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

Alexandra Blodgett is pictured at Maroon Bells in Colorado.

Alexandra Blodgett Alexandra Blodgett has been to dozens of national parks in the US .

She prefers parks with stunning views and epic hikes but also loves leaf-peeping in the fall.

She thinks North Cascades National Park in Washington is an underrated fall foliage site.

With crisp mornings already creeping in across some states, fall is on its way.

Visiting national parks to see the season's colors, or "leaf peeping," is a popular pastime and gives a major boost to some states' economies.

An analysis by Appalachian State University estimated that fall-foliage tourism contributes more than $30 billion annually to local economies across 24 eastern states.

Alexandra Blodgett understands the appeal.

The travel content creator spoke to Business Insider in 2024 about her favorite national parks — at that time, she had been to 35, as well as every state in the US.

While she's enjoyed a myriad of experiences, from hiking scenic trails to basking in stunning views from cliff tops, she said her favorite, by far, is watching national parks undergo their annual autumnal transformation.

"I'm pretty focused on outdoor natural beauty," Blodgett, who has spent years traveling in an RV with her husband, told Business Insider.

If you plan on hitting the road to catch the fall foliage — usually visible from late September in northern states before moving south throughout October and into November — Blodgett has a few under-the-radar and chilled-out spots to recommend.

Here are her five favorite national parks to visit in the fall.

North Cascades National Park in Washington Autumn sunrise at Whatcom Pass, North Cascades National Park, Washington.