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1. Yosemite, California

Why Now: Summer’s sweltering temps turn blissfully mild here in October, or “Rocktober,” as climbers sometimes refer to it. The cooler, dry conditions are just right for scaling the park’s world-famous granite walls. Warm days (which can see temperatures from the high sixties to the low eighties) also make hiking idyllic, and crisp nights (from the fifties to the low thirties) allow for comfortable camping.

Fall is a photographer’s dream as well. Yes, most of the trees are evergreens, but the aspens in the high country on Tioga Road and across Tuolumne Meadows turn golden, and the maples in the Valley and around Yosemite Chapel glow a brilliant red. Cloud formations soften the light for optimal shooting at midday, not just twilight. The waterfalls will be trickling rather than gushing the way they do in spring, but you still have a strong chance of spotting the park’s iconic black bears—and even better hopes of seeing mule deer, coyotes, and bighorn sheep.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: has been operating since the 1960s. Climbing lessons (from $205) cater to all levels, and guided climbs (from $400) include various options, among them ascending El Capitan (from $7,000). The outfit ends its climbing season October 27. runs half- and full-day rock-climbing outings on Fresno Dome through October 1 (from $425).

Anglers can fish the park’s trout-rich lakes, rivers, and streams through November 15. The pros at Yosemite Fly Fishing Guide can help you hook a brownie in the Merced River (half-day from $500; ). Get a California fishing license first ($62, ).

Pro Tip: Foresta Road, which leads into Yosemite from the west, is the favorite e-bike ride of Chris Van Leuven, founder of Yosemite E-Biking. “It’s also amazing hiking for families who want to see Foresta Falls and dip into swimming holes,” he says.

Where to Stay: Your chances of scoring a site in one of the park’s 13 campgrounds dramatically increase in fall, but you’ll still need to make a at least a week in advance. Camp 4 is coveted by climbers for its history and proximity to El Capitan, and for bouldering routes like world-renowned Midnight Lightning and nearby Bachar Cracker. The new glamping retreat Wildhaven Yosemite (from $139) is located in the charming town of Mariposa, 34 miles from the Arch Rock entrance to the park, and offers safari-style tents and cabins, live music, and yoga classes.

2. Puglia, Italy

Why Now: My first trip to Puglia, which forms Italy’s boot heel, was in early November, and in packing I made two mistakes: I left out a bathing suit and bike shoes. I didn’t anticipate that the southern latitude would bring late-summer temperatures. I arrived to see umbrellas shading folks on the rocky beaches and bicycles outnumbering cars. I chose the region hoping it would deliver the food, wine, and culture of Tuscany, but with fewer crowds and better prices. So it did, and also surprised me with a bounty of outdoor playgrounds, including two national parks, 16 state reserves, three marine protected areas, many fantastic cycling routes, and an incredible network of limestone caves.

In early autumn, Susumaniello grapes are plucked from the vines; toward the end, olives get harvested from ancient, gnarled trees. Attractions, like the whitewashed city of Ostuni, are quiet, and there’s rarely a wait at popular restaurants like Il Cortiletto this time of year. Be warned, though: after trying the region’s famed burrata cheese, you’ll never settle for mozzarella again.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: rents out carbon-fiber road bikes (from $38) and e-bikes (from $49), and offers one- and seven-day guided trips (from $429) and five- and ten-day self-guided trips (from $1,169). During a of the Caves of Castellana ($27), you’ll don a helmet and headlamp to visit parts of the grotto system that are off-limits during the day.

Pro Tip: Antonello Losito, founder of local tour operator Southern Visions, says that “one of the most exciting ways to view Alberobello, home to 1,500-plus Unesco-listed trulli, is via a tandem paraglide flight with Aeroclub FlyWay.” The 15-minute excursion costs $130.

Where to Stay: Tucked away in the hamlet of Pezze di Greco, less than ten minutes from Torre Canne beach, is an ancient cave settlement turned 15-room, family-run eco-hotel (from $235). At , just outside the village of Locorotondo, you can sleep in the trulli the resort is named for, 18th-century conical-roofed stone huts (from $249).

3. Mad River Valley, Vermont

Why Now: Vermont lives up to its reputation as the quintessence of fall-foliage perfection. The state’s diverse hardwoods create a dazzling autumnal palette. Leaf peepers from Boston, New York, and elsewhere rubberneck on the easily accessible roads to the south, but Mad River Valley, in the heart of the Green Mountains, is worth the travel time. The 36.5-mile Mad River Byway, a Norman Rockwell–worthy section of various state routes, winds past showy maple, ash, and birch trees, as well as covered bridges, country stores, and storybook towns like Warren and Waitsfield.

