Where Are the Best Luxury Leaf-Peeping Getaways in North America for Fall 2025?
- Oscar Saettone
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
From golden larch trails in Alberta to aurora-lit forests in Alaska, North America’s fall landscapes are more captivating than ever. These curated stays combine seasonal color with wellness experiences, outdoor adventure, and luxurious design—offering media a rich story source for autumn travel coverage.
Why Is Fall One of the Most Underrated Luxury Travel Seasons?
Fall offers a rare combination of vibrant foliage, fewer crowds, and lower rates at top-tier properties—while bringing travelers closer to nature’s transformation. For those seeking immersive yet elevated getaways, these destinations blend peak seasonal beauty with architectural charm, wellness, and conservation storytelling.
What Are the Top High-End Leaf-Peeping Destinations in North America?
Here are five must-cover fall escapes with a strong media hook:
1. Chugach National Forest, Alaska
Best time to visit: Early September – Early October
Why it stands out:
America’s northernmost rainforest turns golden with birch and cottonwood
Early aurora sightings and tundra in crimson and amber
Glacier-fed hiking, Oktoberfest celebrations, and serene spa immersion
Where to Stay: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK
Open year-round (unlike many Alaskan lodges)
Home to Alaska’s first Nordic Spa, including The Forest Loop: 6 outdoor wooden tubs, barrel saunas, and forest-view cold plunges
Ideal for post-hike wellness and aurora viewing from a hot tub
Only 40 minutes from Anchorage
A uniquely Alaskan blend of wilderness and restorative luxury—perfect for fall story angles on wellness travel or northern adventure.
2. Vail, Colorado
Best time to visit: Early September – Mid October
Why it stands out:
Vibrant aspen groves blanket the Rocky Mountain slopes
Foliage accessible by gondola, horseback, mountain bike, or foot
Small-town alpine charm paired with world-class infrastructure
Where to Stay: The Sonnenalp, Vail
Family-owned European-style hotel in the heart of town
Offers foliage excursions, Kids Club-guided hikes, and concierge-arranged fall adventures
Spa, indoor-outdoor pool, and six restaurants including award-winning breakfasts
A classic meets contemporary alpine escape that pairs perfectly with a luxury road trip or family-friendly fall feature.
3. Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada
Best time to visit: Late September – Mid October
Why it stands out:
Chester Lake Trail: renowned for golden larch trees and turquoise reflections
Fishing, hiking, and cool-weather forest bathing
Short but dazzling larch-viewing season in the Canadian Rockies
Where to Stay: Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Twilight soaks at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Outdoor adventure rentals, evening campfires, and family programs
Part of the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection
An elevated Canadian Rockies retreat where backcountry beauty meets Nordic luxury—ideal for content on fall wellness, outdoor couples travel, or spa escapes.
4. Hudson Valley, New York
Best time to visit: Early – Mid October
Why it stands out:
Less than 2 hours from NYC by car or 20 min by helicopter
Wallkill River kayaking, Hudson hikes, apple picking, and forest foraging
Leaf-canopied Rail Trails and dramatic Shawagunk Mountains vistas
Where to Stay: Wildflower Farms, Gardiner, NY
Cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and Catskills views
140 acres of trails and woodlands at the foot of the mountains
Signature restaurant (Clay) and cozy firelit lodges
Experiences by: EXP Journeys
Custom fall itineraries with Leave No Trace ethics
Private guides, farm visits, and storytelling-driven adventures
A must-cover retreat for East Coast foliage seekers, ideal for press exploring food + fall design, slow travel, or luxury sustainability.
What Makes These Fall Escapes Media-Worthy?
Seasonal urgency: Fall foliage is fleeting—creating timely editorial appeal
Wellness integration: Forest bathing, Nordic spas, and mindful retreats
Access to untamed beauty: Many properties offer direct access to national forests, rivers, or mountains
Sustainable hospitality: From solar saunas to foraging programs, these resorts lean into environmental responsibility
Suggested Story Angles for Fall 2025
"Where to See Fall Colors in Style" — High-end leaf-peeping destinations
"The Rise of Nordic Spas in North America" — Featuring Alyeska + Kananaskis
"Design-Driven Escapes for Autumn" — Wildflower Farms, Sonnenalp
"Fall Travel with Purpose" — Explore conservation-forward, community-based stays
"Slow Adventures: What to Do Beyond the Foliage" — Curated by EXP Journeys
About the Properties and Operators
About Alyeska Resort: Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s premier year-round destination featuring 299 rooms, a 60-passenger aerial scenic tram, an indoor saltwater pool, and seven dining options, including Seven Glaciers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Award restaurant with unparalleled views overlooking seven hanging glaciers. With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails, and over 669 inches of snow annually, Alyeska Resort is a playground for all levels of skiers and riders. In the summer, Alyeska is your gateway to the Chugach Mountains, offering a peek into the vast wilderness of this breathtaking mountain range. Home to numerous wildlife and flora species, Alyeska seamlessly entwines luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature. First opened in 1994, the resort was acquired in 2018 by Pomeroy Lodging, a Canadian hospitality company that also operates the Kananaskis Lodge and Nordic Spa in Canada. To learn more about Alyeska Resort, visit alyeskaresort.com.
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.
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.
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.
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For media inquiries:
Julie Leventahl
REYA Communications
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