The leaves are changing to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow, the air is getting cooler and crisper, and the kayaks are coming out of hibernation. Yes, it can only mean one thing – autumn has arrived in the United States! This is a beautiful time of year to go kayaking, as the colors are at their most vibrant, and there is a special magic in the air. The United States has the best kayaking for fall foliage.
There are many great places to kayak in the fall, but many think the eastern portion of the US is the best. The Hudson River in New York, Acadia National Park in Maine, and Lake Champlain in Vermont are great places to kayak and see the fall foliage. But what makes the United States so great for kayaking in the fall? Many people believe it’s because of the variety of landscapes. You can find everything from mountains to forests to lakes. This means that no matter your skill level, there’s a place for you to go kayaking.
So why not get out there and enjoy the fall foliage? Kayaking is a great way to see the leaves change color and enjoy the scenery. Just be sure to dress warmly and be prepared for the cooler temperatures.
Easy Kayaking Spots for Fall Colors
Taking in the scenery of the fall foliage is best done on a leisure paddle before it gets too cold to really enjoy yourself. The sites below have easy access from major cities with tons of local outfitters and a great way to see the fall colors at their finest.
Hudson River, New York
The Hudson River is one of the most popular places to kayak in New York. It runs for 315 miles and passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. The best time to kayak the Hudson River is mid-September to early October. This is the time to go if you want to see the leaves at their peak.
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Charles River, Massachusetts
The Charles River is another excellent place to kayak in New England. This river is a little shorter than the Hudson, just 80 miles long. However, it is still packed with stunning scenery. This is a great way to see Newton, Watertown, Cambridge, and Boston as the water makes its way towards the Atlantic.
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Delaware River, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey
The Delaware River is a great option if you’re looking for a great place to kayak in the fall. The river winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains, providing stunning foliage views. There are several places to kayak along the river, including Callicoon, New York; Hancock, New York; and Lambertville, New Jersey. The river winds through mountains, forests, and fields, providing a beautiful backdrop for your kayaking adventure. Additionally, the river is relatively calm, making it a great option for beginners.
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Where to launch:
- Delaware River Raft Launch
- Sandt’s Eddy Boat Access
- USNPS Upper Delaware River Information Kiosk and Boat Launch
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a unique place to visit because of its natural beauty and the opportunity for outdoor recreation. The BWCAW offers more than 1,000 miles of canoe routes and over 2,000 lakes and streams that can be explored. Kayaking is a popular activity in the area, and there are countless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Some interesting facts about the BWCAW include its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its home to North America’s largest population of gray wolves.
Where to launch:
- Bear Island lake (S) Public Water access
- Bear Island Lake (N) Public Water Access
- Twin Lakes Public Water Access
Difficult and Technical Kayaking with Fall Colors
With so many paddling trails in the US, you won’t have problems finding a challenging paddle. We love Vermont and Maine but have seen the beauty in the Ozarks of Missouri and the trees surrounding whitewater rapids on the Nolichucky River. These are only a few of our recommendations. It’s tough to choose just a few.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri is a federally protected park that spans over 80 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The park was established in 1964 to protect the waterways and surrounding landscape from development. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is popular canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and camping destination. The rivers wind through forests of oak and hickory trees and limestone cliffs and caves. During the fall, these trees turn red, orange, and yellow. The area is also home to various wildlife, including deer, bald eagles, ospreys, otters, beavers, and bobcats.
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The Green Mountains in Vermont
The Green Mountains in Vermont are a beautiful and challenging place to kayak. The area is full of history, with Native American tribes occupying the land for centuries before the arrival of European settlers. The landscape is rugged and varied, with forests, rivers, and mountains making up the scenery. Many animals are also found in the area, including deer, moose, bears, and bobcats. Kayaking in the Green Mountains is a great way to experience all these unique regions offers. There are many different trails to choose from, each offering challenges and rewards. Some waterways include- Otter Creek, The Lamoille River, Lake Champlain, and Killington Pond.
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Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a beautiful park located on the coast of Maine. The park is home to a rocky coastline, forests, mountains, and lakes. The fall foliage in Acadia National Park is stunning, with trees changing colors from yellow and orange to red and purple. The park is also home to various wildlife, including moose, deer, black bears, bald eagles, and ospreys. Some interesting facts about Acadia National Park include its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the fact that it is the oldest national park east of the Mississippi River.
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Cherokee National Forest, Nolichucky River
The Cherokee National Forest is home to the Nolichucky River and the Nolichucky Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in the eastern part of the US. Adventure seekers come here not just for the spectacular colorful fall scenery but for the whitewater rapids. The scenic river hosts intermediate raids class III-IV. The river starts in North Carolina and cuts through northeastern Tennessee.
