Most Scenic SUP Spots for Fall Foliage in the US

One of our favorite things about the stand up paddle board (SUP) community is its universality. Practically everywhere in the world—Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and just about anywhere else—there is a group of SUP enthusiasts somewhere in the area. Whether they’re casual or serious SUP-ers, you can bet that they’re always looking forward to their next paddle. What’s more, this is especially true in a wonderfully picturesque season like fall. While countless corners of the world will be absolutely bountiful with beautiful fall foliage, many US citizens do not need to travel far for such a scintillating seasonal display; or, even if they do, the views will be well worth the journey. Now, with all of that in mind, this is our list of the most scenic SUP spots for fall foliage in the US.

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Acadia National Park

Mostly located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre national park that’s positively perfect for fall SUP sessions. In addition to its phenomenal forests and majestic mountains, one will find crystal-clear ocean waters, as the park runs along the Atlantic coast of Maine. In short, whether you want to go hiking, SUP-ing, camping, or all of the above, this is a pristine place for all of it and so much more. Furthermore, as for its exact location, Acadia National Park is approximately 160 miles from Portland, Maine as well as 50 miles from Bangor, Maine. To learn more about the park, as well as everything you need to know before visiting, click here.

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is a crystal-clear alpine lake that offers stunning views of fall foliage. The lake is surrounded by towering pines, aspens, and fir trees, which turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall.

Paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe is a great way to experience the fall foliage from a unique perspective. You can glide through the calm waters and admire the changing colors of the leaves on the surrounding mountains. Some popular spots for paddleboarding on Lake Tahoe include Sand Harbor, Kings Beach, and Tahoe City.

If you’re looking for a truly memorable fall paddleboarding experience, consider renting a paddleboard and exploring the Emerald Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This secluded cove is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, osprey, and herons.

Lake Chelan, Washington

Lake Chelan is a long, narrow lake that winds its way through the Cascade Mountains. The lake is surrounded by towering peaks and forests, and the fall foliage is simply breathtaking.

Paddleboarding on Lake Chelan is a great way to experience the fall foliage from a different perspective. Some popular spots for paddleboarding on Lake Chelan include Stehekin Landing, Lucerne State Park, and Chelan Falls.

If you’re looking for a challenging paddleboarding experience, consider paddling to Stehekin, a remote village at the head of Lake Chelan. The paddle takes about four hours, but it’s worth it for the stunning views and the chance to experience the unique culture of Stehekin.

Lake Michigan

Although we love all of the Great Lakes equally, we think Lake Michigan might just be the most beautiful of all, especially in the fall. When you choose to visit Lake Michigan, this gives you four fantastic states to launch from, visit, etc: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Naturally, all of them have their own unique autumn attractions; so, in other words, you simply can’t go wrong. Whether you want to visit a major city like Chicago or simply go wherever the waters might take you, you’re sure to see some lovely scenery in every section of Lake Michigan’s gorgeous shores. 

Seattle

While Acadia National Park is our undisputed pick on the East Coast, Seattle is our standout choice for the West Coast. For starters, more than 40 percent of the greater Seattle area is covered in water; seriously, just take a moment to think about that statistic; that’s almost half the city and its surrounding areas! Suffice it to say, there is no shortage of SUP-ing opportunities in Seattle. As a matter of fact, we’ve already highlighted all of our favorite Seattle SUP spots in a separate blog, Best Places to Go Paddle Boarding in the Seattle Area. Furthermore, when you factor in the extensive variety of regional trees—including rarer species such as Mountain Silverbells, Japanese Maples, and Scarlet Oaks—Seattle is truly home to one of the most beautiful Autumn seasons in the entire world. Then, when you add unparalleled paddling destinations, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

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Contact Our Team at Atoll Boards

We hope you enjoyed learning more about the most scenic SUP spots for fall foliage in the US. Need a new board before you set off on your next adventure? Consider taking a moment to check out our signature Atoll Boards. Whatever your paddling style may be—casual, serious, or anywhere in between—our inflatable SUPs (iSUPs) are sure to serve you well. For more information about our eponymous iSUPs, the most scenic SUP spots for fall foliage in the US, or anything else, please feel free to contact our team at Atoll Boards. To get in touch, all are welcome to give us a call at 877-698-8581, send an email to customerservice@atollboards.com, or, in the case of prospective partners, relay any business inquiries to sales@atollboards.com. In any case, we would be more than happy to help you in any we can. Until then!