One Of America's Least-Visited National Parks Has Hiking Trails With Pretty Fall Foliage

If you're in search of the perfect autumn destination where you can enjoy stunning scenery and fall foliage, Nevada's Great Basin National Park should definitely be on your bucket list. It's one of the least-visited and most underrated national parks out West and a beautiful place to enjoy nature's colorful show.

Fall is a wonderful time to travel around the United States. While there are a few places that stay warm throughout the year, most of the country experiences four distinct seasons. As the temperatures begin to drop around the autumn equinox the lush deciduous forests explode with color. As you wander along a forest path in September or October, you'll be surrounded by leaves in shades like sunshine yellow, brightest crimson, and burnt orange.

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts love visiting America's national parks during the autumn months. Destinations in the eastern part of the United States usually get most of the hype when it comes to leaf-peeing and many parks become super crowded during the fall. If you want fall colors without the crowds, Great Basin National Park in Nevada is the place to go.

Forests and fall foliage aren't usually among the top reasons most tourists visit the state of Nevada. It's most well-known for its rugged desert landscapes and lively nightlife. The sparkling city of Las Vegas, known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, is one of the best places to visit if you love to party. The desert surrounding Las Vegas is home to Red Rock Canyon, a top destination for rock climbing. Both destinations receive millions of visitors each year. Great Basin National Park, located in eastern Nevada near the Utah border, only receives about 140,000 visitors annually, so it's ideal for travelers who hope to avoid big crowds. 

Some of the most popular national parks for leaf peeping attract massive crowds during the autumn months. The traffic and the trails can take away from the natural beauty, but at Great Basin National Park, you'll likely be able to find moments of solitude on the trails. The Baker's Creek Loop is a wonderful 3.4-mile hiking trail where you can see some of the best fall colors. Walking along Snake Creek on the Shoshone Trail will provide you with gorgeous views of bright yellow cottonwood trees. If you don't feel like hiking, Wheeler's Park Scenic Drive is a gorgeous 12-mile route through groves of aspen trees.

Autumn is also one of the best times to enjoy stargazing in Great Basin National Park. The sun sets early, the nights are long, and the park has some of the darkest skies in the country. It's even been named an International Dark Sky Park due to the lack of light pollution.

The best time to visit Great Basin National Park to see the fall foliage is from mid-September to mid-October. After mid-October, parts of the park start to close for the season, and by early November, there may be heavy snowfall. 

 One of the reasons Great Basin National Park isn't more popular is that getting there requires some effort. It's located in a remote part of the state and you'll have to drive close to four hours from the nearest major airport. Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah is about 230 miles away, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is just under 300 miles away. There are no public transportation options that go to the park, so you'll have to rent a car and drive. Car rentals cost about $50 a day in Las Vegas and $20 a day in Salt Lake City.

Since Great Basin National Park is located in such a remote area, there aren't a ton of places to stay. You'll find five campgrounds within the park itself. They tend to fill up on weekends and holidays during peak tourist season, so you'll need to make a reservation in advance on the Recreation.gov website. The cost per campsite is $20 per night. Great Basin National Park also allows dispersed camping if you're interested in a wild camping excursion. The town of Baker has a few places to stay with rooms starting at around $140 per night. It's about five miles from the park.