Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. Check out all the most beautiful Instagram-worthy destinations for Fall.
New York USA
One of the best destinations for autumn Instagram photos is Lake Placid, New York.
And that’s mainly because this quiet little town in Upstate New York overlooks Mirror Lake. And is perfectly situated in the mountainous Adirondacks region. Therefore, eager visitors have tons of exquisite photo ops to choose from as they stroll around the lake. And take in all the vibrant colors that ignite the surrounding mountains in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.
However, for the best photos possible, try to time your visit for when fall foliage is at its most awesome. Usually during the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October. And while taking photos at the dock on Mirror Lake is always nice; try taking 9N to and snapping snow photos from the parking lot that sits in between Upper and Lower Cascade Lake.
Trust me, the views of the lake are stunning and the foliage is incredible. If you want, you can also go to Lower Cascade Lake too and take photos at one of the pullovers along 9N. Since this area features some of the most stunning views in the Adirondacks.
Also, try and go early on a weekend day morning since this is a popular place where many hikers come to climb nearby mountains like Cascade Mountain. Then, when you’ve totally depleted your camera’s battery, enjoy some delicious barbeque at Smoke Signals in downtown Lake Placid.
Recommended By: Kelly at Travel New York Now
Tennessee USA
There are few places better for autumn Instagram photos than gorgeous Gatlinburg, Tennessee! The adorable mountain town is located on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And is surrounded by colorful fall foliage during the Autumn months.
The cabins in the mountains surrounding Gatlinburg are among the most popular places to stay when visiting the area, and they’re also the perfect spot to get great fall photos. Look for a cabin that’s a bit higher in the mountains with an outdoor porch, which is the perfect vantage point for your photos. You can find cabins on sites like Airbnb or VRBO.
Downtown Gatlinburg is also picturesque, with plenty of cute shops and half-timbered architecture. For more great scenery, hop in the car and drive to the nearby Cades Cove scenic loop. There are plenty of pull-off spots along the loop where you can take photos. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might get the chance to spot a black bear (or a few!) in their natural habitat! What is more Instagrammable than a family of black bears hanging out near trees with autumn leaves?
On your way back into Gatlinburg, head to the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, where you can get photos of the Gatlinburg skyline contrasting with the surrounding Smoky Mountains.
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Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is heaven for photographers any time of year, but fall really brings a colorful mix to the picture. Trail Ridge Road is famous for its fall colors surrounding drivers as they make their way through the park. Plenty of yellows awaits on the changing Aspens on the hike to Emerald Lake. The trailhead begins at Bear Lake, which is also not to miss.
The best mix of colors can be found on the short hike to Adam’s Falls on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This trail is filled with oranges, reds, and yellows. Since there are so many evergreens in the park, plenty of green stays in the mix in the huge mountainside in the background, giving the photographer a perfect variety of colors.
Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed-entry system in place from late May to early/mid-October and you must make a reservation during this time (with a minimal processing fee). Tip: no reservation is required if you enter Bear Lake Road Corridor before 5 am/after 6 pm. No reservation is required for the remainder of the park before 9 am/after 3 pm. Trail Ridge Road has seasonal closures and depends on initial closing dates.
As it is a national park, you will also have to pay the fee ($25) to enter.
Recommended By: Megan at Let’s Jet, Kids!
Aspen, Colorado
Located in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Aspen transforms into an incredible palette of colors and its iconic aspen trees complete the picture with their golden color.
Besides being a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, this mountain town also has plenty of scenic vistas where you can see incredible fall colors. The most scenic route that leads to Aspen is Independence Pass, the highest pass in continental North America that sits above 12,000 feet. While you will see some of the best fall foliage on this route, this is far from the only place where you can see the stunning fall colors.
During fall many people flock to Maroon Bells, a pair of jagged mountains located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. These iconic peaks are one of the most photographed mountains in North America, and fall is the best time to see them in full glory. And the good news is that you can even take a shuttle bus from Aspen to Maroon Bells.
Photogenic views are all around Aspen, and you can take many gorgeous photos downtown Aspen without having to put on hiking gear!
Even those travelers who have been to Aspen numerous times, never get tired of it. Many look forward to visiting Aspen during the fall every year, and the place has been seeing a steady increase in tourists from all over the country.
Recommended By: Daria At The Discovery Nut
Mount Rainier National Park Washington
Tipsoo Lake at Mount Rainier National Park is the perfect place to experience Autumn. The incredible colors, alpine lakes, and epic mountain views set you up for the most incredible Instagram photos!
Tipsoo Lake is just a small walk around the lake, so if you don’t have a lot of time, you can just walk around Tipsoo Lake, and see great fall foliage and a beautiful view of Mount Rainier.
To make the most out of your experience, I suggest that you hike the Naches Peak Loop instead of just Tipsoo Lake! This moderately rated 3.3-mile loop will give you more opportunities to enjoy the PNW fall beauty!
Because this trail starts outside the National Park, you don’t have to pay an entrance fee. You can park in the parking lot just outside the park entrance on the Chinook Pass. You can get directions here from All Trails.
You’ll want to do the hike clockwise so you can be facing Mount Rainier when you come around the lake. This is a popular area in the autumn so try and get there early, or go during the week instead of a weekend to have less company. The weather around Mount Rainier can be different than in the surrounding area so always check weather conditions and dress in layers.
Be sure to look for “Robber Jays” around Tipsoo Lake. These cute little jaybirds are fearless and will not hesitate to steal your trail mix, granola bar, or whatever you are eating right out of your hand!
