Unearth The Voyage
Autumn transforms America’s forests into living paintings, with fiery reds, burnt oranges, and golden yellows replacing summer’s greens. While popular trails like those in Vermont or the Smokies draw massive crowds, dozens of lesser-known paths offer equally stunning fall color without the elbow-to-elbow hiking. From Pennsylvania’s elk country to New Mexico’s hidden maple canyons, these underrated trails reward adventurers with solitude, wildlife encounters, and jaw-dropping foliage displays that rival any famous destination.
1. Quehanna Trail (PA) — Wild reds & golds in elk country
Pennsylvania’s Quehanna Trail forms a massive 72-mile loop through Moshannon and Elk State Forests, where civilization feels worlds away. Hardwood forests create natural tunnels overhead, erupting into fiery reds and golds every October.
Elk roam freely here, adding an unexpected wildlife dimension to your autumn adventure. You might spot a bull bugling at dawn or a herd grazing in clearings surrounded by blazing foliage.
Backpackers can tackle sections rather than committing to the full loop, making this remote gem accessible for weekend warriors. The solitude alone makes Quehanna worth the trip—you’ll have these spectacular colors mostly to yourself.
2. North Fork Mountain Trail to Chimney Top/High Knob (WV) — Endless ridge views
Monongahela National Forest’s North Fork Mountain Trail delivers what serious hikers crave: constant ridge-top overlooks and minimal effort for maximum payoff. The 5.2-mile out-and-back to Chimney Top showcases blazing hardwoods carpeting the valleys below, with the dramatic Smoke Hole canyon dropping away beneath your boots.
September through November offers prime viewing, though West Virginia’s foliage forecast helps pinpoint peak weekend. Longer treks toward High Knob extend the ridgeline magic for those craving more miles.
Unlike crowded Appalachian hotspots, this trail remains blissfully quiet even during fall’s most colorful weeks. Pack layers—ridge winds bite harder than valley breezes.
3. Ozark Highlands Trail, Boston Mountains segment (AR) — Bluff lines & bigleaf color
Stretching 254 miles across Arkansas’s Ozarks, the Ozark Highlands Trail hides spectacular fall color behind its low profile. The Boston Mountains segment showcases towering bluffs, crystal-clear streams, and impressively light foot traffic—even during peak foliage season.
Maples, hickories, and oaks stage their annual color show here, painting dramatic cliff lines and creek valleys in warm autumn hues. Day hikers near Lake Fort Smith or the Buffalo River can sample the magic without committing to long-distance trekking.
This trail proves Arkansas deserves more recognition in fall foliage conversations. Bring a fishing rod—those clear Ozark streams hold surprises beyond just scenery.
4. Pinhoti Trail at Cheaha (AL) — Alabama’s high point in full color
Alabama rarely appears in fall foliage roundups, which makes the Pinhoti Trail through Talladega National Forest such a delightful secret. Quiet ridges wind through mixed hardwoods that transform beautifully come autumn, with far fewer hikers than famous Southern Appalachian trails.
A quick detour leads to Cheaha Mountain—Alabama’s highest point at 2,407 feet—where panoramic views reveal wave after wave of colorful ridges. Long-distance hikers appreciate the Pinhoti’s connection to the Appalachian Trail system, but weekend wanderers find plenty to love in shorter sections.
October brings ideal temperatures alongside the color show. Pack binoculars for hawk migration—raptors ride thermals above these ridges by the hundreds.
5. Old Baldy/Bridges Loop, Garner State Park (TX) — Cypress flares over the Frio
Texas Hill Country explodes with unexpected autumn drama along the Frio River, where bald cypress trees trade their summer greens for fiery reds and oranges. The Old Baldy and Bridges Loop trails offer steep but short climbs—Old Baldy and Painted Rock viewpoints reward your effort with sweeping river valley panoramas.
Maples join the cypress in this colorful riverside show, typically peaking late October into November when most of Texas still feels summery. The combination of water, limestone bluffs, and vibrant foliage creates scenes more Vermont than Lone Star State.
Arrive early on weekends—Garner’s popularity means parking fills fast during prime color season.
6. Fourth of July Canyon Loop, Manzano Mountains (NM) — Rare red maples in the Southwest
New Mexico’s Fourth of July Canyon holds a botanical surprise: bigtooth maples that blaze brilliant red every October, a rare sight in the Southwest. These creek-cooled canyons create microclimates where Eastern hardwoods thrive alongside golden aspens, producing color combinations you won’t find elsewhere in the region.
The moderate 4-to-6-mile loops follow babbling streams beneath towering ponderosas, with maples clustered in moist canyon bottoms. October timing is critical—arrive too early or late and you’ll miss the brief but spectacular show.
Elevation changes keep temperatures comfortable even as lowland New Mexico bakes. Bring a camera—these unexpected reds photograph beautifully against desert-blue skies.
7. Escarpment Trail, Porcupine Mountains (MI) — Lake-of-the-Clouds panoramas
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula saves its best for the Escarpment Trail, where continuous ridge walking delivers nonstop overlooks of Lake of the Clouds and the Carp River Valley below. Late September through early October transforms this landscape into one of the Midwest’s most photographed autumn scenes—and for good reason.
The trail follows high escarpments for miles, each viewpoint seemingly more dramatic than the last. Maples, birches, and aspens create a patchwork quilt of reds, oranges, and yellows stretching to the horizon.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park protects this treasure, keeping development at bay. Sunset hikes offer magical light, but headlamps are essential for safe return.
8. Ozark Trail, Current River Section (MO) — Quiet hills, classic hardwood blaze
Missouri’s Ozark Trail saves its most scenic stretch for the Current River section, where Stegall Mountain climbs reward hikers with far-reaching views over endless oak-hickory forests. Mid-October typically brings peak color, when these classic Ozark hardwoods shift through every shade of autumn.
This segment sees far less traffic than Missouri’s more famous trails, offering peaceful immersion in fall’s beauty. Rolling hills create constantly changing perspectives as you wind through valleys and crest ridges draped in warm autumn hues.
The Current River itself adds waterway beauty to the forest show. Plan camping carefully—backcountry sites book up surprisingly fast during October’s prime viewing window.
