Foliage from the water: Viewing spots for boaters

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — If you enjoy fall foliage, consider doing some of your leaf-peeping from the water.

The Chicago-based Discover Boating organization is recommending 10 places nationwide to see autumn colors by boat. And you don't have to own a boat; some places offer cruises or rentals.

In the south, milder temperatures result in foliage lasting later in the season. Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and Arkansas offer fall colors mid-October to mid-November; http://www.funlake.com/. In the Tennessee River Gorge in the Cumberland Mountains, wildlife like eagles, ospreys and wild turkeys are part of the scenery; details at http://www.trgt.org/.

Along the Shenandoah River in Virginia, colorful views of the Appalachian, Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountains also run mid-October to mid-November. The river is ideal for canoeing and kayaking, with Luray Caverns and Shenandoah National Park among the nearby attractions. For information on visiting Virginia in the fall, go to http://www.virginia.org/fall/.

In the Northeast, Lake Champlain, which borders New York and Vermont, offers cruises with mountain backdrops. From Burlington, try a 90-minute scenic ride aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III through Oct. 18, http://www.soea.com/.

In New York, the Hudson River is prime fall color territory, September right through early November. New York Waterway's "Shades of Autumn" cruise departs from Manhattan and New Jersey for a trip up the Hudson — http://www.nywaterway.com. For information on other cruises farther upstate, visit http://www.hudsonriver.com/cruises.htm.

In the Midwest, Door County, Wis., is located on a peninsula on Lake Michigan, perfect for boating and visiting small Midwestern towns with a New England feel. Peak season is late September to late October; http://www.travelwisconsin.com/.

Michigan's southwest coast on Lake Michigan offers spectacular views of foliage, dunes, and sunsets throughout October, with Saugatuck as a prime jumping-off point for your travels; http://www.saugatuck.com/.

The Brainerd Lakes region of Minnesota includes Gull, Pelican, Cross and the Whitefish chain of lakes, http://www.explorebrainerdlakes.com/. Peak season for changing colors along the shore is through early October.

On the West Coast, Oregon's Columbia River Gorge offers vibrant colors late September-late October, http://www.crgva.org/. And in California, the Mammoth Lakes region on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range offers many places where you can rent a boat or bring your own. Best foliage is through mid-October, http://www.visitmammoth.com/.

For more information about boating, visit http://discoverboating.com/.

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September 21, 2009 04:46 PM EDT

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