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Autumn Eye Candy: Soaking up Fall Color
Autumn color abounds at TPL-protected places around the country. From Maine to Montana, we’ve got inspo for your next road trip, paddling spot, or hiking destination—or, at the very least, some great fodder for an afternoon of desktop daydreaming.
By Trust for Public Land
Updated September 4, 2023
Few sights dazzle the eye like a stunning display of autumn foliage, and fall is in full swing at Trust for Public Land–protected places around the country.
We’re celebrating the season by sharing some favorite spots in all their red, gold, and orange glory. If you wish you could be road-tripping to catch the leaves turning instead of stuck at your desk, you’ll love this cornucopia of color.
Kingfield Community Forest (Kingfield, Maine)
Colorful leaves dot a trail at Kingfield Community Forest in Maine. Photo: Cynthia Orcutt
Tucked in Maine’s High Peaks region, far from the bustling coast, lies the town of Kingfield. With no crowds, there is perhaps no better place to see the fall colors than in the 215-acre Kingfield Community Forest that we helped protect. The forest includes Shiloh Pond, a paddling destination, which means you can admire the foliage from land or water. Support our work in Maine.
Hunger Mountain Headwaters (Stowe, Middlesex, and Worcester, Vermont)
Hikers walk through the Hunger Mountain Headwaters in Vermont. Photo: Kurt Budliger
Hunger Mountain and White Rock Mountain are two of Vermont’s most popular day hikes. At the summits, hikers are treated to views of the White Mountains, the Adirondacks, and the northern Green Mountain Range. With a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees, you’ll see pops of color, including birches and maples, amid the evergreens. Support our work in Vermont.
Walden Woods (Concord, Massachusetts)
An autumnal scene beckons at Walden Woods in Massachusetts. Photo: Ian MacLellan
Walden; or Life in the Woods, Henry David Thoreau’s account of his time at Walden Pond, is a testament to simple living. While Walden Pond has long been protected as a state park, the nearby Walden Woods were threatened by development until we stepped in. This time of year, the 85 protected acres—including Bear Garden Hill, where Thoreau took moonlit walks—come alive with autumn’s warm palette. Support our work in Massachusetts.
Mono Pond State Park Reserve (Columbia, Connecticut)
Cyclists enjoy Mono Pond State Park Reserve in Connecticut. Photo: Richard Freeda
With lowland blueberry swamps and rocky foothills, Mono Pond State Park Reserve is a destination for mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching, paddling, and fishing. But come fall, it is one of the best spots in Connecticut for leaf-peeping. Last year, we conveyed 403 acres of forestland and five miles of trails, nearly tripling the size of the park. Support our work in Connecticut.
Stonehouse Pond (Barrington, New Hampshire)
Bright autumn trees and the cliff reflect in a still Stonehouse Pond in New Hampshire. Photo: Jerry and Marcy Monkman
The vivid blue waters of Stonehouse Pond make an ideal counterpoint to the vibrant foliage along its shores. Surrounding the 13-acre pond is an easy one-mile loop trail. Beyond that are towering cliffs, oak and pine woodlands, and vernal pools. The woods attract songbirds like chickadees, nuthatches, and tufted titmice, as well as various species of woodpecker. Bring your binoculars. Support our work in New Hampshire.
Beaty Landing (Painesville, Ohio)
Enjoying a brisk fall stroll at Beaty Landing in Painesville, Ohio. Photo: Chris Bennett
The 102-mile Grand River, a tributary of Lake Erie, flows gently through northeastern Ohio where it eventually meanders through the city of Painesville on its way to the Great Lake. There, the river glides through Beaty Landing, a 55-acre park that offers quick access to sylvan splendor. The river banks support stands of ash, elm, maple, and pin oak, whose canopies streak the river bronze, scarlet, and gold. Support our work in Ohio.
Coney Island (Lake Waconia, Minnesota)
Fall colors also look lovely at dusk as seen here at Coney Island on Lake Waconia in Minnesota. Photo: Andy Richter
Located on Lake Waconia, just southwest of Minneapolis, the “Coney Island of the West” is a relic of days gone by when city dwellers vacationed at nearby lake resorts. Today, only the crumbled remnants of these structures remain, overtaken by nature. And it’s thanks to nature, like the green ash and oak trees rooted there, that the island wears a gilded crown of leaves each fall. Support our work in Minnesota.
Story Mill Community Park (Bozeman, Montana)
Peaceful skies and water along the Story Mill Connector Trail in Bozeman, Montana. Photo: Christi Cooper-Kuhn
Nearly four miles of trails traverse the 60-acre Story Mill Community Park, which sits at the confluence of Bozeman Creek and the East Gallatin River. Pick a path—and an autumn adventure—and explore a restored swath of East Gallatin River frontage and observe birds and other wildlife in the park’s 15 acres of wetlands. The park, Bozeman’s largest, opened in 2019 following a seven-year community effort we supported. Support our work in Montana.
Icicle Creek (Leavenworth, Washington)
Icicle Creek tumbles through salmon habitat near Leavenworth, Washington. Photo: USFWS Pacific
Know what pairs well with autumn colors? Oktoberfest fun. Fringed with foliage that explodes in fall colors, Icicle Creek tumbles through the Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth, Washington. Over the years, we’ve worked with the Chelan Douglas Land Trust and the Icicle Fund to save the natural beauty of this free-flowing river. Support our work in Washington.
Feeling Inspired?
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