Oak Creek Canyon, AZ

A red rock backdrop: Oak Creek’s crimson canyon walls and sun-dappled stream dazzle year-round, but fall takes views to another level with turning maples and gamble oaks. Head 13 miles north of Sedona on U.S. 89A to the Oak Creek Vista overlook. The 3-miles-one-way West Fork Trail ($9/vehicle; trailhead between mile 384 and 385; www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino) crisscrosses the West Fork of Oak Creek (read: splashy boulder hopping).

Don’t miss: For healthy après-hike food, hit Heartline ($$; heartlinecafe.com).