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National Park Kayaking Spots for Fall Colors
With so many national parks throughout the US, it’s not hard to find a national park that displays the beautiful fall foliage. Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are popular choices in the eastern part of the country. While Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, among many other states, have a great display of changing colors.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a beautiful place to kayak in the fall. The park is located on the shores of Lake Superior and features 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline. Big Bay State Park is an excellent kayak place located on Madeline Island’s east. The park has a large bay with plenty of coves to explore. It’s also an ideal place for swimming, fishing, and camping. If you’re looking for something more challenging, try kayaking at the Sand Point Trailhead. This trail takes you through some rough water and offers beautiful views of the mainland cliffs. Be sure to wear your lifejacket! If you want to explore some of the smaller islands in the area, try out Lake LaBarge or Lake Superior. These lakes have plenty of small islands that make for great exploration trips. Check out more Wisconsin National Parks here!
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Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park is a great place to go kayaking in the fall. The leaves change color, and the scenery is beautiful. There are many great places to kayak in Shenandoah, but some of the best spots are along the Rapidan River. The Rapidan River is a great place to kayak because it has a variety of landscapes. You can find everything from mountains to forests to lakes. This means that no matter your skill level, there’s a place for you to go kayaking. Cedar Creek and White Oak Canyon are great places to kayak in Shenandoah National Park. The scenery is beautiful, and the water is calm. This is an excellent place for beginners to kayak because the water is not too rough.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. The park is home to various ecosystems, including forests, rivers, and mountains. The best places to kayak here include the Oconaluftee River and the Little Pigeon River. Outside the park you’ll also find some fun whitewater rafting (when it’s in season).
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is an iconic American park located in Wyoming. It is one of the best places in the United States to kayak in the fall and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, offering various landscapes, including mountains, forests, and lakes. The Snake River, Jenny Lake, and Jackson Lake are popular waterways for a paddle. The most popular time to visit the park is in the summers. Fall brings a change of colors, cooler weather, and fewer crowds. Check out our guide to kayaking spots in Grand Teton National Park!
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Need to Know for Kayaking during Fall Colors
Experiencing autumn in all its glory while floating down a river or paddling through a quiet lake is an unforgettable experience that you’ll never forget. So get your kayak ready for some fall fun!
When to Visit the Appalachian Mountains and the New England States for Fall Foliage
Depending on where you plan kayaking, the best months for seeing the fall foliage are between September and November. The leaves on different trees turn different colors. Some trees, like the sugar maple, turn a bright red. Other trees, like the aspen, turn a light yellow. For the Appalachian Mountains states, such as Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, the best time to see the fall foliage is mid to late October. For New England states, like Vermont and New Hampshire, the best time to see the fall foliage is early to mid-October.
The leaves of deciduous trees change color in the fall because of a decrease in sunlight and temperature. The daylight decreases in the fall because the Earth’s tilt causes less direct sunlight to reach the Northern Hemisphere. The reduced sunlight means that chlorophyll production slows down. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color. As chlorophyll production slows down, other colors that were always present in the leaves become visible, like yellow and red. The exact timing of when leaves change color depends on the tree species and the season’s conditions.
Weather in the Appalachian Mountains and the New England States in the Fall
Fall weather in the Appalachian states is characterized by cool nights and warm days. This makes for an ideal environment to see the foliage. The cool nights cause the leaves to change color faster than in other regions. The warm days help preserve the colors longer. The Adirondacks are a great place for kayaking in the fall where you’ll get the whole run of weather.
In New England, the fall weather is characterized by crisp mornings and cooler days. This also creates an ideal environment to see the fall foliage. The crisp mornings help bring out the colors in the leaves, and the cooler days help preserve them.
Visiting the Rocky Mountain Region for Fall Colors
The fall colors season in the Rocky Mountains is short, so if you’re planning on paddling in the Tetons or Yellowstone, or up into Montana you’ll need to plan it for the end of September and early October. The season change pretty fast up here. We’ve been on the Flathead and Clark Fork Rivers in Montana in the fall many times, and between the morning river fog and the warm afternoons, every trip is sure to be quite different.
Fall colors peak earlier at higher elevations, so be sure to check the weather reports a few weeks before you’re planning to visit, because once you start seeing close-to-freezing temperatures in the forecast, that means the fall colors are starting or have already begun.
In our opinion, the best way to see the fall foliage is on a paddle trip but off the waters, choose a scenic drive through the mountains. You can also go on hikes and biking trails. There are many different ways to enjoy the fall foliage. Regardless of how you choose, just make sure to get out there and enjoy it!
