Oregon region lands on list of most ‘unexpected’ places to see fall foliage in the U.S.

It’s no secret that Oregon is an autumnal wonderland, with fall color bursting in waterfall-filled canyons, mountain lakes and scenic drives around the state, but it seems that not everybody is in the know.

National Geographic recently included one Oregon region in its list of the most unexpected places to see fall foliage in the U.S., naming nine “under-the-radar places” to do some leaf peeping this season.

As the article pointed out, millions of people flock to New England every fall specifically to see the spectacle of fall color and all the accompanying accoutrements (what’s leaf peeping without hot apple cider?), but that region is far from the only place in the country to appreciate fall foliage.

While Oregon is famous for its forests of evergreens, there is certainly no shortage of deciduous trees that turn vibrant shades of yellow, red and orange. The best place in the state to see that fall color, according to National Geographic, might just be southern Oregon.

“Oregon’s foliage differs significantly from the rest of the country,” the article says, going on to quote Jim Remley, the owner of a KOA campground in Central Point, about “fall colors set against dramatic mountain landscapes, a wild and scenic river and even a volcanic national park.”

Places in southern Oregon that National Geographic recommends (by way of Remley) include Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, and the towns of Jacksonville and Ashland.

The article hails the region for its “canyons and valleys punctuated by bursts of color” and the “tree-lined streets that turn yellow and red in fall.”

It’s hard to argue with the inclusion of southern Oregon, a place of truly stunning natural scenery year-round. If you’re on a fall foliage journey through the region, you should also try the beautiful Applegate Valley wine country or Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, where you can kayak through crystal-clear waters beside radiant fall color.

The most “unexpected” place to see fall color in Oregon might be the canyons of Steens Mountain in the southeast corner of the state, where huge stands of aspen trees fill the high desert landscape with color.

If you’re planning a fall color tour through the state, be sure to check in on the most up-to-date fall foliage maps, which show when and where to find peak color.