Shenandoah National Park

Lonely PlanetAug 20, 2026

Best places to see fall colors in the USA

Fall leaf-peeping requires a curious mix of science and intuition. Get our tips on where and when to catch the fiery colors at their brightest.

22 things in this story

Skyline DriveSightRoad-trip for breathtaking autumnal vistas.
Elsewhere
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United StatesGets in the spirit, too.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesDig deep into the beauty of southern Appalachia.
Green MountainsSightStowe, United StatesHighest points in Vermont's photogenic Green Mountains.
Virginia Department of ForestryPlaceRichmond, United StatesOffers fall foliage reports.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic AreaSightHood River, United StatesExplosions of gold and orange.
Emerald Pools TrailTrailZion National Park, United StatesImmersive journeys through Zion's autumnal wonders.
Pisgah National ForestSightAsheville, United StatesIt is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Cherokee National ForestNature reserveCleveland, United Statesstates of Tennessee and North Carolina that was created on June 14, 1920.
Potomac HighlandsSightPetersburg, United StatesColors collide with waterfalls and craggy peaks.
New RiverSightGauley Bridge, United StatesViews of crimson and tangerine treetops.
Hatfield-McCoy MountainsSightWilliamson, United StatesHike into the multihued hollows.
West Virginia tourism boardPlaceCharleston, United StatesManages a live leaf map.
TetonsPlace of worshipJackson, United States– Current Mass Schedule – Monday – Saturday – Morning Mass: 8:00am Thursday – Mass: 5:30pm – Adoration: 8:30am – 5:15pm…
Snake RiverSightJackson, United StatesAbout 1,080 miles (1,740 km) long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, which is the largest North…
Lamoille CanyonSightWinnemucca, United StatesSee golden treetops wrap around rocky peaks.
Ruby Crest TrailTrailWinnemucca, United StatesImmerse yourself in nature.
Ozark Highlands TrailTrailOzark, United StatesCrosses the Boston Mountain Range.
Buffalo National RiverSightHarrison, United StatesCountry's first national river.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestSightRhinelander, United StatesTake a scenic drive through the forest.
Travel WisconsinPlaceMadison, United StatesFall color reports for live updates.
Door CountySightSturgeon Bay, United StatesSpectacular fall foliage destination.

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Lonely PlanetAug 12

The best inn-to-inn hikes in the USA

Do-it-yourself multiday hikes between inns are harder to find in the USA than in Europe, but these six are worth the effort.

23 things in this story

Big Meadows LodgeHotelBig Meadows Lodge offers an ideal walkable experience for those wishing to dine, shop, drink, and explore right outside…
Lewis Mountain CabinsHotelCabins have outdoor grill, picnic tables, gift shop.
SkylandHotelThe show is a co-production between Paris's Method…
Elsewhere
Bright Angel TrailTrailGrand Canyon, United StatesTrail for ascending from the canyon.
Yosemite National ParkHotelYosemite Valley, United StatesHome to the High Sierra Camps.
Appalachian TrailTrailWhite Mountains, United StatesScramble over granite boulders, dart across summits.
Lakes of the CloudsHotelWhite Mountains, United Statesstate of New Hampshire.
Appalachian Mountain ClubPlaceWhite Mountains, United StatesManages backcountry hut system since 1888.
Highland CenterHotelWhite Mountains, United StatesNear Crawford Notch, popular trailhead.
Joe Dodge LodgeHotelWhite Mountains, United StatesAt Pinkham Notch, near popular trailhead.
Bascom LodgeHotelMount Greylock, United StatesArts-and-crafts-style rooms on Mt Greylock summit.
Harbour House InnHotelCheshire, United StatesWelcoming inn in Cheshire, short walk from trail.
TouristsMotelNorth Adams, United StatesRevamped motor court with 90-acre campus beside river.
North Kaibab TrailTrailGrand Canyon, United StatesSteep trail for dropping into the canyon.
Phantom RanchHotelGrand Canyon, United StatesHikers gather for cold beer and family-style dinners.
El TovarHotelGrand Canyon, United StatesRustic elegance, fine end-of-hike reward.
Grand Canyon LodgeHotelGrand Canyon, United StatesDining options, rooms and cabins have ceiling fans.
South Kaibab TrailTrailGrand Canyon, United StatesTrail to Phantom Ranch from the South Rim.
Sneffels RangeTrailOuray, United States34-mile mountain path from Telluride to Ouray.
San Juan HutsPlaceOuray, United StatesManages four shelters along the Sneffels Range path.
Mt SneffelsSightOuray, United StatesSummit of 14,157ft in the Sneffels Range.
GreenleafHotelWhite Mountains, United States
Zealand FallsHotelWhite Mountains, United States

