8 Best State Parks to Visit in Fall

Autumn often flies under the radar in many state parks, despite changing foliage, less extreme weather, and a break from the crush of visitors. Whether you prefer to spy migrating birds, hit the trail, camp before the snow comes, find beautiful fall colors, or let the water soothe you, there are plenty of opportunities at these eight destinations in the West.

Chugach State Park, Alaska

With almost half a million acres in Southcentral Alaska, Chugach State Park is one of the four largest state parks in the U.S. Beyond the foothills at the edge of Anchorage, the wildlife-rich habitat has 16 trailheads that provide access to 280 miles of trails. In early fall, watch the leaves turn colors at 7-mile-long Eklutna Lake, created after Eklutna Glacier retreated and mountain streams filled the valley flanked by the Chugach Mountains. Open year-round, the first-come, first-served Eklutna Lake Campground has 50 campsites and four public-use cabins, as well as water, latrines, picnic tables, and firepits.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Arizona

After the baking heat fades, head to Dead Horse Ranch State Park to enjoy vibrant foliage and birding. The Verde River, a National Wild and Scenic River, flows through and draws gray foxes, river otters, Gambel’s quail, and more. Each fall, celebrate this distinctive riparian habitat during the annual Verde River Day, held in late September (Sept. 27 this year). The day promotes preservation and care of the environment, and includes canoe rides, fishing, nature walks, and live music.

Giant Springs State Park, Montana

Giant Springs State Park is one of the largest freshwater springs in the U.S. Its water originates from the Little Belt Mountains, and it takes about 26 years to reach the springs. One of the most spectacular features of this day-use park is the Great Falls of the Missouri, where four separate falls of the Missouri River drop the water level 612 feet. The park is also well-known for more than 30 miles of paved and dirt single-track trails for hiking and biking, which are part of the larger River’s Edge Trail System. Meander along the easy 1.4-mile Giant Springs State Park Loop for sparkling views.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California

The last of the redwood parks along Northern California’s coast, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is perhaps the most unspoiled, with lush, uninterrupted old-growth redwood groves. When the summer crowds are gone and rain has yet to soak the area, fall is the time to feel magically alone among the 10,000 acres of primeval redwood groves at the confluence of the Smith River and Mill Creek. While deer, gray and Douglas squirrels, raccoons, and redwood chipmunks are commonly spotted, a lucky visitor may spy an otter playing in the river. Note, the visitor center is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day.

Keyhole State Park, Wyoming

Along the western edge of the Black Hills and within sight of Devils Tower (also known as Mato Tipila), Keyhole State Park features a more than 14,000-acre reservoir and 2,000 acres of land surrounding it. Fishing fans flock here for the prime walleye fishery, but the recent development of hiking and biking trails lures folks interested in putting in some mileage with views of the water. Keyhole has an abundance of tent and RV camping space, as well as four cabins. One of the best scores is the semifurnished tree house nestled among ponderosa pine trees in the Cottonwood Campground.

Mount Tamalpais State Park, California

Fall is Cinderella season at Mount Tamalpais State Park, when the fog is more evasive, the light is golden, and the views can stretch seemingly forever. Majestic Mount Tam stands above Marin County, and its varied landscapes range from the deep shade of redwood forests to grasslands with a touch of fresh ocean air. If it rains, the mountain’s creeks and waterfalls are dazzling. Be sure to allot time to stand in awe on the 2,571-foot summit. On a clear day, you can see the distant Farallon Islands 28 miles off the coast of San Francisco, the foothills that surround the Bay Area, and views of the bay.

Sand Harbor State Park, Nevada

Picturesque Sand Harbor State Park curves around the northeast edge of Lake Tahoe. It’s so beautiful that its shoreline is inundated with visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but come October, the crowds are gone and it’s more than worth a trip. While it’s often too chilly to swim by the autumn equinox, you can still kayak or enjoy the sights from shore. Three trails (Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail, Sand Point Nature Trail, and Tahoe East Shore Trail) range in distance from 0.5 to 3 miles respectively, and offer eye-catching views of the lake.

Utahraptor State Park, Utah

To the West of Arches National Park, Utah’s newest state park, is rich in fossils. Named after the Utahraptor, a dinosaur larger than the Velociraptor, it houses one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in North America, with at least 5,500 bones from more than 10 dinosaur species. Day-use visitors have access to the visitor center, hiking trails such as the Interpretive/Historic Trail and the Dalton Wells Quarry Trail (keep your eyes on the ground here to spot fossils), and the Sovereign Trail System for off-roading in Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV), including ATVs. (In every park, it’s essential to stay on marked trails to protect the plants and animals that live there. At Utahraptor, that also includes cryptobiotic soil, which contains living organisms that are the foundation for desert plant life.) Want to stay longer? Camp in the newly opened Gastonia Campground.