While hiking is appropriate any time of year, there is arguably no better time to hike than in the fall. The weather is refreshing, the foliage is vibrant, and the trails are less crowded. Below are some of our favorites to inspire you to head out for the day or get away for the weekend to enjoy your next great fall hike.
1. Inside Loop Trail
Chain O’Lakes State Park, Indiana
- Distance: 10.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 738 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Leashed Dogs Allowed
- Best Months: Year Round
- Why We Love It: Bird-watching, wildlife-spotting and well-maintained trails
This hike may become your new favorite, featuring wildlife sightings and bird-watching along well-maintained trails weaving between a chain of lakes. The trails also loop in such a way that it allows for differing lengths or courses as desired.
This camp is located about 20 minutes north of Fort Wayne in Churubusco, Indiana. Plenty of onsite amenities are available for a comfortable stay.
2. Pinchot Trail
Gifford Pinchot State Park, Pennsylvania
- Distance: 21.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,601 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Dogs Allowed
- Best Months: May-November
- Why We Love It: Bird-watching, scenic overlooks and wildflowers
Visit the wide-open Pinchot Trail loop trail located near Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania. The trail can be separated into a Northern Loop and a Southern Loop to accommodate multiple distances, and is well marked throughout. The Northern Loop is mainly flat and rocky whereas the Southern Loop has multiple elevation changes. If you’re feeling a little extra adventurous, a side trail leads to Pine Hill Lookout, with beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.
The campground features over 300 sites, with restroom bathhouses and wash sinks within walking distance. A designating swimming area for overnight guests is available when the beach is open for swimming. A playground, a volleyball court, and horseshoe pits are also available.
3. Mountain Trail
Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 908 feet
- Route Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Best Months: August-November
- Why We Love It: Vibrant colors of autumn in New England
Fire towers in fall offer a birds eye view of the spectacular colors found all around. Mountain Trail at Pawtuckaway State Park rewards hikers with a fire tower atop the 885-foot South Mountain at the end of a 2.4 mile hike with great views of the 5,000 acres of conservation land below. The hike to the summit is wooded with plenty of areas to scramble and climb to enjoy great views of the region. The hike takes about three or four hours at a leisurely pace.
The campground is well located for easy access to a variety of attractions and activities. Hiking, mountain biking, boating, swimming, and fishing are popular pastimes of campers. All sites are wooded and many provide views of the lake. Each of the campsites has an open fireplace, picnic table, flat area for a tent, and a parking space.
Recommended Article: Fall Foliage Trips to Plan Now
4. Crystal Trail
Milford State Park, Kansas
- Distance: 2.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 121 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Leashed Dogs Allowed
- Best Months: Year Round
- Why We Love It: Wildlife spotting and colorful geodes near trail
Located near Milford, Kansas, Crystal Trail is an easy loop suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Wildlife, including deer and bald eagles, are easily viewed along this trail that is open all year long. The trail also passes an old quarry where a sharp eye may spot small, colorful geode rocks.
This 1,084-acre recreation area features seven campgrounds with 92 campsites, 142 RV hookups and ten cabins. The park is nestled along the banks of the Milford Reservoir, making it great for watersports, swimming and fishing, in addition to hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and other popular activities in the area.
5. Arthur’s Rock Trail
Lory State Park, Colorado
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Route Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Leashed Dogs Allowed
- Best Months: March-October
- Why We Love It: Scenic overlooks, wildflowers and rock scrambling at summit
This moderately trafficked trail offers plenty of shade, and in most seasons, is interspersed with wild flowers. Much of the hike features stunning views, perfect for seeing fall foliage. There is some rock scrambling as you summit the last tenth of a mile. The trail is located near Bellvue, Colorado.
Lory State Park has dozens of miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding amongst foothills surrounding the Horsetooth Reservoir. There are six campsites at Lory State Park. For more amenities, Canyonside Campground has five fully furnished cabins, ten RV sites with full hook ups and two areas for tent camping.
6. Lake Lowndes Loop
Lake Lowndes State Park, Mississippi
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 252 feet
- Route Type: Loop
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Leashed Dogs Allowed
- Best Months: March-October
- Why We Love It: Trail loops around a lake and through the woods
This loop trail around a scenic Lake Lowndes lake is lightly trafficked and found near Columbus, Mississippi. The trail offers some great views of the lake and weaves in and out of the forest. Lake Lowndes State Park enccompasses the 150 acre Lake Lowndes and provides opportunities for plenty of other activities, including kayaking and fishing. The park also has 66 campsites, including 8 cabins.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.