Recommended By: Chantelle at Flannels or Flip Flops
North Cascades National Park Washington
If you’re looking for photos of fantastic fall foliage, North Cascades National Park in Washington state offers some out-of-this-world opportunities. The autumn here is quite special- besides just the deciduous trees turning brilliant colors, the park’s alpine slopes also boast conifers (named larches) that turn a vibrant golden hue come fall.
In addition to the shrubs and wildflowers that carpet its meadows and valleys bursting into spectacular shades of red, yellow, and orange. One of the best places to take in the fall leaves is along the Heather Maple Pass Loop, a challenging 7.2-mile trail that will take you past countless groves of larches, maple trees that are aflame in their autumn glory, and jaw-dropping views of the Cascade Mountains stretching as far as the eye can see.
Some particularly photogenic spots to keep an eye out for along the trail are Lake Ann, a turquoise pool completely surrounded by mountain slopes towards the western portion of the loop; the view of mountain peaks from Maple Pass; and the larches that festoon the eastern mountain slopes. This trail is quite popular, especially in the fall, so if you’d like to enjoy it in peace, you should start incredibly early or even visit on a weekday. Either way, the mind-blowing views make the crowds (and your post-hike burning thighs) totally worth it!
Recommended By: Jessica at Uprooted Traveler
Toronto Canada
For those looking for the best spots to get photos for fall then head to Toronto, Canada! The city’s landscapes are as diverse as its people! You’ll find a wealth of fabulous fall Instagram locations across the city that include parks and cityscapes. The best photo spots are the ones that showcase fall colors in Toronto!
One of the best spots in Toronto to take fall photos is the Toronto Islands! Hop aboard the ferry at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. The ferry is located between Bay Street and Yonge Street on Queens Quay. The ferry will take you the short distance over to Wards Island. From here you can rent a bike or walk the Islands quite easily.
While you’ll find a bunch of great photo-worthy places across the Islands, the most Instagrammable is the trail leading up to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. The path is lined with brilliant pops of fall colors and at the end stands the over 200-year-old lighthouse. The best time to photograph it in the fall is late in the afternoon, about an hour before sunset when there’s a wonderful golden hue.
The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse is located on the western side of the chain of islands. To get to the lighthouse from where the ferry docks on Wards Island, on the eastern end, there’s a path that links the entire chain of islands called Lakeshore Avenue. It will take approximately 40 minutes if you’re walking or 10 minutes by bicycle.
Recommended By: Stephanie at The World As I See It
Quebec Canada
Montmorency Falls is a tall waterfall just outside Quebec City. Located in Montmorency Falls Park, the falls are even more beautiful in autumn with the fall foliage; bold shades of red, yellow and orange. The best spots for Instagram photos at Montmorency Falls are on the suspension bridge, at the waterfall base, and in the wooded area at the top of the falls.
To reach Montmorency Falls, you can drive or take a bus from Quebec City to the parking lot at the top of the falls. Pay park entry, walk the promenade, and you will reach the suspension bridge and wooded area. You can walk down a staircase to the bottom of the falls or ride a cable car for scenic views. Montmorency Falls Park is a great place for a day trip and fun photo opportunities.
There are no special requirements to take photos at Montmorency Falls Park, however, you may have to wait a few minutes for photos on the suspension bridge. People walk across the suspension bridge fairly quickly, so you can get photos without a crowd of people in the background if you wait. The bottom of the falls is less busy, so it will be easier to take photos there. If you love waterfalls and fall colors, you will enjoy visiting Montmorency Falls.
Recommended By: Melissa at My Beautiful Passport
Jura France
France has a ton of beautiful places to visit, most of the time they will be pretty overrun by tourists which means taking pictures can be a bit of a hassle. The Jura region in Eastern France, however, is everything but overrun, in fact, it is a true hidden gem, and thanks to the lush forest carpeting the area it is the perfect spot for Autumn photography.
Base yourself out of the city of Besançon, and walk up to the top of the citadel for the best views over the city. In Autumn the trees lining the river turn many different shades of orange. The hike entails clambering up plenty of stairs, bringing a bottle of wine, and enjoying the sunset from this picture-perfect Autumn vantage point.
The village of Arbois is surrounded by miles and miles of vineyards. In early Autumn the leaves of the vines change color creating large swathes of orange rolling hills. Do not wait too long though, at the first sign of Winter the vines drop their lives instantaneously.
Last but not least, head to the region’s prettiest lake district, to a vantage point called Belvédère des Quatre Lacs. Four large lakes are surrounded by forests as far as the eye can see. The lookout point is easily accessible via car, though when frost touches the ground you will need winter tires to drive up.
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Outlet Track Wanaka New Zealand
If you’re looking for the top destinations for Autumn Instagram photos, make sure you go to the Outlet Track Wanaka.
The Outlet Track is in Wanaka, on the South Island of New Zealand. It’s a one-hour drive from Queenstown. Wanaka is a beautiful spot for Fall photos, especially along the lake and the Clutha River, which is lined with beautiful yellow trees. One of my favorite spots is along the Outlet Track.
The Outlet Track is a one-way walking and biking track that starts at Albert Town and ends at the Lake Wanaka Outlet (where the lake and Clutha River converge). It’s a 3km/one-hour walk each way. It’s very easy and flat.
You can start at either end of the track and there is free parking. If you don’t want to walk the whole track, there will still be pretty photo opportunities close to the car parks.
There are lots of beautiful spots all along the track for Fall photos. The track follows a river which is a beautiful blue. It is lined with trees that turn a beautiful yellow-orange.
The track isn’t very well known, so it will be quiet. There will probably only be locals walking their dogs.
Recommended By: Ashleigh at Ashleigh’s Atlas
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