We asked five experts what the best US national parks are for fall and they picked these two places

With pumpkin spice lattes flowing, lanterns lit, and foliage floating gently from the tree branches to the Earth, all the signs are here: we are firmly in fall. And there’s no better place to experience the magic of the season than America’s national parks.

There’s just one problem. The United States has more than 60 national parks to choose from and all of them are charming in their own way. But rather than leave you hanging on the best places to visit this season, we turned to experts in the travel industry for recommendations on which national parks offer something special this fall. And it turns out that people are divided into two fantastic parks.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National ParkLocated about an hour outside of Boulder, Colorado, it offers visitors more than 400 square miles to explore, ranging from grasslands to challenging mountain terrain along more than 300 miles of hiking trails. And that’s just the beginning.

Fiorella Yriberry, travel expert at RVshareI couldn’t agree more, noting that Aspen trees offer particular beauty this season: “Aspen trees are turning brilliant gold, the air is fresh, and the crowds have thinned out for the season.”

But, as Yriberry added, the leaves aren’t the only thing special about fall in the park. “Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park means elk rutting season. A unique and special time of year when elk sing through the valley. For the best chance to witness this bucket-list wildlife moment, head to the Morain Park grasslands at dusk or dawn.”

Ash Nudd, hiking concierge for WorldMark by Wyndham and a former national park ranger, agreed with all of the above, but also recommended that looking for smaller critters is also key. Nudd challenges all visitors to try to spot the “adorable pika in the rock piles or the bighorn sheep in the meadows. It’s the perfect time to really experience the park’s landscape and wildlife up close.”

Need some details on what to see here? Alex Alioto, co-founder of whimHe noted that “the Bear Lake area has trails through aspen trees,” while Trail Ridge Road “offers high mountain views” and cited Emerald Lake Trail as the “ideal moderate hike with golden trees and lakes.”

Acadia National Park

Naturally, New England’s only national park I received many thanks. After all, it’s where foliage season really shines and where guests can hike more than 150 miles of trails to find it.

“The rustling of leaves paired with some of fall’s broader color palettes will surprise and delight,” Fredericks said, waxing poetic about the Maine park. “Vast carpets of crimson, emerald, ecru tones, burnt oranges, rich siennas and mossy greens reveal the tints and hues of the season in spectacular variety.” Your must-see spot for foliage viewing is at the top of

Cadillac Mountain, where you can enjoy the “immensity of Maine’s geography,” according to Fredericks, who called it a photographer’s dream.

Steve Schwab, CEO of home rental website CasagoHe also said Acadia is his favorite national park to visit in the fall because of all those colors. “The fall colors throughout that region are unmatched. If I visit a national park in the fall, I want to go somewhere where I can appreciate those colors, and Acadia National Park does that,” he told T+L. “I would definitely recommend checking out the carriage roads if you go.”

Gabe and Rocío Rivero, THOR Industries brand ambassadors, noted that while there are some resorts that close in early fall, there are still “many uninhabited places on the way to Acadia National Park” for those who are okay with roughing it. “Acadia also has Bar Harbor, which is the quintessential Maine town with all the charm, tourist shops and lobster fair you could want.”

Alioto offered even more must-see spots, including, like Fredericks, Cadillac Mountain for sunrise viewing, along with the Jordan Pond Path for “an easy hike with good views and the Precipice Trail for experienced hikers who want coastal views.” Alioto also said that for those just looking to enjoy the view from the car, Park Loop is the way to go.