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 23

The Best Places to Stay Near Shenandoah National Park for Blue Ridge Mountain Views and Appalachian Trail Activities

From historic mountain resorts to charming inns, here are the best places to stay amongst nature in the Old Dominion.

24 things in this story

Big Meadows LodgeHotelOffers walkable dining, shopping, drinking, and exploring.
Appalachian TrailTrailFeatures 101 miles within the park.
Blackrock OverlookSightHalf-mile hike behind lodge with breathtaking views.
Byrd Visitor CenterSightHosted a memorable full moon walk and telescope viewing.
Skyland resortHotelSits at the highest point along Skyline Drive.
Pollock Dining RoomRestaurantDine on the terrace with expansive views.
Mile High Blackberry Ice Cream PieRestaurantA must-try dessert at Pollock Dining Room.
Masanutten LodgeSightFounder's wife's 1911 home, now a women-focused exhibit.
Hawksbill MountainSightMarking the border between Madison County and Page County in Virginia, the summit of Hawksbill Mountain is the highest…
Stony Man TrailTrail
Elsewhere
Mimslyn InnHotelLuray, United StatesFeatures historic cottages perfect for generational travel.
Luray CavernsSightLuray, United StatesUnderground experience drawing nature lovers.
Shenandoah RiverSightLuray, United StatesNearby natural feature.
The Blackburn InnHotelStaunton, United StatesHistoric building with 12-foot ceilings and spiral staircase.
ZynodoaRestaurantStaunton, United StatesDowntown restaurant supporting local producers.
Iris InnHotelWaynesboro, United StatesCozy cabins with Shenandoah Valley views and private hot tubs.
The Historic Inn at OakdeneHotelStaunton, United StatesHistoric 1893 mansion with modern castle-like appearance.
The Echols SuiteHotelStaunton, United StatesOffers a sunroom experience similar to the mansion.
Frontier Culture MuseumMuseumStaunton, United StatesNearby historical museum.
Love Ridge Mountain LodgingHotelLyndhurst, United StatesOffers cabins and glamping tents with social opportunities.
George Washington National ForestSightLyndhurst, United StatesNearby natural area for outdoor activities.
L'Auberge ProvencaleHotelBoyce, United StatesBed-and-breakfast transporting guests to Provence, France.
Briede Family VineyardsSightBoyce, United StatesNearby vineyard.
American Shakespeare CenterSightStaunton, United States

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OutsideJun 26

Catch Spectacular Summer Firefly Displays at These 6 National Parks

Early summer brings one of nature’s most impressive displays as thousands of fireflies light up forests across national parks. Here’s where you can still catch the show.

13 things in this story

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSightThousands of synchronous fireflies illuminate the forest in unison.
Cuyahoga Valley National ParkSightHome to an impressive diversity of fireflies, up to 24 species.
Shenandoah National ParkSightProtected forests and meadows provide perfect living conditions for fireflies.
Skyline DriveSightScenic autumn drives through Shenandoah National Park.
Big Meadows CampgroundSightOpen fields provide ideal viewing for fireflies after sunset.
Congaree National ParkSightThousands of synchronous fireflies gather, flashing in unison.
Firefly TrailTrail1.8-mile route through the park's best firefly habitats.
Mammoth Cave National ParkPlaceLandscape glows with incalculable fireflies after daylight fades.
Indiana Dunes National ParkPlaceWetlands, savannas, and wooded areas create prime habitats for fireflies.
Cowles Bog TrailTrail4.7-mile loop through wetlands and forest for spotting fireflies.
Great Marsh TrailTrail1.3-mile route offering access to marshland firefly viewing.
ElkmontNeighborhoodArea in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for synchronous fireflies.
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath TrailTrailOpen fields along the trail are good for observing fireflies.

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