These special leaves make for the best fall foliage vacations
Winds of fall are blowing in, with pumpkin spice back on the menu and leaves starting to change. That last bit is so glorious that some people plan their vacations around the event. Leaf peepers, or fall foliage tourists, commonly visit the East Coast, but that is not the only state with color-changing trees worth ogling.
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Now, five worthy leaf-peeping locales have legalized cannabis, adding a fun layer to tourists gracing the area for the seasonal attraction.
Fall foliage travel: stoner edition
People often report that cannabis makes them feel more present and appreciate their surroundings. Popping a gummy or responsibly puffing a joint before checking out that foliage may make it even more exciting. Remember to time the trip perfectly to avoid showing up after the gold, red, and orange leaves have fallen to the forest floor.
Those who want to infuse the experience have a few other logistics to suss through. Many foliage trips are enjoyed in motion. People often drive through picturesque highways, stopping at roadside attractions and greenways to explore.
Lighting up at these locales may be illegal for multiple reasons. First, never drive high. Second, consuming cannabis in public is not permitted in most states. Last, fire danger is high when the leaves are crisp on the forest floor. Do not ash into the dried kindling, one cherry could set the place off.
Once prepared to enjoy responsibly, whether with a designated driver or on a passenger train, it is time to peep some leaves. These are the most popular, breathtaking places to see the colors of autumn where cannabis is legal.
Maine
Adult use dispensaries are common in Maine leaf-peeping towns. Fall colors start in late September and continue throughout Maine until the end of October. This centrally located cabin is less than an hour from multiple parks filled with autumnal hues. Best part? It comes with weed.
“Complimentary organic cannabis, firewood, and springwater” are a part of this glampsite in the trees. These accommodations make for a stoney home base to cruise around the state to see the best leaves.
Michigan
The Upper Peninsula (UP) is a Michigan gem worth visiting year-round, fall included. The Black River National Forest Scenic Byway is a treasured road in UP. It was built as a wagon supply route and is now a 15-mile highway surrounded by the extensive Ottawa National Forest. The route is shorter than some but promises flushes of fall colors earlier in the season.
Those arriving mid-October or later may consider heading south to Coldwater for a weekend, complete with a train ride through the views. The town is filled with historic buildings, antique railroad cars, and a handful of dispensaries. A trip to Coldwater is ideal for the stoner looking to pop a gummy, sit back, and let someone else take the wheel.
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Minnesota
Like the other states, Minnesota leaves begin changing in mid-September in the northwest corner of the state before turning in the southeastern corner until Halloween.
“Brilliant fall color occurs when early fall days are sunny, nights are chilly, and there is adequate rainfall throughout the growing season,” Brian Schwingle, a Minnesota DNR forest health specialist, said in a statement.
The state-run Fall Color Finder map is a reliable way to keep up with the foliage. Cannabis tourists should plan their stay around one of the four Native American-owned dispensaries, as off-reservation Minnesota shops are not set to open until 2025.
New York
New York is full of fall colors throughout the season, but the most densely packed colorways are in the Adirondacks. There are 10 regions in the country’s largest national landmark and wilderness area.
Saranac Lake is one of the few regional areas with a licensed cannabis dispensary if that sways foliage travel plans. Leaves here start to turn from the end of September to the beginning of October. And, thanks to legalization, weed leaves stay green there year-round.
Washington
The Evergreen State is a lesser-known fall foliage destination. But with multiple volcanoes and National Parks, it is a worthy one. Cannabis has been legal in Washington for a decade, so there are dispensaries in almost every town. Those seeking a weed vacation with delightful views will appreciate the forested towns in the Pacific Northwest.
Snoqualmie Pass, near where the cult classic show Twin Peaks was filmed, is one stunning place to check out fall foliage and enjoy the misty magic of the area. In the North Cascades, Maple Pass offers similar views with the same small ski town vibes. Though each is in a smaller locale, they are both 20 to 30 minutes up the mountain from larger cities.
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Leaf peeping with the other leaf
Traveling in the fall means apple cider donuts and brilliant forest scapes. And a little cannabis might heighten the enjoyment of both. These prime leaf-peeping states also have dispensaries and weed culture, making fall the perfect time for outdoor cannabis enthusiasts to visit.
