MISSISSIPPI — Two Mississippi overlooks have been named among the nation’s most stunning fall views in a new national travel survey.
The Red Bluff Overlook near Foxworth and Natchez Bluff Park Overlook in Natchez both earned spots on a list compiled by the travel company Exoticca, which surveyed 3,012 travelers about their favorite places to experience fall color across the United States.
Red Bluff Overlook, ranked No. 105 nationally, is often called Mississippi’s Little Grand Canyon. The dramatic red clay cliffs, carved by years of erosion, contrast sharply with the orange and yellow hardwoods that line the rim each October, creating one of the state’s most distinctive natural views.
The Natchez Bluff Park Overlook, ranked No. 124, offers a sweeping panorama of the Mississippi River winding below the historic city. In autumn, the riverbanks light up with cottonwoods and maples, while the bluffs above glow with shades of amber and bronze.
The Exoticca survey highlights not only famous fall destinations like Vermont and Colorado, but also hidden gems across the South and Midwest. The company said it wanted to capture how travelers personally experience the season.
“Fall is one of the most visually stunning times to travel across the U.S.,” said Juanjo Duran, Exoticca’s chief marketing officer. “What’s striking is how personal the experience of autumn is – for some, it’s about quiet mountain overlooks, while for others, it’s the burst of color around a lakeside trail.”
The survey’s top 10 national viewpoints showcase a cross-country mix of mountain, forest and lakeside landscapes:
- Overlook Mountain, Catskills (Woodstock, N.Y.) – A fire tower and cliffside viewpoints offer sweeping views of the Catskills’ hardwood forests each October.
- Newfound Gap Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn. – A roadside overlook straddling the Tennessee–North Carolina border, offering panoramic mountain color.
- Seneca Rocks Observation Platform, Monongahela National Forest, W.Va. – A vantage over the North Fork River Valley framed by blazing hardwoods.
- Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, Calif. – Iconic views of Half Dome and the Merced River Valley highlighted by autumn foliage.
- Mount Mansfield Summit Overlook, Stowe, Vt. – Vermont’s highest peak offers a sweeping view of the Green Mountains blanketed in fall hues.
- Stony Man Overlook, Skyline Drive, Va. – A Shenandoah Valley lookout where ridgelines ripple with color in every direction.
- Maroon Lake Overlook, Maroon Bells Scenic Area (Aspen, Colo.) – A lakeside view where golden aspens reflect off the water beneath snow-capped peaks.
- Buzzard’s Roost Overlook, Cherokee National Forest, Tenn. – A steep hike rewards visitors with sweeping mountain vistas.
- Black Mountain Overlook, Harlan County, Ky. – Kentucky’s highest point provides panoramic views of rolling fall ridges.
- Big Pocono Overlook, Big Pocono State Park, Pa. – A high point above Camelback Mountain offering views across three states.
Mississippi’s inclusion among these fall destinations underscores the state’s growing appeal for outdoor and scenic travel. Both overlooks, one carved by nature’s power, the other overlooking the nation’s most storied river, offer a reminder that autumn color is both unique and universal.
The full list and infographic of the top U.S. fall foliage destinations can be found at Exoticca.com.
