Back to the full Top 10
#2 on this list
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
Skyline Drive framed in red and gold; crisp hiking weather.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#3 on this list
Acadia National Park
Maine
Foliage meets the ocean; crowds gone after Columbus Day.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Shenandoah National Park | Acadia National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Northern Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia | Mount Desert Island, Maine |
| Total Acreage | Over 200,000 acres | — |
| High Point | Hawksbill Mountain (4,051 feet) | — |
| Spine Road | Skyline Drive (105 miles, 35 mph limit) | — |
| Peak Foliage | Typically mid to late October | — |
| Key Permit | Old Rag Day-Use Ticket (Mar 1–Nov 30) | — |
| Terrain | — | Glaciated granite domes, coastal bluffs, mixed forests |
| October Temps | — | Highs around 55°F, lows around 38°F |
| Carriage Roads | — | 45 miles of crushed-stone vehicle-free paths |
| Cadillac Access | — | Timed vehicle reservations required through late October |
| Park Fee | — | Standard National Park entrance pass required |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Shenandoah National Park
- Extended foliage season moving progressively from peak summits down to valleys
- Over 500 miles of interconnected trails catering to all endurance levels
- Class 3 granite rock scrambling on Old Rag is rare for the Mid-Atlantic
- Frequent autumn black bear sightings during heavy pre-winter feeding
- Skyline Drive and popular trailheads suffer extreme weekend gridlock in October
- Old Rag requires competitive advance tickets that sell out quickly
- Steep canyon routes demand serious knee-taxing descents and climbs
Acadia National Park
- Vibrant hardwood canopy directly borders open Atlantic surf
- Lover-density trails and empty turnouts after mid-month holiday
- Cool daytime temperatures eliminate summer heat exhaustion on climbs
- Extensive car-free carriage road system ideal for gravel riding
- Damp autumn sea fog makes steep granite scrambles hazardous
- Cadillac Mountain road requires advance vehicle reservations
- Park campgrounds and regional amenities shut down mid-month
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.