Fall is the season of change, and with that change comes the opportunity for incredible growth, renewal, and beauty. If you have a creative mind, then autumn can offer the time for you to try new things and embrace new outlets. We love the idea of outdoor photography for a few reasons: it gets you the fresh air your body vies for, it gets you reconnected with nature, and the colors and natural elements provide the best scenery to photograph. If this sounds like something you’d like, we highly suggest you take a look at some of the best places for fall photography. Plan your next trip around setting your sights, and your camera, on some of the best autumnal views in the States.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Of course, we had to put the Great Smoky Mountains on this list. It’s one of the most stunning places for photography no matter the season, but fall in the Smoky Mountains has a special place in our hearts. Though the colors are a bit less vibrant than its northern counterparts, the photo opportunities have no end. Plunging valleys, rushing streams, and historic cabins will give you more than a few perfect shots. To see the peak fall colors, head out here around the end of October to the beginning of November.
Louisiana Cypress Swamp
You may not think of Louisiana as the best place for fall photography, but oh, are you wrong! The cypress swamps in this area offer some breathtaking photographs. The cool weather gives you misty mornings paired with stunning fall cypress leaves. Similar to the indescribable beauty of the Redwoods in California, cypress trees have some of the most textured and ancient beauty of the south. Try out a 3-day photo excursion, and you’ll fall in love with the exquisite beauty of the deep south—the pictures will speak for themselves.
Great Allegheny Passage
One of the top destinations in Pennsylvania for fall foliage shoots, the Great Allegheny Pass originally served as a railway track. Now, the passage includes 150 miles of hiking and biking trails between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Not only will you find incredible sights for your shoot, but you’ll become enveloped in nature and history—you’ll carry the calming effects many days after you leave. We recommend you stop at the Ohiopyle State Park, which is a gorgeous spot in autumn.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Truly a photographer’s paradise, the “U.P” has sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, inland lakes, woods, and wild shorelines for you and your camera to explore. With such a large variety in landscapes for you to choose from, you’ll surely find something unique to focus your photos on. Try out Munising for its great access to the National Lakeshore and its waterfalls and north woods. Head to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, anywhere along the shoreline of Lake Superior, or Red Jack Lake.
Acadia National Park
Finally, we had to include somewhere from New England on this list, and Acadia National Park is the natural choice. You won’t just find winsome autumn foliage, you’ll also see the dramatic meeting of land and sea in this area. No matter whether you make it in time for peak fall color (head here to see when that will be), the park’s coastline will always be glorious. The pink granite boulders and ocean waves always offer a beautiful focus to any photograph. You’ll surely get your fill of nature and beauty when you head out here.
