09/10/2014 11:35 AM EDT
Relish in a lovely picnic under vivid autumn maples of New England or a crisp morning stroll surrounded by golden aspens of the Mountain West. You can also count on exceptional fall colors along almost any section of the 2,184 mile (3,514 km), 14 state Appalachian National Scenic Trail from Georgia to Maine, but just about every state has some special place for you to discover the beauty of fall.
Photo of Rocky Mountain National Park by Steven Sawusch