WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With the Autumn season in full swing, the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, announced the 2011 “Great National Parks for Fall Foliage” list. This year’s list includes some iconic parks and a few lesser-known treasures. Each national park location, however, offers unique ways in which visitors can view the colorful foliage. Whether by water, foot, bicycle or car, these dramatic colors of the season are not to be missed.

Many factors impact the timing of peak fall colors viewing, therefore, foliage seekers are encouraged to contact specific parks for the inside scoop on their unique foliage timing. The National Park Service website contains contact information and special event listings for all 395 national park units.

This year’s list, and the optimal times for foliage viewing, includes:

CALIFORNIA
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Peak colors expected middle to end of October. On October 18, a hiking event to Whiskeytown Falls offer a perfect way to view the foliage during the peak season.

COLORADO
Curecanti National Recreational Area

Peak colors begin in late September and run through the end of October.

MISSISSIPPI
Natchez Trace Parkway

In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors.

MONTANA
Glacier National Park

The bright yellow and gold colors on the aspen and larch trees run through mid-October covering the trails around the park, but particularly along Summit Trail. For more information on the best trails to see colors or view photos of the fall colors, visit Glacier’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/glaciernationalpark.

PENNSYLVANIA

Flight 93 National Memorial
The trees across the Flight 93 National Memorial begin to turn around mid-October. Check out honorflight93.org/webcam today to find instant inspiration for a trip to the site or to take a virtual fall foliage tour.

TENNESSEE
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
The Great Smokey Mountains boast over 130 different tree species, many of which produce breathtaking Autumnal colors. Peak foliage viewing depends greatly on the various levels of elevation found within the park, but overall, the Smokies’ foliage shows run from late September through October.

UTAH
Zion National Park

Peak foliage colors appear at the end of October and into the first few days of November.

VIRGINIA
Shenandoah National Park

Peak colors in the upper elevations begin early to mid-October with lower elevations peaking at the end of October into November.

VERMONT
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Rich with sugar maples and 400-year-old hemlocks, this site boasts outstanding fall foliage each year. This year’s prime viewing is expected from mid-October through early November.

WISCONSIN
Apostles Islands National Lakeshore

Peak foliage viewing various depending on inland or coastal location, however the foliage show runs from late September through October. Additionally, many bird species are migrating through the park right now, so foliage seekers get an extra show from Mother Nature.

These are only a few of the exceptional national parks from which to take in the changing of the seasons. To find out more about what is happening in the national parks and for ways to support these American treasures, please visit www.nationalparks.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites – all protected in America’s nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us at www.nationalparks.org .