The folks behind onX Backcountry, a trail guide and GPS mapping app for outdoor adventures, have released a list of the 10 best state parks in the U.S. for fall foliage hikes. Can you guess which state has the top state park for fall colors? (It’s Maine!)
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To determine the top 10, onX pulled together some data from its various apps, filtering through lens such as most hikeable trail mileages (pulled from the Backcountry app), the highest density of deciduous trees (via the “Deciduous Tree Layer” in the Hunt app), and recent imagery (also a layer in the Hunt app).
If you’re looking to enjoy fall colors without the crowds you’ll usually find in a national park, check these state parks out!
[RELATED: High-Flying Foliage: 9 Ways to See Fall Colors From Above]
1. Baxter State Park, ME:
- 390 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Early October – Mid October
- Tree Species: Maples, Oaks, Birches
2. State Forest State Park, CO
- 305 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Mid September – Mid October
- Tree Species: Aspens, Oaks, Elms, Hickories
3. Allegany State Park, NY
- 283 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Mid October – Late October
- Tree Species: Maples, Oaks, Sassafras
4. Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
- 220 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Late October – Early November
- Tree Species: Maples, Gums, Oaks
5. Wasatch Mountain State Park, UT
- 196 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Mid September – Early October
- Tree Species: Aspens, Maples, Birches
6. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, MI
- 157 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Mid October – Early November
- Tree Species: Maples, Oaks, and Sassafras
7. Ohiopyle State Park, PA
- 154 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Mid October
- Tree Species: Maples, Oaks, Poplars, Beeches, Gums, Cherries, Birches
8. Itasca State Park, MN
- 126 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Late September – Mid October
- Tree Species: Aspens, Birches, Maples, Oaks
9. East Fork State Park, OH
- 87 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Late September – Mid October
- Tree Species: Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sassafras
10. Bear Creek Lake State Park, VA
- 112 miles of hikeable trails
- Peak Viewing Times: Late October – Early November
- Tree Species: Oaks, Poplars, Maples, Sweet Gums, Beeches
Check out photos of some of the top state parks for fall foliage hikes here:
Header stock image of Mount Katahdin near Baxter State Park by DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
