The Best National Parks For Seeing Spectacular Fall Foliage This Year

By Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse As autumn starts to settle over the U. S., plenty of leaf-peepers are eagerly awaiting the annual show of Mother Nature’s splendor — that is, leaves turning to brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red. But, understanding precisely where and when this phenomenon will reach its peak vibrancy in various areas of the country takes more than just guesswork. For those keen to witness the trees’ colorful transformation, national parks are always popular because where better to view the changing of the seasons than places where forests are preserved and protected?

Just in time for Halloween, Estes Park’s Stanley Hotel will host a horror-themed weekend that includes interactive events and screenings of a new series from Peacock and Blumhouse Productions. Blumhouse, the company behind frightening films such as “Get Out,” “Sinister” and “M3GAN,” is turning the historic hotel into an immersive experience, according to a statement.

Steer, steer on the wall; what’s the cowboyiest state of them all? Here in Colorado, we pride ourselves on our cowtown, Wild West heritage, but are we actually out there working the land in our Wranglers, or just strutting our stuff at the Grizzly Rose in our Rockmounts? If the cowboy spirit is all self-reliance and hard work, where do hipsters and $10k-a-month apartments fit in? In movies, cowboys look like the gunslinging John Wayne, the sometimes morally dubious “hero” battling it out with Native Americans and outlaws.

Fall leaves in Smith Lake at Washington Park on Oct. 21, 2019 in Denver. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) Look beyond Colorado’s shimmering yellow aspen trees for wonderful leaf-peeping this fall. Adam Moore, the supervisory forester at the Colorado State Forest Service’s Alamosa field office, emphasized that leaf-peeping is not limited to the mountains. “There are trees and shrubs other than aspens that create brilliant colors,” he said. In addition to the trees in the high country, take the time to peer into the canyons or explore the streams and riverbanks to see brilliant yellows and reds. Rather than looking at fall foliage while sitting in mountain traffic, you could plan a hike, a river float, or a paddle adventure instead. Or, if you want to stick closer to home, explore the urban forests in Denver or Colorado Springs. “Some cities have the best fall foliage,” Moore said. Beyond the aspen In Colorado, there are other plant options and colors to consider. Here’s where to look: Ponderosa pine stands: If you see colors in Ponderosa pines, they most often are gambel oaks, which turn orange, red and off-yellow. River or stream banks: Narrowleaf cottonwoods turn yellow; Great Plains cottonwoods turn bright yellow; golden willows turn golden yellow; and wax currant and golden currant shrubs turn orange to reddish. Bushes and shrubs: Rocky Mountain sumac shrubs turn brilliant red; chokecherry bushes turn blood red; caragana multi-stemmed bushes turn yellow or red; and wild rose shrubs turn yellow or brilliant red.

So you’ve packed the RV with road trip essentials and your kids’ favorite snacks for the drive. Where to? Well, if you really want to wow the little ones, head to Salida. That advice comes courtesy of RV Trader, which recently culled a list of five RVing destinations that will “blow your kids’ minds.” The site offers RV reviews and shopping advice, and features a commerce platform with vehicles for sale. Related Articles Outdoors | You’ll have to pay to ski or snowshoe at Brainard Lake this winter Outdoors | These 9 flatter Front Range hikes offer a workout, too Outdoors | It’s official: You’ll soon need a permit to hike, camp at Colorado’s popular Blue Lakes Outdoors | Injured hiker rescued near Aspen Outdoors | Colorado fall colors map: County-by-county leaf-peeping predictions According to story author and mom of two Olivia de Soria, Salida offers all the activities an RVing family could want in surplus, from biking trails and trout fishing to historical tours and wildlife. “We saw more wildlife here than anywhere else.

Denver sound artist Jim Green, whose best-known public art includes a playful installation under a block of Denver’s Curtis Street and the train calls at Denver International Airport, died on Wednesday in Florida at age 75. Green was a prolific and highly collaborative artist, friends and colleagues said, pushing the boundaries of art with playful, subversive pieces that surprised and delighted anyone who encountered them. Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostTravelers who ride the train at Denver International Airport — and that’s most of them — have for decades heard artist Jim Green’s work “Train Call,” which features playful sounds and recognizable voices.