Fall Colors, Full Throttle:
Where to Leaf-Peep This Fall
When fall paints the landscape in blazing reds, golds, and ambers, the best seat in the house isn’t behind a car windshield—it’s on two or four wheels. Whether you’re cruising winding backroads on a Scooter or exploring forest trails on an ATV or Side-by-Side, leaf-peeping season is your ticket to adventure. On-road or off, you’ll discover crisp air, quiet stretches of nature, and views that most travelers never get to see. This fall, skip the crowds and chase the colors your way—where the ride is just as unforgettable as the scenery.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac website, leaves usually begin changing color as early as mid-September, hit their color peak sometime in October, and fall sometime in early November. Consider these popular leaf-peeping destinations for your next adventure this fall:
OZARK MOUNTAINS, AR
SCENIC DRIVES AROUND
OZARK NATIONAL FOREST
MID-OCTOBER
Just about every road in the Ozarks is engulfed in the vibrant hues of fall by mid-October. Witness their transformation on two wheels via a variety of scenic loops and byways: Boston Mountains Scenic Loop, the Pig Trail Scenic Byway, the Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway, the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway, and the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway.
While you’re in the Ozarks, you can do more than just admire the view from the road. The Ozark National Forest OHV trail network delivers over 3,600 miles of designated routes. From winding canyon rides to high ridgelines, this is one of the best places in the country to pair foliage with off-road adventure.
Photo credit: Connor Wilkins
BLUE RIDE PARKWAY, VA & NC
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST & HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS
LATE-SEPTEMBER – EARLY OCTOBER
The Parkway is famous for its scenic drives, but just beyond the overlooks lie some of the Southeast’s top ATV destinations. Head west to Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia or south to Brown Mountain OHV Trail System in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina for rugged, color-drenched riding. It’s the perfect way to expand your leaf-peeping road trip into a full off-road escape.
Photo credit: Jeffery Hamilton
LOGAN CANYON SCENIC BYWAY, UT
CACHE NATIONAL FOREST OHV TRAILS
EARLY OCTOBER
Brilliant maples, golden aspens, and sweeping canyon walls make Logan Canyon one of Utah’s most colorful drives. Just minutes away, the Cache National Forest OHV trails and Bear Lake area routes deliver challenging climbs, mountain overlooks, and unbeatable fall scenery on four wheels.
Photo credit: Matthew Montrone
BUCKHORN LAKE STATE PARK, KY
DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST OHV TRAILS
LATE OCTOBER
Set in the Appalachian foothills, Buckhorn Lake is surrounded by steep ridges that glow with color each fall. Just beyond the park, riders can tap into the Daniel Boone National Forest OHV trials, or venture farther into West Virginia for access to the legendary Hatfield-McCoy system mentioned above.
Photo credit: Joshua Michaels
VOGEL STATE PARK, GA
BEASLEY KNOB & DAVENPORT MOUNTAIN OHV TRAILS
LATE OCTOBER
In the heart of the Chattahoochee Mountains, Vogel is a fall color hotspot for scooter and motorcycle riders. For off-roaders, it’s also a gateway to Beasley Knob and Davenport Mountain OHV Trails, offering steep, technical routes wrapped in autumn foliage. It’s fall riding at its finest.
Photo credit: Alfred Schrock
POCONOS, PA
BIG POCONO STATE PARK & ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AREA (AOAA)
MID-OCTOBER
The Poconos turn a stunning mix of red, orange, and gold in mid-October. Witness postcard-worthy panoramic summit views at Big Pocono State Park. ATV and Side-by-Side riders can head west to Anthracite Adventure Area for sprawling trail systems in peak fall color.
Photo credit: Tommy Kwak
GATLINBURG & THE SMOKIES, TN
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS & BRIMSTONE RECREATION
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER
The Smokies are a world-class leaf-peeping destination. And nearby, the Southeast’s premier OHV areas await. Brimstone Recreation offers miles of ATV/UTV trails, all framed by the changing colors of Appalachia. Spend a morning in the park, then hit the trials for a full fall throttle experience.
Photo credit: Michael Foster
TAOS, NM
ENCHANTED CIRCLE & CARSON NATIONAL FOREST OHV TRAILS
LATE-SEPTEMBER
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway around Taos blends alpine aspens with desert mesas for a uniquely Southwestern foliage ride. Nearby Carson National Forest OHV trails let you explore high-country terrain on your ATV or UTV, where golden aspens shimmer against red rock landscapes. It’s a one-of-a-kind fall riding experience.
Photo credit: Carson Cooman
PRO TIP: Higher elevations change first. Start north and in the mountains in late September, then follow the color wave south through early November.
No matter how you ride—on a scooter winding through scenic backroads or an ATV tackling rugged forest trails—fall is the perfect time to explore. The season is short, but the memories last long after the leaves have fallen. So gear up, grab your camera, and hit the road or trail to see autumn’s colors up close. With the right KYMCO ride beneath you, every twist and turn becomes part of the view.