The Best Leaf-Peeping Escapes and Luxe Stays Across North America
- Alexandra Avila
- Aug 1
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 20
As the last warm days of summer give way to crisp mornings and golden light, North America begins its most breathtaking transformation. From the amber-drenched Hudson Valley to the golden larch trails of Alberta and the aurora-kissed forests of Alaska’s Chugach National Forest, fall offers an irresistible invitation to slow down and soak in the season’s natural splendor. For travelers seeking the perfect blend of autumn adventure and high-end comfort, these destinations deliver. Whether it’s sipping cider fireside at a design-forward Catskills retreat, hiking beneath gold-flecked peaks in the Canadian Rockies, or witnessing the northern lights from a forest-immersed spa in Girdwood, Alaska, each experience is thoughtfully curated to celebrate the fleeting beauty of fall. These are the stays and settings that belong on every discerning leaf-peeper’s list.
Chugach National Forest, Alaska: Early September to Early October
Tucked within America’s northernmost rainforest, Alaska’s Chugach National Forest offers a dramatic and often overlooked backdrop for fall foliage. Here, vast stands of birch and cottonwood turn brilliant gold beneath snow-dusted peaks, while the tundra bursts into crimson and amber. The fall season arrives early in Alaska—usually by mid-September—making it a prime time to explore this vast, glacier-fed wilderness before winter settles in. With fewer crowds, crisp days, and the first sightings of the aurora borealis dancing overhead, it’s no wonder locals call this their favorite time of year.
Where to Stay: Incredible opportunities from fall foliage hiking excursions to Oktoberfest celebrations and an Aurora Concierge on site make fall a prime time to visit Alyeska Resort in Alaska. As most lodges close for the year in September, the largest mountain resort in the state, Alyeska Resort, located 40 minutes from Anchorage in Girdwood, remains one of the few properties to remain open year-round offering guests continued access to Alaska’s adventure and wellness offerings. Fewer crowds and lower prices but equally unforgettable experiences make the shoulder season one of the best times to visit the 49th state. Alyeska Resort, the largest ski resort in Alaska, is located within America’s northernmost rainforest: the Chugach National Forest. In Alyeska’s famed Nordic Spa, the first of its kind in Alaska, there is a uniquely relaxing opportunity to immerse yourself, both in the hot tub and the trees, with their recently opened Forest Loop. The Forest Loop folds together the best elements of the forest with luxury facilities and world class spa amenities for guests to stop in during their walk, including six outdoor hot and cold wooden tubs, two barrel saunas, and two Banya saunas. The opportunity to see the autumnal beauty of Alaska's beautiful forest from the comfort of a spa robe is an unparalleled offering.
About Alyeska Resort: Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring 299 rooms, a 40-passenger aerial scenic tram, an indoor saltwater pool, a 50,000 sq.ft Nordic Spa and seven dining options, including Seven Glaciers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers. First opened in 1994, the property was acquired in 2018 by Pomeroy Lodging, a Canadian hospitality company that also operates the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and Nordic Spa in Canada. In 2023, it became the first and only mountain in Alaska on the Ikon Pass and in 2024 they launched their Black Diamond Club offering premium accommodations, services, and amenities exclusive to the resort’s 8th-floor guests. With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails, and over 669 inches of snow annually, the resort is truly a playground for all levels of skiers and riders. A gateway to the Chugach Mountains, the resort seamlessly entwines luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature. Their summertime experience offers a peek into the vast wilderness of this breathtaking mountain range that is home to numerous wildlife and flora species. To learn more visit alyeskaresort.com.
Vail, Colorado: Early September to Mid October
Although famous for being a top ski destination in the winter, Vail is spectacular in the fall as the Aspens blanket the mountains with their colorful foliage. Vail offers a variety of leaf peeping opportunities be it on foot, bike or horseback. You can hike through the North Trail or Deluge Lake Trail, ride horseback or take a scenic gondola ride up Vail Mountain, and mountain-bike through the numerous trails down.
Where to stay: The Sonnenalp. Located in the heart of Vail, this family-owned luxury hotel offers numerous fall activities and events available for guests including horseback riding and mountain biking. The hotel has an activity coordinator that can arrange reservations and rentals for guests. There is also a Kids Club guide that can take families and private groups to see fall foliage by car and on hike.The best time to catch Vail’s fall foliage is from early September to mid/late October. The Aspen trees start to change in early September and usually peak around the third week of that month. Depending on weather conditions, the colors usually stick around until late October.
