5 underrated national parks for fall foliage, according to a traveler who's visited every state

Alexandra Blodgett, a frequent visitor to all 50 US states and a popular travel content creator, has shared her top five underrated national parks for fall foliage. Blodgett, who has been to 35 national parks, prefers parks with stunning views and epic hikes, but also enjoys leaf-peeping in the fall.

North Cascades National Park in Washington is one such under-the-radar park, with its 505,000-acre size and pristine glacial lakes. While many beautiful spots are deep in the backcountry, there are also stunning vistas like the Diablo Lake Overlook. Peak fall colors in this park are seen from late September to mid-October. Larch trees turn gold, and aspens, mountain ash, and vine maples add pops of color.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, America's deepest lake, is another top pick. Blodgett recommends spending at least two days exploring its Rim Drive and other areas. While the park is typically well-visited, its winter snowfall makes it a unique and beautiful sight. Peak fall colors are seen from mid-September to early November, with aspen, cottonwood, willow, and dogwood trees providing bursts of color.

Capitol Reef National Park in Utah offers red-rock canyons and epic sights. Blodgett suggests spending a good amount of time exploring Byway 12 and hiking trails like Hickman Bridge or Capitol Gorge Wash. Trees change from yellow to red in early October, with aspens, cottonwoods, and box elder trees adding to the fall colors.

Finally, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is a lesser-known but beautiful option. Blodgett suggests checking out River Bend Overlook and hiking nearby trails. Peak fall colors occur from early October to mid-November, with aspens, cottonwoods, and box elder trees turning vibrant shades of gold.