The color moves
south by 12 miles
each day.
Peak foliage in the Northern Highlands arrives around the last week of September — sugar maples turn first, followed by aspens and birches. By mid-October the color front reaches the River Valley, and the Southern Foothills blaze through early November. The sweet spot: drive Route 22 north on October 5th and you'll catch three color zones in a single tank of gas.
Northern Highlands
Sep 28 – Oct 12
River Valley Corridor
Oct 10 – Oct 24
Southern Foothills
Oct 18 – Nov 2
Sleep under the
open canopy.
Dispersed camping is legal on most National Forest land in the state — no reservations, no fees, no crowds. The rule: camp at least 200 feet from water, 300 feet from trails. These three sites are ranger-recommended and consistently uncrowded even on holiday weekends.
Ridgeline Flats
22 mi from Millhaven
No permit required. 14-day max stay. Pit toilets, no water.
DispersedColdwater Basin
41 mi from Millhaven
Creek access. Bear canister required May–Oct.
DispersedSpruce Bench Primitive
18 mi from Hartley
Iron fire rings, no hookups. First-come, first-served.
Primitive
Cold, clear, and
worth the detour.
All three are within 55 minutes of the state capital, accessible by passenger car, and free to visit. Water temperatures run 58–68°F through peak summer — cold enough to feel earned.
Devil's Elbow Pool
38 min from capital
Depth
12 ft deep
Season
Jun – Sep
Easy — 0.4 mi walk from pullout
Oxbow Cascade
52 min from capital
Depth
8 ft deep
Season
Jul – Aug
Moderate — 1.2 mi, river crossing
Millstone Flats
44 min from capital
Depth
6–15 ft
Season
Jun – Oct
Easy — roadside pullout, 200 ft walk
All within 55 minutes.
The state's best swimming holes cluster in a loose arc northeast of the capital — close enough for a day trip, far enough to feel remote. Each one sits inside National Forest land with no entry fee.
Roads that make
the destination
irrelevant.
Plan This Drive
Route 22 Ridge Loop
Three color zones in October, two fire lookout towers, one historic covered bridge.
Canyon Rim Byway
61 miles · 1.5 hrs driving
Seven canyon overlooks, free dispersed camping at mile 34, no cell service after mile 20.
Glacier Lake Circuit
78 miles · 2 hrs driving
Passes four alpine lakes. Snowcapped peaks visible July–September. Best at dawn.
44.8°N · 116.2°W
Canyon Rim at mile marker 34
Bring the dog.
The trail won't mind.
Most National Forest trails in the state welcome leashed dogs year-round. Four trails permit off-leash in designated zones — look for the blue diamond blaze markers. Pack out waste, carry extra water (dogs need roughly 8 oz per mile in summer), and avoid trails with steep talus above 7,000 ft — paw pads on hot rock is a real concern in August.
Elkhorn Ridge Trail
RequiredOn-leash required. Water at mile 2.4. No fee.
Fern Creek Loop
FlexibleOff-leash permitted in designated sections. Seasonal creek.
High Meadow Path
Required above treelineDogs must be leashed above treeline. Exposed ridge — check weather.
Millstone Flats Trail
Off-leash OK at waterConnects to the swimming hole. Dogs can swim. Very popular on weekends.
Dog-friendly trails in state
247+
Off-leash zones
38