I prefer to ditch the car and cycle for stretches, or take in the colors while hiking or running the trails. The valley is nirvana for mountain bikers, who can ride singletrack at Sugarbush Resort or trail systems like the . Need a down day? The Mad River Glen ski area’s famed single chair is open for foliage rides three weekends in September and October, or grab a sandwich at the historic Warren Store and visit the region’s celebrated microbreweries.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: Hikers after a rewarding challenge should trek the , an 11.6-mile slice of the from Lincoln Gap to Appalachian Gap with 8,000 feet of ups and downs.

Pro Tip: Sean Lawson, founder of Lawson’s Finest Liquids, a brewery in Waitsfield, recommends exploring the trails of Stark Mountain. From the Mad River Glen base area, a 2.5-mile work road climbs 2,036 feet to the summit. Back at the base you can enjoy a good meal and frosty beer at Stark’s Pub, open Wednesday through Sunday in the fall.

Where to Stay: , a new 24-room base camp with a flow trail off its doorstep, has a bike shop for mountain and gravel rentals and repairs, and sauna huts to soothe weary legs. Creekside tents are available through October. (Rooms from $139 and tents from $99.)

4. Northern Michigan

Why Now: Michigan has the longest freshwater shoreline in the world, and its beaches are prized summer destinations. When the water gets chilly, vacationers leave, but the cool months are a local secret: prime time to hike, pedal, and paddle in Petoskey State Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With the leaves ablaze, the 20.3-mile Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route, from Harbor Springs to Cross Village, is at its most spectacular, and best appreciated by bike.

Harvest season in the region’s bucolic interior means pumpkin patches, , and corn mazes at family-run spots like Friske Farm Market. Time your visit during Traverse City Beer Week, typically early November, or register for the Iceman Cometh Challenge, a 30-mile cross-country mountain-bike race through Pere Marquette State Forest, held the first Saturday of November.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: in Glen Arbor rents bikes (from $32), kayaks (from $68), and paddleboards (from $76), and will deliver equipment for $20.

Pro Tip: From downtown Traverse City, bike seven flat miles along the paved to Farm Club, a massive, cedar-clad barn housing a bakery, market, restaurant, and brewery that pours excellent lagers.

Where to Stay: Located along the Tunnel of Trees, on a hillside above the waters of Lake Michigan, the recently renovated (from $275) has 31 mid-century-modern rooms and a general store stocked with picnic supplies. The rustic , in the northern district of Sleeping Bear Dunes, has 23 tent sites available until the last Sunday in November; reservations are required until October 15 (from $10; park fee also required).

5. Hokkaido, Japan

Why Now: Most people associate Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, with the mythic dry, deep snow known as Japow. While skiing and snowboarding still reign supreme here, cycling is fast catching on. Spring through fall, resort towns like Niseko open their trails and lifts to mountain bikers. The region’s roads, which have wide shoulders for all the great snow, make for roomy road riding once it melts. And Japanese drivers are remarkably courteous to cyclists, giving them a wide berth and passing slowly with a wave.

Routes wind through a changing landscape of sparkling lakes, fertile farmland, rugged coastline, and high mountain passes. Hokkaido’s six national parks are laced with trails, and I submit that the amber gingkoes and crimson maples are just as pretty as Japan’s famed cherry blossoms. Steamy onsens abound for soaking sore muscles, and local kaiseki meals and savory bowls of ramen feature seasonal ingredients like salmon, long yams, and pumpkin.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: runs six-, seven-, and nine-day hiking trips among caldera lakes, alpine wetlands, and the dramatic peaks of Daisetsuzan National Park (from $2,197). Last year I joined Cycling Japan guides on a four-day tour from Lake Toya to the Sea of Japan (from $1,130) that was just as delicious as it was scenic, with stops at out-of-the-way restaurants like Udon Nonosan that I’d never have found on my own.

Pro Tip: All cyclists must stop at intersections with stop signs, and before any designating lines there, notes Ayaka Yoshikawa, cofounder of ���ϳԹ��� Hokkaido. According to police, penalties range from up to 50,000 yen ($320) to a three-month prison sentence.

Where to Stay: Set at the foot of Mount Yotei (Hokkaido’s Mount Fuji), 24-room (from $210) has both Western- and Japanese-style accommodations, some with private saunas and tubs that feed from hot springs. There are also communal soaking baths, a terrace with a foot bath, and multiple dining options, including a teppanyaki counter.

6. Churchill, Canada

Why Now: Known as the polar bear capital of the world, this northern Manitoba port town attracts earth’s largest concentration of the massive white bruins each fall. From mid-October through November, an estimated 1,000 bears congregate along Hudson Bay, waiting for the ice to form so they can use it as a platform for seal hunting. The tundra takes on vibrant crimson and golden hues—a striking backdrop for photographing the majestic mammals, along with Arctic foxes and snowy owls.

