Shenandoah National Park in Virginia Named America’s Best Destination for Autumn Colours

Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky lead America’s best fall foliage destinations in a new study examining forest landscapes across the United States. Shenandoah National Park claims first place, followed by Wayne National Forest and Cumberland Gap, highlighting exceptional autumn scenery, extensive deciduous woodland and opportunities for seasonal nature tourism nationwide.

The top 10 best places in America to see fall foliage

Rank	Federal land	State	Fall Foliage Score	Deciduous forest	Mixed forest
1	Shenandoah National Park	Virginia	91.3	85.6%	11.4%
2	Wayne National Forest	Ohio	90.1	88.3%	3.7%
3	Cumberland Gap National Historical Park	Kentucky	90.0	82.5%	15.0%
4	New River Gorge National Park and Preserve	West Virginia	89.8	87.5%	4.6%
5	Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area	Kentucky	89.4	87.5%	3.8%
6	Hoosier National Forest	Indiana	87.6	82.1%	11.0%
7	Mark Twain National Forest	Missouri	83.7	79.9%	7.6%
8	Buffalo National River	Arkansas	83.6	79.4%	8.4%
9	Ozark National Scenic Riverways	Missouri	83.0	79.0%	8.1%
10	George Washington and Jefferson National Forest	Virginia	80.1	67.3%	25.7%

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park Tops America’s Autumn Travel Rankings

Virginia has emerged as America’s leading destination for autumn foliage, with Shenandoah National Park securing first place in a new nationwide study of protected forest landscapes.

The research, conducted by Magic Hour using land-cover information from the US Geological Survey, examined 174 federally managed locations across the contiguous United States.

Researchers assessed the proportion of deciduous and mixed forests within each location to estimate their potential for seasonal colour changes.

Shenandoah National Park achieved a Fall Foliage Score of 91.3 out of 100, narrowly ahead of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest and Kentucky’s Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The findings offer travellers a broader selection of autumn destinations beyond traditionally popular leaf-peeping locations. The research by Magic Hour analyzed land-cover data from the US Geological Survey to identify the national parks, forests and other protected federal lands with the greatest proportion of trees that change color during autumn.

How America’s Best Fall Foliage Destinations Were Ranked

The study calculated scores using the proportion of land occupied by deciduous and mixed forests.

Deciduous woodland received full weighting because its trees typically change colour before shedding their leaves. Mixed forests received half weighting to account for evergreen species.

Consequently, the ranking measures the estimated extent of colour-changing woodland rather than actual foliage brightness, visitor satisfaction or peak-season conditions.

Weather, elevation, rainfall and temperature remain important influences on the timing and intensity of autumn colours.

Virginia and Ohio Dominate the Leading Positions

Shenandoah National Park recorded 85.6% deciduous forest and 11.4% mixed woodland, producing its leading score of 91.3.

Located along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the park attracts autumn visitors through Skyline Drive, mountain viewpoints and extensive hiking trails.

Ohio’s Wayne National Forest followed with 90.1, supported by 88.3% deciduous woodland, the highest proportion among the ten leading destinations.

Kentucky’s Cumberland Gap National Historical Park ranked third with 90.0, reflecting its extensive hardwood forests and Appalachian mountain scenery.

West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park and Preserve secured fourth place with 89.8. Its forested canyon landscape provides opportunities for hiking, photography and scenic exploration.

Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area completed the leading five with 89.4.

Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World, commented “America’s autumn landscapes represent an extraordinary opportunity for sustainable tourism and regional economic development. This ranking highlights how destinations beyond established tourism hotspots can attract visitors through their natural beauty and accessible outdoor experiences. From Virginia’s mountain corridors to Ohio’s forests and Kentucky’s scenic landscapes, autumn tourism encourages travellers to explore diverse communities. Greater awareness of these destinations can strengthen local hospitality businesses while promoting responsible travel and appreciation of America’s natural heritage.”

America’s Top Ten Fall Foliage Destinations

Rank	Destination	State	Foliage Score
1	Shenandoah National Park	Virginia	91.3
2	Wayne National Forest	Ohio	90.1
3	Cumberland Gap National Historical Park	Kentucky	90.0
4	New River Gorge National Park and Preserve	West Virginia	89.8
5	Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area	Kentucky	89.4
6	Hoosier National Forest	Indiana	87.6
7	Mark Twain National Forest	Missouri	83.7
8	Buffalo National River	Arkansas	83.6
9	Ozark National Scenic Riverways	Missouri	83.0
10	George Washington and Jefferson National Forest	Virginia	80.1

Source: Magic Hour analysis of US Geological Survey land-cover data. Scores indicate estimated colour-changing forest coverage, not observed foliage conditions.

Missouri, Indiana and Arkansas Offer Alternative Autumn Escapes

Beyond the leading five, Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest ranked sixth with 87.6, followed by Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest at 83.7.

Arkansas’s Buffalo National River secured eighth place, while Missouri’s Ozark National Scenic Riverways ranked ninth.

Virginia’s George Washington and Jefferson National Forest completed the top ten.

Although its score was comparatively lower, the combined forest recorded approximately 1.44 million acres contributing to its foliage assessment, the largest estimated area among the leading destinations.

These findings demonstrate that extensive autumn woodland is not restricted to the highest-ranked national parks.

What the Rankings Mean for Autumn Tourism

The research highlights opportunities for regional tourism businesses, accommodation providers and outdoor recreation operators to promote lesser-known forest destinations.

Locations such as Wayne National Forest and Hoosier National Forest could appeal to travellers seeking accessible woodland experiences without concentrating their visits around famous national parks.

Autumn tourism can support local restaurants, accommodation businesses, guided activities and rural communities.

However, travellers should distinguish forest coverage from guaranteed viewing conditions.

The National Park Service and US Forest Service provide destination-specific visitor information, while regional foliage reports can help travellers assess seasonal changes.

Checking weather forecasts, road conditions and official park notices remains essential before travelling.

Seasonal Travel Planning Remains Essential

The study reinforces the importance of choosing destinations according to location, accessibility and seasonal conditions rather than rankings alone.

Autumn colour develops at different times across the United States, with elevation and local weather influencing the viewing window.

For visitors, flexibility and reliable local information remain central to planning successful foliage holidays.

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park leads America’s autumn foliage rankings, but the findings reveal equally compelling opportunities across Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and neighbouring states. With extensive woodland, scenic driving routes and outdoor recreation, these destinations strengthen autumn tourism while reminding travellers that weather conditions and timing ultimately determine viewing experiences.

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