4Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is famous for its towering peaks and alpine lakes, but in autumn, it’s the park’s aspen trees that steal the show. These trees, with their shimmering golden leaves, create a magical scene against the backdrop of rugged mountain terrain. The park is a photographer’s dream, especially when the aspens turn in late September to early October.
The scenic Trail Ridge Road, which crosses the Continental Divide, offers incredible views of the fall foliage from above 12,000 feet. Hiking trails like Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge are especially beautiful in the autumn, with reflections of the golden aspen trees mirrored in the pristine mountain lakes. Fall also marks the elk rutting season, and visitors can often hear the haunting bugles of bull elk echoing through the valleys.