You also have a strong chance of catching the natural world’s best light show: Churchill averages more than 300 nights of auroral activity throughout the year.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: The carbon-neutral travel company has been running polar-bear-viewing tours here since 1989. Groups of up to 16 visitors join biologists, climatologists, and other experts in custom Polar Rover vehicles to explore the full range of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (six-day trips, from $7,795). Seeking something slightly less involved? offers day tours in 40-seat Tundra Buggies ($400).

Pro Tip: While onshore, “the bears are really active, as they know it’s not much longer before they return to the sea ice,” says Court Whelan, chief sustainability officer of Natural Habitat ���ϳԹ���s. “They prowl and interact with one another—a rare occurrence anywhere else.”

Where to Stay: For a DIY trip, the simple, 31-room (from $349) is conveniently set in the heart of Churchill, and its pub has a sensational menu; try the veggie burger with yam fries.

7. Grand Valley, Colorado

Why Now: Located on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, around 230 miles west of Denver, the Grand Valley is the ultimate autumn playground. Both an agricultural haven and a geological anomaly, it has vineyards and farmland reminiscent of those in Sonoma, California; storied singletrack to rival Moab, Utah’s; and the second-largest concentration of natural arches in the world, behind that of Arches National Park. Moreover, it’s home to Colorado National Monument, often heralded as a mini Grand Canyon.

In fall, the vistas glow with gold, the broiling summer heat (average daytime temperatures in July and August are in the nineties) subsides, and with school back in session, you might not pass another hiker or biker on the trail. After a full day outdoors, I like to hit the funky towns of Fruita, Palisade, and Grand Junction for a delicious meal at locavore-focused spots like Tacoparty and Cruise Control.

I was once skeptical of the Colorado wine scene, but it’s legit, and this area is the epicenter. Harvest gets underway in September and coincides with the Colorado Mountain Winefest, a one-day event (this year on the 21st) that will school you in high-elevation varietals like viognier, Riesling, and mourvèdre.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: One of the country’s longest and gnarliest singletrack trails for downhillers is the . The route, considered challenging, starts at the top of Grand Mesa and descends 32 miles and over 6,000 feet. offers drop-offs through October 8 ($38) and rents mountain bikes (from $90).

For something mellower, the East Orchard Mesa Loop between Grand Junction and Palisade is a 25-mile cycling path that passes a dozen wineries (like Colorado Cellars) and farm stands while offering views of the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain. (Located within 60 miles of Grand Junction, it has great hiking.)

Pro Tip: Patric Matysiewski, winemaker at Sauvage Spectrum Estate Winery and Vineyard, loves the carrot margarita at Fidel’s Cocina and Bar in downtown Palisade. “It’s the best way to end your day,” he says.

Where to Stay: The biking- and food-obsessed owners of the 17-room in Palisade (from $144) are happy to recommend their favorite singletrack trails, tasting rooms, and restaurants. In Grand Junction, ’s tiny homes, Airstreams, and RV hookups are steps from the Colorado River within Las Colonias Park (from $35).

8. Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Coast

Why Now: Fall is widely considered the rainy season in Costa Rica. Don’t be put off. These are the greenest months, when the jungle is lush (in the dry season, from December to April, it can look withered and brown), the rains (heaviest from May to November) fade, and travelers can score serious deals on hotels. On the Caribbean coast, which is less trodden than the Pacific side, September and October are the driest months.

Head to the province of Limón to discover the region’s rich Afro-Caribbean culture and protected natural areas—including Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, a rainforest-meets-beach setting with rare mangrove oyster beds and endangered manatees and ocelots. The nearby Cahuita National Park is home to the largest coral-reef system in the country, and in autumn the waters are calm and clear for diving and snorkeling. By November the surf picks up, and Salsa Brava, arguably Costa Rica’s biggest barreling wave, becomes a proving ground for skilled wave riders.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: In addition to offering surf lessons and hosting surf camps, guides SUP and kayak trips on the Punta Uva River (from $65 for 2.5 hours) and boat trips to snorkel the reef of Cahuita National Park ($90 for three hours).

Pro Tip: Spend some time at the in Puerto Viejo; it offers classes in numerous styles, and has a vegetarian restaurant with jackfruit tostadas and beetroot-hummus toast.

Where to Stay: The mother-and-daughter-owned has 15 boho-chic rooms nestled on a forest-fringed beach in Puerto Viejo (from $287). I’m a fan of the free bikes and snorkel gear, and applaud the property’s commitment to hiring and sourcing locally.

9. Tasmania, Australia

Why Now: About half of this island province is reserved land, including national parks and a Unesco World Heritage wilderness, rich with distinctive flora and fauna and webbed with more than 1,700 miles of trails. Down Under, September ushers in spring, which means Tassie’s daffodils, cherry blossoms, and tulips are popping, and wombats and pademelons may be active.

Longer daylight hours combine with milder temperatures to provide optimal conditions for hiking the many coastal trails, such as the Bay of Fires, a 31-mile, multiday route in the northeast that runs from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. And austral spring marks the annual and biannual migration of southern right and humpback whales, respectively, so keep an eye out for spouts and breaches.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: Tasmania has 19 national parks and countless bushwalking options. Off the east coast, Maria Island is nicknamed Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark, due to its astounding diversity of wildlife. On a four-day trek with , I ticked off sightings of kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and wombats, and stayed in the company’s private bush camps just steps from the beach (from $1,940).

Pro Tip: Hobart’s Sunday Farm Gate Market is a must. At its center, you’ll find a collection of street vendors serving everything from Chinese bao to Sri Lankan curries.

Where to Stay: , one of Australia’s most famous bush treks, finishes on the doorstep of , a 1930s hydroelectricity station turned adventure base at the southern end of Cradle Mountain–Lake St. Clair National Park (from $402). Choose from stylish bell tents or bunk rooms at , which is minutes from surf breaks and mountain-bike trails (from $150).

10. The Scottish Highlands

Why Now: Tourist season here ends with summer, and in the fall you’ll find solitude on the trails and stellar lodging deals. In September, the hillsides are still carpeted in lilac-hued heather, and the pesky midges are withdrawing. By October, the deer grass on the moors turns a moody russet, and the glens echo with stag calls and the clatter of antlers amid the annual rut. The Cairngorms, which make up the UK’s largest national park, are similar in latitude to Alaska and Norway.

In late September and October, reduced daylight combined with the park’s clear skies increase the chances that the aurora will be visible. In the pubs, menus showcase the seasonal bounty: lamb, beef, and venison, damsons (plums), and native Scottish oysters. Fall’s best pairing, however, is a roaring fire and a dram of local whisky.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: Offered in September and early October, ’s ten-day Highlights of the Highlands group hiking trip averages two to four hours of hill walking per day around Glencoe’s glacier-scoured peaks and the silvery moors of Cairngorms National Park (from $7,335). Guests stay in cushy accommodations, like lochside Monachyle Mhor, and a boat trip up the west coast promises minke whale and porpoise sightings. October is prone to cold spells and rain, so pack layers and rain gear.

Pro Tip: In Cairngorms National Park, indulge at a locals’ favorite: Nethy House Café, with its locally sourced seasonal menu and homestyle baking.

Where to Stay: The maintains a network of these traditional bare-bones lodgings for adventurous hikers. Check for closures in hunting season, much of which typically wraps up in mid-October.

11. Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Why Now: Once the summer humidity subsides, Shenandoah National Park becomes a paradise for hikers, who have more than 500 miles of trails—including 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail—to explore. The fall colors are truly mesmerizing. Most leaf peepers ogle the views along Skyline Drive. This sole road through the park can be driven or biked, and spans 105 miles from Front Royal in the north to Waynesboro in the south, with 75 overlooks along the way. Fair warning, traffic can be bumper-to-bumper, so hit the road early.

Some of the best treetop panoramas are found along gravel-bike-friendly fire roads in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests on the sides of the valley and on farm roads heading out of the towns of Luray and Stanley. The farms sprout pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and orchards sell freshly pressed apple cider.

���ϳԹ��� Intel: ’s five-day gravel tour of the valley bases out of the hip in downtown Harrisonburg. On day four, you’ll climb nearly 4,000 feet in 23 miles to reach Reddish Knob, one of the highest peaks along the Virginia–West Virginia border. From the summit you’ll enjoy 360-degree vistas of foliage (from $1,999).

, founded over 30 years ago, takes newbies up climbs on crags set 3,000 feet above the valley floor (from $140).

Pro Tip: “The park’s best-kept secret is its South District,” says Andy Nichols, director of programs at Shenandoah Mountain Guides and School. “The mile-loop is one of the best sunset hikes in all of the East.”

Where to Stay: Page Valley is nicknamed the “cabin capital of Virginia.” Some gems on Airbnb include three-bedroom Whispering Woods (from $328) near Luray, just a half-hour from Skyline Drive, and Bearloga, a four-bedroom cabin with a sauna and hot tub set on 75 acres in Stanley (from $400).