The Best Small Towns In Kentucky To Catch Fall Foliage

While northern states like Vermont see fall foliage anywhere from September to October, Kentucky is perfect for leaf peepers traveling later in the season. Thanks to its southern setting, the Bluegrass State sees its brightest leaves as late as November, leaving plenty of time to plan the perfect foliage getaway. Whether driving a scenic byway, hiking a lush gorge, or riding a sky lift high above a forested hillside, Kentucky’s fall hues are a work of art. With that being said, here are the best small towns in Kentucky to catch fall foliage in 2025.

Slade

Another tiny town with a colossal backyard, Slade is absolutely stunning in the fall, granting access to the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Set in Daniel Boone National Forest, the area and park offer some of the best rock climbing and hiking in the country. Plus, with cooler autumn temperatures, recreation is not only more comfortable but also rewards visitors with beautiful fall foliage. Similar to Clermont, this Powell County community will see its brightest trees from late October to early November in 2025.

For sweeping views of the Red River Gorge, consider hiking the 4.2-mile Auxier Ridge Trail. This forest path winds along a sandstone ridge, offering dramatic clifftop views of the tree-lined hills below. At Natural Bridge State Resort Park, the Natural Bridge Rock Arch is another striking point of interest. A Sky Lift Gondola is available through the last weekend in October, offering a scenic half-mile ascent. From your dropoff, you can then hike to the Natural Bridge, a stupefying stone arch framed by amber trees.

Clermont

Home to Kentucky's Official State Arboretum, Clermont may be small, but this tiny town is big on autumn fun. Boasting more than 8,000 varieties of trees, Bernheim Forest and Arboretum explodes with red, yellow, and orange in the fall, with tons of ways to breathe in its scenes. The Bernheim Canopy Tree Walk is a local favorite, inviting visitors to stroll at leaf-level, 75 feet above the forest floor. From April through October, guests can also climb the 961-foot Fire Tower for a bird’s-eye view of the landscape.

If heights are not your thing, there are plenty of ground-level activities as well, including the 17-acre nature-centered “Playcosystem” playground. Visitors of all ages also get a kick out of Forest Giants Trail, a tree-shaded route with three smiling giants, sculpted from natural materials. In terms of the best time to see Bernheim’s fall hues, ExploreFall’s 2025 Foliage Map estimates Clermont’s leaves will peak from late October to early November. This timing is perfectly aligned with Bernheim’s ColorFest, taking place November 1st and 2nd, 2025. With a backdrop of vivid trees, attendees can enjoy other fun fall activities like a Pumpkin Roll, Corn Pit, and Art & Craft Vendors.

Corbin

Corbin is another town bounded by Daniel Boone National Forest, serving as a gateway to Kentucky’s majestic “Niagara of the South.” Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is anchored by its namesake wonder, a 125-foot curtain cascade enclosed in a rocky gorge. While spectacular in itself, Cumberland Falls feels even more magical in the fall, its hillsides brightened with butterscotch, cherry, and honey-hued trees. Like Clermont and Slade, late October to early November is the best time to see these colors in full force.

For a more serene route, autumn colors are equally vibrant on the Eagle Falls Trail. Lacing through a grove of oaks and sugar maples, the 1.5-mile path leads hikers to the small yet striking Eagle Falls cascade. The hike can then be extended for more breathtaking views of the Cumberland River and its main waterfall, offering a panoramic perspective. Additionally, fall is an enchanting time to see Cumberland’s rare “moonbows.” These faint lunar rainbows are formed by moonlight reflecting off mist from the falls, and Cumberland is one of the few places in the world that produces them regularly. While predictions are approximate, October and November predictions show a moonbow will appear from the 4th to 8th and 3rd to 7th, 2025.

Cave City

While most associate Cave City with its underground labyrinths, there is also plenty of beauty aboveground in the fall. One of the closest towns to Mammoth Cave National Park, Cave City grants access to its spellbinding landscape. While cave tours are currently closed due to a lapse in government funding, the park’s hiking trails are beautiful in the fall and easier to explore with milder temperatures. The National Park website also recommends early fall as a great time to kayak or canoe the Green River before it gets too cold.

Although select trails are temporarily closed for a Rehabilitation Project, all 60-plus miles of backcountry trails remain open, as well as certain South Side routes. The Green River Bluffs Overlook is especially popular this time of year, showcasing the winding waterway and its tree-studded hillsides. For more seclusion, the Miles-Davis Cemetery Trail is another picturesque forest path, leading to a tucked-away historic cemetery. Bear in mind, estimates show that Cave City’s trees will see high color in late October, but peak vibrancy will come later in early November.

Grand Rivers

Grand Rivers, a "Gateway to Land Between The Lakes", is renowned for its autumn foliage and waterfront scenes. Encompassing 170,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and wide open land, this Western Kentucky wilderness is as vast as it is breathtaking. With foliage estimates showing a peak color window from early to mid-November, this is the best time to drive routes like the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway. Departing from Grand Rivers on the ridge of land between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, fiery foliage will brighten both sides of your drive.

For views beyond your car, hiking paths like the Canal Loop Trail are sensational in the fall. Departing from Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive, hikers can trek the full 11-mile loop or explore its shorter routes. Highlights include overlooks above Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and the man-made canal that connects them, illuminated with golden leaves overhead and underfoot. Afterward, the Elk and Bison Prairie is another must for those visiting the Land Between the Lakes this fall. While foliage is not the focus of this free-roaming elk and bison enclosure, fall is when visitors can encounter the elk’s unique mating call.

Stearns

While Appalachia is stunning year-round, autumn is when the region shines brightest in Kentucky towns like Stearns, home of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Originally used for the area’s coal and logging industries, today the railway specializes in leisure, hosting scenic train rides through the countryside. With estimates showing Stearn’s peak foliage in late October 2025, there is no better time to hop aboard a Fall Color Run at the historic Stearns depot.

Offered from October through November, the Railway’s 3-hour Fall Color Runs allow guests to experience the nostalgia of an open-air train, paired with all the relaxing sights and smells of autumn. Journeying 16 miles through a forested gorge, the Big South Fork landscape is ablaze with fiery colors in the fall. The outbound portion of the trip ends with an hour and a half to explore the Blue Heron Coal Mining Camp before hopping back on board to travel home to Stearns. Train tickets also come with admission to the McCreary County Museum in Stearns, a charming follow-up or prelude to your foliage excursion.

Discover Kentucky’s Best Towns To See Fall Foliage

New England may be famous for its fall foliage, but Kentucky’s autumn hues are among the most underrated in the world. Paired with remarkable landmarks, from Clermont’s Forest Giants to Slade’s Natural Bridge, the state’s forests and groves stand out that much more. Better yet, the Bluegrass State has so many different ways to embrace the season’s wonders. Whether hiking Mammoth Cave National Park, driving the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway from Grand Rivers, or hopping aboard the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in Stearns, the season’s splendor stretches through every corner of Kentucky.