain state is also an ideal place to pick out a pumpkin or get lost in the stalks, boasting the most pumpkin patches and corn mazes per 100,000 residents.
- Our smallest state, Rhode Island (No. 33), claims the most opportunities to hitch a hayride, with about 1.5 hayrides per 100,000 residents.
- Midwestern states Michigan (No. 5) and Wisconsin (No. 7) stand out at the top, tying with New England states for 12 weeks of fall foliage and featuring plenty of natural areas to enjoy leaf-peeping. These 2 states also boast autumn activities with abundant maple farms and apple orchards per 100,000 residents, and over 170 fall festivals to attend.
- Utah (No. 11) takes 1st place in Fall Scenery, with the most days with projected peak foliage across the state — 74 days. Utah also claims the 2nd-highest number of scenic drives, with 88 steering across the Beehive State.
- High-resolution images of cities
- 2023’s Best States to Visit This Fall ranking results
- 2022’s Best States to Visit This Fall ranking results
- 2021’s Best States to Visit This Fall ranking results
Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock
