SANDPOINT — Fall in North Idaho is spectacular, golden yellows, vibrant reds and bright oranges transform the landscape into an homage to autumn.

It’s a sight that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recently the Sandpoint area garnered a spot on a list bu Vacasa, an international vacation rental management company based in Portland, Ore., noting the best places to go “leaf peeping” this fall.

In the online article, the company noted that fall’s crisp air, cozy sweaters and the whifting scent of wood smoke in the breeze all make the seasons a thing of memories and wonder. “If we had to pick our favorite thing, though, it would have to be the trees bursting into incredible shades of gold and red,” the site notes.

While watching the colors change is a tradition in the Northeast parts of the country — where it enjoys its own name of “leaf peeping” — the opportunity to dive into fall’s beauty exists throughout the country.

Sandpoint earned the eighth spot on the list with the company noting the beauty of Sandpoint foliage in a town nestled between Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Lake Pend Oreille.

“Perhaps even more notable is the town’s placement on the Selkirk Loop, a 280-mile scenic drive that circles through Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia,” the company noted on its list. “With the Cabinet Mountains rising imposingly in the distance, and yellow and orange foliage thrown into sharp relief against dark evergreens, this breathtaking route is one of the best ways to experience autumn in the Northwest.”

Recognition of what makes the community special is always appreciated, Kate McAlister, Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said.

“Any time of year in Sandpoint is wonderful, but in the fall, the personality of the foliage really comes out,” McAlister said in an email to the Daily Bee. “We have a number of great fall leaf drives within a short distance from town. Thank you Vacasa for the shout out.”

In all, nine communities were recognized by Vacasa.

Earning a top spot on the list was Stowe, Vermont, a “quintessential New England town” that, above all, lays claim to “a stunning display of Vermont fall foliage. It feels like every inch of town explodes into exquisite yellows and golds during peak leaf peeping season,” the company notes.

Second on the list is Newburyport, Massachusetts, home to Maudslay State Park, a 483-acre park once an estate in the 1800s. “Maudslay’s stone bridges and walking trails are beautiful any time of year, but peak season is unquestionably autumn, when the meadows and gardens transform into a patchwork quilt of yellows, oranges, and reds,” the site notes.

Third is Camden, Maine, a coastal community with a sailboat-filled harbor, blue skies in the summer and snowy hills in the winter. “But then there’s fall, when the dense wall of maple trees surrounding the town erupts into a blazing shade of red, resulting in some of the best Maine leaf peeping you’re likely to find,” notes Vacasa on the website.

Fourth is Oakland, Maryland, home to the state’s tallest free-standing waterfall and largest lake as well as a bounty of oaks and hickory trees that blanket the area with one of “the state’s most stunning shows of autumn foliage.”

Ellijay, Georgia claimed fifth spot on the list. “The self-proclaimed ‘Apple Capital of Georgia,” this charming town is home to the Georgia Apple Festival, a celebration of all things red and delicious held each October.”

Gatlinburg, Tennessee claimed the sixth spot thanks to “colors right out of an oil painting, rolling hills fading into the distance, and the cold mountain air against your face” as well more than 100 types of trees that really put autumn’s beauty on full display.

With a name like Aspen, it’s no wonder the Colorado town claimed the seventh spot. The community’s “magnificent combination of snow-capped mountains and brilliant colors gives New England a run for its money,” notes Vacasa officials on the site.

And, following Sandpoint on the list in ninth place is Hood River, Oregon, with rolling hills, lively harvest activities and more. “Bundle up against the chill, breathe in the smell of leaves, and let the colors of an Oregon fall sweep you away,” Vacasa notes.

Information: vacasa.com

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.