Mountains, Hiking and Wildlife in Fall
 

Hello!
We are looking for a 4-5 night trip in the US (or Canada) where we will experience wildlife and mountainous scenery.
We have been to Glacier, Big Sur, Zion, Yellowstone, Tetons, Bryce, parts of NM, Mt. Hood and Mt Ranier and the Oregon coastal drive. Unfortunately, Yosemite is very difficult to get to with all the driving but considering it one day.

We love to hike (2-3 hr max) and sightsee, and wildlife spotting is heaven for us. We don't like extreme heat so considering mid Sept or October.

I welcome your thoughts, even if outside the USA, assuming we can get there. Also considered St. Lucia and Puerto Rico but seems that is hurricane season. Utah parks? Az? Other?

Big thanks!

You wrote you've been to Glacier(I assume Montana).

Could you tell me what you've done there since I've seen more wildlife there than anywhere else.

Late September/early October is the perfect time to visit Colorado. Usually the weather is very pleasant, warm but not hot (although in the higher elevations, snow isn't unheard of.) Rocky Mountain National Park is full of hiking trails for all abilities and the elk rut is an amazing spectacle to see and hear! It's usually peak time for the aspen autumn foliage. It's an easy 90 minute drive from Denver to Estes Park. It might be exactly what you're looking for!

I also would suggest RMNP. Your time might be a bit short if you have altitude issues, but otherwise it meets your interests.

Perfect time for Mt. Kineo in Maine. Fly into Bangor.

Yes @Myer Montana - did Manny Glacier, Iceberg Lake and more, saw the most spectacular wildlife. Very hard to compare any trip now. Yellowstone was great as well for elk and such. Forgot to mention I have been to RMNP and hiked, not as much wildlife.
Maine could be good!

Thanks!

Canadian Rockies: Banff, Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, Jasper. If you just have 5 days, you won't have time for Jasper. Beautiful scenery,hiking,wildlife.

Not as much wildlife but have also enjoyed Sedona and Telluride/Ouray. It's off season in September in Telluride-affordable lodging,2for1 dinners,gorgeous scenery,great hiking

@LindainOhio Canadian Rockies sound super! A bit concerned about clearing customs and the drive time but love these ideas. Telluride is tough to get to from Denver, not sure of another way. Big thanks!

> wildlife and mountainous scenery

Given that you've done Yellowstone and Glacier NP, then Banff is your ticket.


> A bit concerned about clearing customs

If you decide that's your choice, were you planning on driving or flying to that area? In either case, crossing the border will be easy to do with a valid U.S. passport (or passport card), impossible to do without one. If driving, you'll be asked the usual questions at the border ("Where are you headed for?" "How long will you be staying?") but you'll go through pretty quickly UNLESS you do something stupid*.

If flying, it'll be no worse than any other flight to a non-U.S. destination. Again, you'll be asked the usual questions ("How long did you stay?" "Did you make any purchases?"), which will be no problem as long as you answer all of them directly and truthfully.

Here's official info:
http://canada.usembassy.gov/travelin...ng-canada.html

* Like forget that border agents have no sense of humor, and that the U.S. Second Amendment doesn't apply outside the U.S.

What is your max drive time? Yosemite is 3 hours from San Francisco but you said that's too far.

I'd say Great Smokey Mountains but it's hard to give suggestions without knowing how far you are willing to drive.

I am ok with a 3 hour drive, not bad! It is challenging however after a long flight "assuming" all goes well.