Autumn’s the perfect time for a leisurely drive. The crisp air makes it just right for rolling down the windows as the golden sunshine isn’t quite as hot as it was just weeks ago. These scenic drives in Missouri are pure bliss in the fall, offering picture-perfect opportunities for leaf peeping. Pack a picnic, too, for your autumn adventure, and find a spot to pull over for a relaxing meal.

1. Blue Buck Knob Forest Scenic Byway
Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway, Willow Springs, MO 65793, USA
All Trails/Mark Howard
Go on a relaxing drive along the 24-mile Blue Buck Knob Forest Scenic Byway, which winds through Mark Twain National Forest. It's the perfect way to celebrate fall in Missouri. The byway features several overlooks, so you won’t have difficulty find places to stop and to admire the changing colors of fall. Read more about this scenic Missouri drive in our previous article.
2. Old Trails Road Byway
224 Route E, Pineville, MO 64856, USA
Facebook/Legendary Lexington, Missouri
Drive along the 15-mile Old Trails Road Byway, which boasts winding roads and journeys from Napoleon to Lexington. The byway hugs the Missouri River, offering sensational views along each mile. Lexington’s also the perfect fall day trip destination in Missouri, if you have time to stop and to explore. Find more on the official website of Lexington, Missouri.

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3. Historic Route 66
Historic Route 66, Historic Rte 66, Pacific, MO 63069, USA
Google/Richard Moar
Historic Route 66 meanders 293 miles from Joplin to St. Louis and offers a ton of scenic beauty along the way. You can drive the entire route or just a portion. Make sure you stop at Meramec State Park, where you’ll find Overlook Pavilion. It offers sweeping views of a gorgeous forested area. Read more about Historic Route 66 in our previous article.
4. Glade Top Trail
Glade Top Trail, Beaver Township, MO, USA
All Trails/Joshua Miller
Absolutely stunning views await along the 23-mile Glade Top Trail. The two-lane scenic Missouri road journeys through Mark Twain National Forest and features several scenic overlooks. Don’t forget your camera to snap photos of the breathtaking forested area and open fields. Get a glimpse of the beauty that awaits on the Glade Top Trail in Missouri.
5. Sugar Camp Scenic Byway
Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway (recgovnpsdata), Eagle Rock, MO 65641, USA
All Trails/Michael S.
Journey along the 28-mile Sugar Camp Scenic Byway for jaw-dropping leaf peeping. Eight miles of the byway is a well-maintained gravel road. In addition to several scenic overlooks, the byway features two picnic areas, so don’t forget to bring lunch along. Read all about this gorgeous fall drive in Missouri in our previous article.

What are you favorite scenic drives in Missouri during the fall? Let us know in the comments! Ready for some leaf peeping adventures? Ready for more fall fun? Follow this road trip to see the best fall foliage in Missouri.

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Scenic Drives In Missouri

Beth Price-Williams | August 15, 2022

What are some fun things to do in fall in Missouri?

Are you one of those people who just tolerates summer, counting down the days until the crisp weather of fall? Sweater weather, pumpkin-flavored everything, and shorter days – fall is absolutely delightful. There are so many fun things to do in fall in Missouri, too, that our calendars are usually jam-packed. From getting lost in corn mazes to spending the day at one of the many fall festivals in Missouri, we always have a ton to do. Fall is also an ideal time for a road trip in Missouri. See some of the best fall foliage in Missouri by visiting Weston Bend State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park, and Taum Sauk Mountain.

Where are the best places to see the fall foliage in Missouri?

We can usually just walk right out of our front door and marvel at the gorgeous fall foliage all around us. However, if you’re up for a bit of adventure, you’ll find a ton of amazing places to see the fall foliage in Missouri. Explore Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, for example, on one of its scenic hiking trails. You’ll find some of the best fall views at this enchanting Missouri state park that’s home to picturesque castle ruins. Sip wine during a leisurely wine tasting at Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, a beautiful destination all year around. However, you really have to see it framed in the colors of fall. Autumn and adventure just go hand-in-hand, and you’re in for what might be the most awe-inspiring adventure of the season at Branson Zipline at Wolfe Mountain. Soar high above the ground, among the vibrant fall foliage, at this epic adventure park. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe promises a ton of fun too, whether you feel like going on a leisurely hike or you want to join a wildlife tour. Save time for a bite to eat at the restaurant that’s overlooking a waterfall, just one of the cascades at this popular Missouri destination.

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