Best Places to See Changing Leaves This Fall

Watching the leaves fall and change colors is one of the simple joys of the transition between seasons. Cozy sweaters, savory lattes, apple cider, and bright autumn colors are staples for fall. If you’re looking for a quick trip to take for picturesque views of the leaves changing, here are a few places to consider for a visit: 

Piedmont Park, Atlanta 

Believe it or not, you don’t necessarily have to go to a state park or to the mountains to see the beautiful foliage of autumn. Plan to spend a day in Atlanta and relax at Piedmont Park with the beautiful views along with the architecture Atlanta has to offer. There are nice paved trails in the park and it is pet-friendly as well. Make sure your phone (or camera) is charged and snap away at this beautiful spot! 

Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Gorge is about a 3 hour drive from the Augusta area and the views are worth every mile of travel. It’s a beautiful state park year-round, but especially breathtaking in the fall with the canyon that runs through and the colorful oak and maple trees. 

Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville

About an hour north of Atlanta, you‘ll find Red Top Mountain State Park. Lake Allatoona is nearby and beautifully reflects all of the fall colors. There are many different trails to hike with varying degrees of difficulty as well. 

Caesar’s Head State Park, Cleveland, South Carolina

On the South Carolina side, drive about 3 hours to Caesar’s Head and access the overlook on the Blue Ridge Escarpment for spectacular views that extend into North Carolina and Georgia. There are a number of hiking trails and trailside camping if you want to live in the beautiful leaves for a night! 

Jones Gap State Park, Marietta, South Carolina 

The deep mountain cove at Jones Gap brings peace and incredible views. The park is joined with Caesars Head in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which allows hikers to connect between the two parks. The scenic Middle Saluda River also runs through Jones Gap for the soothing sounds of nature while enjoying the warm tones of fall leaves. 

Wherever you decide to watch the leaves change, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to snap away with all of the natural photo opportunities surrounding you!