Best Fall Colors in West?
 

Any suggestions of places to see the best fall colors in the West?? We live in Utah and have been to some beautiful places, but would like to go someplace new and beautiful during fall to see the colors, in Wyoming, Idaho, California?? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

I'd say southern Wyo and northern CO right now; this weekend the aspen and cottonwood leaves near Teton/westernmost WYO were being blown off already. Maybe northern Idaho? Haven't been this year, so can't say. Colorado aspen colors reign supreme--but better get moving!!

Um.....you live in Utah and are looking for fall colors in the west? I think you need to go East. I can give you some aspens on the Western Wyoming/Idaho border, but I think you really need to think "New England". Forget California. I used to live in the Rocky Mountains of western Wyoming, and I now live in California is why I am thinking I am an expert.

You want fall colors? Go East, young man/woman.

Oh...I take it back. Maybe, maybe Colorado?

Anybody want to jump in here?

Flying back from SLC last Wed, the colors below over Utah and Colorado were unbelievable! Certainly at peak now so, yes, hurry. Colorado's aspens were glorious and Utah's many hues caused oohs and aahs. Maybe there's no place like home :)

I live in Laramie, WY and the aspens are peaking right now. I think they are gorgeous, but I haven't been anywhere else during the fall. My boyfriend is going to get to see Wyoming's gorgeous fall colors camping in the Snowy Range this weekend. I honestly think that Wyoming and Northern Colorado have a truly unique fall foliage and you can't compare it with the East because the trees are entirely different species!
Enjoy the weather if you go this weekend...as it appears winter is fast approaching.

Cottonwoods, Birch, Larch, Aspen, etc. are hitting now in Northern CA. See also, WY.

Thanks to all of your suggestions. We traveled up into the mountains of eastern Utah (Park City, Heber, etc), and seen some beautiful scenery. I think I will take the advice to head East. Next year, we will try to make a small trip back east. Any recommendations for exact good locations in the East??

Locations in the East. New England.

There are companies which do New England fall color tours. Do a google and find a company and see what their itinerary is.

Your destination in the east depends on when you want to go. In the Appalachians from Western North Carolina up through Virginia and West Virginia, past Maryland, into Pennsylvania and New York, and then New England--they all have beautiful fall foliage beginning in September and all through October, maybe even into November. I've seen gorgeous fall color in Virginia and Maryland, but haven't made it up to New England in the fall yet. Maybe when I retire from teaching. . . .

I've just come back from Longview, WA - a lovely little lumber town with the best fall colors! There's a lake in the middle of town, Lake Sacagawea, and to walk along it and see the autumn leaves blowing along the ground - I love it! Town has a unique smell (lumber mill, I guess) - I love that too!

People tend to think California has no beautiful falls because they think of southern california (which really doesn't have a fall - and san franciso - which doesn't have a fall either) when they think of California. Go to Sacramento (I grew up there - head to the fab 40's or Land Park near the zoo) to see a beautiful fall in California. And what about Yosemite?! Don't disregrad California falls - you just need to head to northern california for the beautiful changing of leaves.

I miss autumn in Northern California.

I grew up in MD/DC area. Fall in NW MD is beautiful, but I think SW Virginia and eastern West Virginia have it beat. I hear that Central West Virginia is even more picturesque. I am sure that WVA is much less expensive than New England.