Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.

From Colorado's aspen-covered peaks to New England's fiery maples and California's vineyard-lined valleys, fall foliage drives millions of visitors to the country's most scenic destinations.

Travelers who love hitting the road should pair leaf-peeping with unforgettable local events on these five fall road trips. However, for those who'd rather stay in one place and let the season come to them, these six luxury hotels put them right in the heart of fall's vibrant palette.

While the Vail Valley is often better known as a winter ski hub, autumn is arguably a quite photogenic season. The family-owned Sonnenalp is a luxury hotel in Colorado, giving guests a front-row seat to the Centennial State's famed aspen transformation.

Founded more than 45 years ago by the Faessler family, the Sonnenalp continues to carry its roots as a German inn, offering European hospitality within the Rocky Mountains.

The peak season for leaf-peeping starts early September and lasts all through late October. Travelers are welcome to choose from a variety of seasonal activities, such as taking a gondola ride up Vail Mountain, hiking the North Trail's yellow forests, mountain biking, or horseback riding in the valley.

When it comes to sustainability, Sonnenalp holds a Gold Leader Status in the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program, is the only public drop-off site for cork recycling, and is a sponsor of the Eagle Valley Wild, a nonprofit initiative that utilizes professional photography as a conservation tool. The hotel also sets annual goals to reduce its environmental footprint by at least 5% each year.

Travelers seeking a scenic spot to witness the changing seasons should head to western North Carolina. Thanks to the elevations of Cashiers, which range from 2,000 to over 6,000 feet, the fall foliage season stretches from early October to early November.

High Hampton is a historic inn and luxury resort surrounded by 1,400 acres of woodlands and a private lake in Cashiers. During the fall, nearly every guestroom overlooks a canvas of fiery reds, oranges and golds, offering epic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Guests can wander scenic trails on and around the property or pair their stay with a visit to the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival, this year taking place from October 10 to 12. Village Green will come alive with music, food and more than 100 artisans showcasing handcrafted woodwork, pottery and jewelry.

High Hampton also embraces conservation, with more than half of its land protected under conservation easements or designated green space. The resort partners with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to further safeguard eight threatened and endangered species that inhabit the area.

Top of the Ridge Farm, as its name suggests, is set atop a hill in New Durham, offering sweeping views of New Hampshire's southern mountains ablaze with fall color.

Guests don't need to be deep in the forest to enjoy foliage here, since the elevation provides panoramic access to the changing reds, oranges and yellows of New England.

It is an upscale boutique inn, built in 1810 and lovingly restored by Tatiana and Gino Michelizza in 2015. Drawing from their love of Italian culture and cuisine, the inn serves cicchetti, housemade pizza and pasta.

With a mix of boutique charm and rustic vibes, Top of the Ridge Farm can be a unique base for leaf-peeping travelers to explore New Hampshire. Fall activities nearby can include rail biking in Concord or taking a scenic rail ride along Lake Winnipesaukee.

Paws Up is a Two Michelin Key resort spanning 37,000 acres of Montana's Missoula County, within one of the West's most expansive fall foliage settings.

Accommodations range from safari-style glamping tents and luxury homes to the exclusive adults-only Green O, an ultra-luxury, design-driven hideaway.

Each of the 12 Green O houses seamlessly blends into the surrounding forest, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass and a modern, nature-inspired design. The scale of the ranch ensures uninterrupted access to fall's striking palette day and night.

Curated outdoor experiences await guests in all seasons, but watching golden pines and cottonwoods from a hot air balloon ride or on a horseback trek across the Blackfoot Valley is especially memorable when the fall colors peak.

Paws Up also emphasizes conservation through land management and low-density development. Through the Paws Up Foundation, it partners with a wide range of non-profit organizations, such as the Blackfoot Challenge, which protects the surrounding watershed, and the Working Dogs for Conservation, which trains dogs to detect invasive species.

In the fall, it is not just aspens or oak trees that change color. Sonoma County's vineyards also come alive with harvest season, as rows of grapevines turn golden across the rolling hills.

Montage Healdsburg lies on 258 acres of vineyards and oak woodlands. The resort features over 130 bungalow-style rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces, offering front-row views as the landscape transitions to warm autumn tones.

Harvest seasons typically begin in late August and last through October. Guests can pair fall foliage outings with wine tastings, seasonal cuisine, and restorative spa treatments.

Each October (this year on October 12), the Healdsburg Crush transforms the town's plaza into a lively open-air tasting, where more than 60 Sonoma wineries showcase their Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines.

Sustainability is central to Montage Healdsburg. It received the Environmental Media Association's Green Seal and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's Silver Certification.

The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone offers sweeping views of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. At an elevation of 3,700 feet, the center offers panoramic views of fall foliage, which peaks from late September through early November.

For travelers seeking more than just leaf peeping, the Art of Living Retreat Center combines wellness, nature, and sustainability against one of the most stunning fall backdrops in the Southeast.

Its activities focus on holistic wellness, sustainable living and mindful travel, from meditation and yoga workshops to Ayurvedic spa treatments.

Guests can step out onto miles of mountain trails or join guided nature walks that highlight the seasonal transition across the Appalachians.

6 U.S. Luxury Hotels Where Fall Foliage Is Right Outside Your Window