About The Sonnenalp: The Sonnenalp tradition of hospitality goes back over a century to Bavaria, where the Faessler family opened a hotel that epitomized the finest in personalized service in beautiful surroundings. Featuring over a 100 rooms and suites, The Sonnenalp offers unique experiences both inside and outside their hotel. Within the hotel, there is a European-style spa for guests to enjoy, an indoor/outdoor pool, and six restaurants including Ludwig’s breakfast which serves an over-the-top European-style breakfast buffet. For activities outside the hotel such as horseback riding and mountain biking, the hotel’s concierge can help guests with reservations.
Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada: Late September to Mid October
Chester Lake is renowned as a larch-viewing trail in autumn. For those precious few weeks at the end of September and the beginning of October, golden larch views stretch across the valley. Chester lake never fails to impress with its turquoise, mirrored water providing clear reflections of the surrounding rocky peaks. The scenery is incredible in all directions, especially in the fall when the most amazing golden hues of larches spread out before you from the direction you came. Hiking, fishing for Cutthroat and Dolly Varden Trout and if you are adventurous in the cooler months even swimming are great ways to enjoy the day there. Kananaskis Mountain Lodge will provide guests with a Peak Picnic to fuel your adventure and enjoy along the trail.
Where to Stay: The perfect time to explore Kananaskis is when the green forests begin to transform into their magnificent hues of gold. The short but sweet larch season is a favorite in the Canadian Rockies. Staying at the Pomeroy Kananskis Mountain Lodge is the perfect base for your autumn adventure so after a long day of hiking, you can rest those tired legs with a Twilight soak at the Nordic Spa or a post-hike cocktail. Enjoy the scenery while sipping on your favorite drink at the Blacktail Bar. Make sure to check out the Complete Guide to Hiking in Kananaskis
About Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge:
Where backcountry beauty and luxury meet. Part of the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection, the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge offers 317 rooms, 19,804 square feet of meeting space, five dining outlets, as well as the Kananaskis Nordic Spa and an expansive indoor/outdoor waterpark with new heated outdoor pool. The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, located at the base of Mount Kidd, offers direct access to stunning pathways, including the breathtaking Village Rim. Situated in Kananaskis Village and next to Kananaskis Outfitters, guests can rent outdoor equipment year-round, including mountain bikes, hiking poles, cross country skis, skates or snowshoes. The Lodge offers a robust guest activities calendar, with many supervised activities so parents and kids can have a relaxing yet adventurous time. Additionally, the concierge can provide suggested Strava routes for various activities. Finally, each evening features the Lodge’s signature Fireside Moment, an authentically Canadian campfire where guests gather to connect with the great outdoors.
Hudson Valley, NY: Early to Mid October
The Hudson Valley is one of the East Coast’s hidden gems for fall travel, and Wildflower Farms offers an incredible front-row seat to the season's magic. Tour operator EXP Journeys takes guests on either a scenic 90 minute drive or 20 minute helicopter ride from New York City, making it an ideal spot for a long weekend or as a stop on a broader East Coast leaf-peeping journey from New York to Massachusetts.
They curate experiences such as guided foraging on the property, biking the Rail Trail, especially in the fall when the canopy of golden, red and orange colored leaves cover the trail, hiking along the Hudson River or rock climbing in Shawagunk Mountains. A must is kayaking on the Wallkill River in the fall with the leaves reflecting on the water in the morning, followed by a visit to a local farm like Wrights Farm for apples and cinnamon donuts.
Where to Stay: Wildflower Farms sits on 140 acres of meadows and woodlands at the base of the Catskill Mountains in Gardiner, New York. The design of Wildflower Farms, from the open-air lobby with cozy fire pits to the cabins featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the autumn transition, strikes that perfect balance of comfort and nature. It’s a property that showcases the Hudson Valley’s ever-changing landscape, with fall offering the most breathtaking display. At the end of each day, guests can enjoy a sundowner on the deck of the Great Lodge, where there’s no better vantage point for taking in the fall foliage. The only thing that would pull them away from the views is their dinner reservation at Clay, Wildflower Farm's restaurant.
About EXP Journeys:
EXP Journeys curates highly customized experiences across North and South America to Antarctica, rooted in environmental responsibility and immersive storytelling. With strong ties to the guiding community and an in-house guide training program, the company approaches each itinerary with a commitment to sustainability and creativity. Its signature ‘Leave No Trace’ mobile camps offer luxury accommodations in the most remote and breathtaking locations in the U.S., including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab, Escalante, and Lake Powell, ensuring unforgettable experiences that tread lightly on the land.
For media inquiries:
Julie Leventahl
REYA Communications
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