Travelers may have an exaggerated sense of how much visitation drops off… Foliage changes first at higher (and thus colder) elevations and slowly progresses down-slope.

Thats a given, says Palmer.

The average temperature drops from a high of 92 degrees in August to a comfortable 75 in October.

Fall Scenes from Acadia National Park, Maine

Fall foliage in Acadia National Park.Credit:Teresa Kopec/Getty Images

For starters, it has the largest collection of hoodoos (spire-shaped rock columns) in the world.

It also boasts amazing hiking trails and status as an International Dark Sky Park.

While the park is open year-round, fall makes for an exceptional trip.

View of Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains from the park’s famous Skyline Drive Buck Hollow Overlook.

Fall foliage in Shenandoah National Park.Different_Brian/Getty Images

Its important to note, however, that snow is definitely possible this time of year.

If seeing fall foliage is an absolute must, include the Valley Loop Trail in your itinerary.

In October, the bigleaf maples turn yellow and dogwoods put on their deep red and purple hues.

Scenic Landscape with Fog on The Tennessee River

Fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains.Dan Reynolds Photography/Getty Images

He notes that the fall colors would kick in around mid-October, so plan your trip accordingly.

Not to mention, the lower temperatures make paddling Cedar Creek or hiking Kingsnake Trail more palatable.

A moose in the Grand Tetons

Wildlife in Grand Teton National Park.Chris Marinaccio/Travel + Leisure

Wide view of Grand Canyon landscape

Sunrise in the Grand Canyon National Park.Jyotsna Bhamidipati/Travel + Leisure

Wide view of Bryce Canyon

People hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Scenic view of landscape against sky,Big Bend National Park

Fall foliage in Big Bend National Park.Peter B. Nyren / 500px/Getty Images

Mountain landscape in Colorado

Fall foliage in Rocky Mountain National Park.Xsandra/Getty Images

Landscape in Yellowstone

Fall foliage in Yellowstone National Park.Daniel Ribar/Travel + Leisure

Landscape in Yosemite

Mountains in Yosemite National Park.Irjallina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Sunrise at Pinnacle Overlook, Fog, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Cumberland Gap, Virginia, Tennessee, USA.

Pinnacle Overlook in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Old North Bridge over the Concord River in Autumn

Fall foliage in the Minute Man National Historic Park.APCortizasJr/Getty Images

Congaree National Park passing through the swamp lands.

The boardwalk in Congaree National Park.jasony00/Getty Images

Highland Lighthouse, oldest and tallest on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA.

Highland Lighthouse in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.haveseen/Getty Images

Arches national park at dusk

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.Steele Burrow/Getty Images