11 fiery shots of fall foliage around the US

Where there are deciduous trees, there will likely be flame-colored leaves come autumn. Sure, the maples, oaks, sweetgums, and hickories in the Northeast net the most attention during fall foliage season, but there’s a certain poetry in the stately yellows and oranges of the quaking aspens, cottonwoods, and birches out West. In the South, a seasonal flush hits the hardwood trees dotting river deltas and wetlands. And in the far north, hardy tundra shrubs and wildflowers darken to jewel-like hues as they prepare for a blistering winter. Only Hawaii seems to miss the wave of colorful changes, though non-native plants might add a splash of crispness.

[Related: 9 native grasses that will revitalize your sad, water-wasting lawn]

So, as an ode to the sweet autumn air and last leaves of the year, let’s take a tour across the US to see some of the brilliance that our national parks, military bases, and other public lands have to offer.