Seeing fall colors from a car? A hiker's opinion

Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease is able to hike through forests or climb steep mountainsides. For many, even walking on pavement is a challenge.

But that doesn’t mean they cannot enjoy the outdoors. Nature offers fantastic displays in the fall that can be seen by anyone who is able to get into a vehicle. (Jump to list of scenic drives.)

Wait. Isn’t this a hiking blog?

Why would an avid hiker write a blog post about driving to see trees ablaze in color instead of being surrounded by them while on foot?

Isn’t that kind of like watching a commercial for a frozen custard shop instead of eating some of that glorious custard yourself?

A winding road cuts through a fall colored forest.

I wish that everybody could hike.

But enjoying the parade of colors by car is hardly a transgression. There are no “adventure police” to pull you over. We can do only what our bodies allow us to do.

Besides, I believe the Creator appreciates our awe and gratitude for outdoor beauty no matter how it’s beheld.

Some scenic drives

I made a list of scenic autumn drives, using both my experience and some research. It’s just a start. There may be a scenic drive near you. Hopefully there is.

First, remember that timing is key when leaf peeping. The weeks that will offer the most exciting vistas depend on an area’s summer rainfall and temperatures, as well as other factors like latitude and elevation. Go online for local fall color reports as you start planning a scenic drive.

Then hop in and get ready for the show.

Blue Ridge Parkway

This road offers views from high in the Appalachian Mountains, quiet pastoral scenes, and forests with delightful autumn hues. It’s perhaps one of the best-known scenic byways in the U.S., but be aware that certain stretches have been closed since Hurricane Helene struck. So check online first.
Where: North Carolina and Virginia
Length: 469 miles
Best time to go: most of October
Fun fact: In the North Carolina portion you’ll find the peak of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River. It can be accessed with a short walk from the parking area.

A road with a guard rail goes by a scenic view of fall colors.

Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway

This highway closely follows the Columbia River as it rolls through the Columbia River Gorge, which is framed by fern-covered basalt walls and accented by a several waterfalls.
Where: Oregon
Length: 70 miles
Best time to go: late September and into November
Fun fact: About halfway through the route is the Bonneville Lock and Dam, the first built on the Columbia. A visitors center includes an underwater window where you can watch fish bypassing the hydropower turbines.

A wide shot of the Columbia River in Oregon.

Kancamagus Highway (Route 112)

The “Kanc,” as it’s known, winds through White Mountain National Forest and offers overlooks along the Swift River. You may find a seasonal festival or two along the way.
Where: New Hampshire
Length: 35 miles
Best time to go: early to mid-October
NOT-so-fun fact: The mountain views are legendary, and people come from all over the U.S. to see the blazes of color. Avoid crowds by going out early in the day.

Door County Coastal Byway

This route meanders through forests, along the coasts of Lake Michigan, and through charming towns offering great restaurants and breweries.
Where: Wisconsin
Length: 66 miles
Best time to go: late September to early October
Fun fact: Several of Wisconsin’s iconic lighthouses are found not far off the road. They are worth a visit.

A red painted lighthouse has metal docks leading to it out in the water.

Talladega Scenic Byway

This beautiful fall drive also reaches a high point: the top of Cheaha Mountain is the tallest point in Alabama. The Southern states often have longer colorful peak seasons than in other regions of the U.S., offering flexibility in planning.
Where: Alabama
Length: 29 miles
Best time to go: mid to late October and far into November
Fun fact: A 90-year-old open-air observation tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is at the summit and a great place for picture taking.

Utah Scenic Byway (Route12)

A road goes past red rocks covered by fall colors.

Scenic drives in the Intermountain West, including this stunner, are filled with red rock cliffs and alpine forests that blend with bright blue skies to create a color palette unlike any other.

Where: Utah
Length: 124 miles
Best time to go: early to mid-October
Fun fact: The route swings by at least two of Utah’s five national parks: Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.