Autumn blazes in these off-the-beaten-path locations

Tennessee River Gorge, Tennessee - peak season Mid October to early November.

The Tennessee River Gorge is considered Tennessee's Grand Canyon as it snakes its way through the Cumberland Mountains. Three different types of forests add to the bright colors where you'll find bald eagles, ospreys, blue herons, belted kingfishers and wild turkeys.

Moab, Utah - peak season September to mid October.

Fall colors and the season's angled sunlight make Moab's sandstone shine as the aspens, cottonwoods and other deciduous trees make the slow turn to brilliance.

Charlottesville, Virginia - peak season mid to late October.

At peak color, the foliage accentuates the rolling hills and Blue Ridge Mountains with dazzling reds, yellows and oranges. Get a breathtaking view over the surrounding forest above the city to Monticello.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin - peak season late September to late October.

Drive the three-mile Snake Road through the trees, take a hot air balloon ride, enjoy the leaves from the lake or go ziplining through the forest canopy.

Taos, New Mexico - peak season late September to mid October.

The yellows and reds against the mountains and dunes are a sight not to be missed. Maples, oaks, beech and aspen trees light up the Southern Rockies.

Mammoth Lakes, California - peak season mid September to mid October.

Aspens are the most prevalent trees on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, but cottonwoods and willows also blanket the region in red, yellow and orange.

The Ozarks, Arkansas and Missouri - peak season late October to early November.

The Ozark National Forest has two peak leaf viewing times; false peak in mid-October and true peak in late October because the forest sits in three temperate zones. False peak has the most varied color, but to see the entire forest ablaze with slightly fewer hues, go during true peak.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon - peak season during October and November

Mount Hood becomes a symphony of fall colors that are perfect for hiking, biking and taking the most beautiful pictures.