Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S.
Planning a fall foliage trip? The right hotel can put you close to scenic drives, colorful hikes and mountain views—and points can help cover the trip. From the Blue Ridge Parkway to Napa Valley, these eight leaf-peeping destinations offer different ways to enjoy autumn. Plus, they all have hotels where you can look for an award night. Peak foliage dates vary from year to year, so use the typical windows below to start planning and check local color reports before you leave. Search and confirm hotel award availability before transferring any flexible credit card points. Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S. with points and miles.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Typical peak foliage: Late September to early October around Marquette
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marquette
How to book with points: IHG One Rewards
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S., with forested drives and Lake Superior scenery. Color reaches northern areas first, while early October is a useful planning target around Marquette. Use the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marquette as a base, and search IHG One Rewards for available award nights. Because the Upper Peninsula covers a large area, decide which routes you want to drive before choosing your hotel dates.
How to book: Sign in to IHG One Rewards and search for “Reward Nights.” Rates are dynamic, but dates during the fall start at 22,000 points per night.
The Berkshires, Massachusetts
Typical peak foliage: Early to mid-October
Where to stay: Miraval Berkshires
How to book with points: World of Hyatt
For a fall foliage getaway with a slower pace, head to the Berkshires. Western Massachusetts is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S. earlier in the season, making early to mid-October a good window to watch. Miraval Berkshires in Lenox adds a wellness retreat to the trip, with meals and many activities included in a stay. Spa treatments generally cost extra.
How to book: Search World of Hyatt using the correct number of guests, then compare the points rate with Miraval’s full cash rate. Rates start at 60,000 points per night for two guests and pricing varies based on Hyatt's new pricing model.
Columbia River Gorge, Washington and Oregon
Typical peak foliage: Mid to late October
Where to stay: Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge
How to book with points: World of Hyatt
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S., adding waterfalls and river views to the itinerary. Target late October for color in the Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge area. On the Washington side, Under Canvas offers a glamping stay that Hyatt members can book with points when award availability is offered. Check the property’s seasonal dates before making plans: Hyatt currently lists it as open through October 26, 2026.
How to book: Search the property through World of Hyatt and select “Use Points.” Rates start at around 18,125 points per night, although tent type and date affect both prices. Hyatt prices these awards dynamically, so compare the available tent and cash rate for your actual stay.
Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville, North Carolina
Typical peak foliage: Mid to late October
Where to stay: Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville, Autograph Collection
How to book with points: Marriott Bonvoy
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best-known fall foliage drives in the U.S., and Asheville makes a convenient home base. Color generally begins at higher elevations and moves down the mountainsides throughout October. Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville sits in Biltmore Village, so you can combine a parkway drive with time around Asheville and the Biltmore area. Check Marriott’s award calendar for your dates and review current parkway conditions before heading out.
How to book: Search Marriott Bonvoy for your October dates and select “Use Points.” Rates are dynamic but start at around 71,500 points per night. Compare the total cash cost with the award rate, especially for peak-color weekends.
Missouri’s Ozark Mountains
Typical peak foliage: Mid to late October around Branson
Where to stay: Marriott’s Willow Ridge Lodge
How to book with points: Marriott Bonvoy
The Ozarks offer lake views, wooded hills and scenic drives without requiring a New England itinerary. Around Branson, trees generally develop vibrant fall color in mid-October. Marriott’s Willow Ridge Lodge offers a base for exploring the area, including larger villas that may appeal to families or groups.
How to book: Search Marriott Bonvoy for your October dates with “Use Points” selected. Rates start at 41,000 points per night but vary due to Marriott's dynamic pricing. Check whether those rates apply to the same room type: studios and larger villas can price very differently.
Hudson Valley, New York
Typical peak foliage: Mid-October to early November
Where to stay: The Wick, Hudson, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
How to book with points: Marriott Bonvoy
The Hudson Valley is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S. if you also want restaurants, shops and small-town exploring. Its historical peak foliage window runs from mid-October into early November. The Wick puts you in Hudson, where you can use Marriott Bonvoy points for a stay and make scenic drives part of the weekend. Check the current New York fall foliage report shortly before your trip; color can vary across the valley.
How to book: Search Marriott Bonvoy for your dates and compare the cash and points options for the same room. Pricing for the fall starts at 44,000 points, depending on selected date and goes up from there.
Sedona, Arizona
Typical peak foliage: Late October to early November
Where to stay: Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe
How to book with points: World of Hyatt
Sedona’s fall foliage looks different from the broad forest displays farther north. Along Oak Creek Canyon, changing leaves stand out against the red rocks. Color typically reaches the canyon’s upper areas in late October and the lower areas near Sedona in early November. Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe provides a central base for exploring. Check this award carefully: Hyatt says members can earn points on eligible rental stays at participating Hyatt Vacation Club resorts, but a points booking is not guaranteed for every date or room type.
How to book: Search World of Hyatt for a room available with points. This property is a Category 4, so pricing starts as low as 12,000 but can go up to 25,000. It also would be use of a Category 1-4 FNA, depending on the corresponding points and cash price.
Napa Valley, California
Typical peak foliage: November
Where to stay: Alila Napa Valley
How to book with points: World of Hyatt
Napa Valley is a one of the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S. later in the season, with vineyards typically turning gold and crimson in November. Alila Napa Valley pairs a vineyard setting with easy access to downtown St. Helena. If you’d like to compare other places to stay, our guide to booking Napa Valley hotels with points covers more options. For Alila, search World of Hyatt award nights and compare the points required with the full cash rate for the same dates.
How to book: Search desired dates through World of Hyatt and select “Use Points.” As a Category 8, this property starts as low as 35,000 but goes up to 75,000 during peak season.
How to Make the Most of Your Points on a Fall Foliage Trip
When should you book a leaf-peeping trip? You can reserve a hotel in the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S. well before anyone knows exactly when the leaves will peak. Start with the usual color window, check award space across several dates and review the hotel’s cancellation policy. That gives you a plan you can adjust if conditions change. Compare cash and points prices before every booking. A high cash rate during a popular October weekend may make an award night attractive, but some stays will be a better deal paid in cash. Include any additional hotel charges in that comparison, along with the cost of flights and a rental car.
ToP tip: Foliage reports are most useful close to departure. Once you arrive, having a few drives or hikes at different elevations gives you a better chance of finding color.
Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the U.S.: ToP Thoughts
In the best places to see fall foliage in the U.S., a great redemption does not have to be the most expensive hotel on the list. It might be an IHG stay that makes a Michigan road trip affordable or a Hyatt splurge in the Berkshires. Start with the place you want to see, check its likely color window, and compare cash and points prices before booking. Leave room in your plans to follow the color once you arrive. The best views may be a short drive from where you expected them. Where would you go for your dream leaf-peeping trip? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know.
