A Season of Pause and Color
Every fall, when the mornings turn crisp and the light shifts golden, my family piles into the car and heads into the Cascades. It’s our tradition. We drive east from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, chasing maples, aspens, and firs lit up like fire. At Tipsoo Lake on the Chinook Scenic Byway, my youngest once asked, “Do the trees dress up just for us?” That question comes back to me every year as the seasons change.
For military families and veterans, trips like this are more than a way to pass the weekend. They’re a pause button, a reset after long shifts, early alarms, or the strain of deployment. And this fall, forecasts point to a colorful season across the country. Here’s a look at when the leaves are expected to peak, and one scenic drive per region that military families can enjoy close to base.
Why Leaves Change
The timing and vibrancy of fall color come down to three things: daylight, temperature, and rainfall. Shorter days signal trees to pull back on chlorophyll, revealing the reds, oranges, and golds beneath. Warm, sunny days followed by cool, crisp nights usually produce the brightest displays. Too much heat or rain, and leaves fade quickly. Too much wind or an early frost, and they fall before you can plan a trip.
That’s why forecasts matter. They give families a window of when to hit the road and where to go — especially important for service members with limited time off.
Fall Foliage by Region in 2025
Region | Peak Timing (2025 forecast) | Highlight Drive | Bases Nearby | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Northwest | High elevations late Sept–early Oct; lowlands mid-Oct | Chinook Scenic Byway, WA | JBLM, Naval Base Kitsap, Whidbey Island, Fairchild AFB | Rising from Enumclaw toward Mount Rainier, this road winds past rivers, alpine lakes, and forests. It’s an easy day trip with plenty of pullouts for photos and short hikes. Snow sometimes comes early, so check pass status before heading out. |
New England | Late Sept–mid Oct (earlier in northern zones) | Kancamagus Highway, NH | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Hanscom AFB, Coast Guard units across the region | Known simply as “the Kanc,” this 34-mile stretch cuts through the White Mountain National Forest. Maples turn scarlet, ridges glow orange, and covered bridges add charm. Base families can make it a loop with nearby villages for cider stops. |
Midwest / Great Lakes | Mid–late Oct | Lake Superior Circle Tour, MN/WI/MI | Camp Ripley, Great Lakes Naval Station | This 1,300-mile loop can be broken into smaller segments, hugging the shoreline through birch, maple, and aspen. Service members often use it for long weekends, stopping at waterfalls and small harbor towns along the way. |
Mid-Atlantic | Early–mid Oct in highlands; late Oct in valleys | Skyline Drive, VA (Shenandoah NP) | Fort Belvoir, Quantico, Norfolk Naval Base | With more than 70 overlooks, Skyline Drive offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Military families based near D.C. can make it a one-day escape or pair it with a weekend in Shenandoah. |
Southeast | Late Oct–early Nov | Blue Ridge Parkway, NC/VA | Fort Bragg, Camp Lejeune, MCAS Cherry Point | Stretching nearly 500 miles, the Parkway is a national treasure. In fall, hardwoods blanket the slopes in waves of red and gold. Families often drive a section near Asheville or Boone, pairing it with hikes or cabin rentals. |
Rockies / Mountain West | Late Sept–early Oct at elevation; valleys early–mid Oct | Peak to Peak Highway, CO | Fort Carson, Buckley SFB, Peterson SFB | Colorado’s aspen groves turn brilliant gold against snowy peaks. The route runs north from Estes Park to Black Hawk, dotted with historic mining towns and picnic areas. At just under 60 miles, it’s a perfect day trip. |
Southwest / Desert | Late Oct–early Nov | Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, AZ | Davis-Monthan AFB, Luke AFB, Fort Huachuca | In less than an hour, drivers climb from desert saguaro cactus to mountain aspens. The byway’s switchbacks reveal new views at every turn, and the small town of Summerhaven makes for a cozy stop. |
Tips for Military Families
- Check road conditions: Passes in the Cascades, Rockies, and Appalachians can close suddenly with snow.
- Avoid the rush: Early mornings or weekdays mean lighter traffic and better light for photos.
- Pack smart: Bring snacks, layers, and extra fuel, some byways have long stretches without services.
- Think in layers: If high elevations are past peak, try the foothills. If valleys are still green, head higher.
- Make it social: Invite a new family from base or use it as a welcome trip for someone fresh off deployment.
For more ways to enjoy the outdoors, see Military.com’s guide to affordable recreation and tips for balancing base life with travel.
Why It Matters
For those in uniform, fall drives aren’t just about scenery. They’re a reminder that seasons keep turning, duty stations rotate, and there’s always something ahead. Whether you’re rolling along Skyline Drive in Virginia, cruising the Kancamagus in New Hampshire, or climbing Mt. Lemmon in Arizona, the message is the same: pause, look, connect.
My family still makes our yearly run into the Cascades. Every trip feels different — sometimes clear, sometimes misty — but the ritual grounds us. For military families everywhere, the leaves are a chance to step away from the noise and into a season that shows just how much beauty sits right outside the gate.
