5 spots for fall foliage

It's that time of year, and the leaves are starting to change. Here are five easy-to-get-to spots with stunning views of nature's handiwork.

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Osage Beach, Mo.
Osage Beach, Mo.
Why it's worth the trip: This midwestern "beach," three hours from St. Louis, is really the shoreline of the Lake of the Ozarks, which was created almost 80 years ago to provide hydroelectric power to the area.

The lake is plenty busy with party-loving boaters in the summer, but it takes on an altogether more peaceful vibe during fall-foliage time.

The autumn colors come courtesy of an "amazing collection of dogwoods, thong trees, and oak-hickory forests," all of which can be explored "by foot or by boat" at the 17,442-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park, according to the experts at ShermansTravel.com.

Peak of the season: Mid to late October.

Info: Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (573) 348-1599

NEXT: Hood River, Ore.

Last updated October 01 2008: 10:05 AM ET
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