Guanmen Mountain National Forest Park is Benxi's closest mountain destination and the most visited during autumn. The valley landscape — forested hillsides of mixed maple and oak with granite ridges above — produces autumn foliage that draws visitors from across the northeast. The peak season is October, when the maples turn red and orange and the whole valley lights up on clear days.
Hiking trails run through the forest at various levels of difficulty, from easy valley walks to ridge paths requiring more effort. The park is popular but smaller and quieter than Qianshan near Anshan, and it rewards a half-day visit in any season. In summer the forest is cool and green; in early spring the hillsides are carpeted in wildflowers. The combination of Guanmen Mountain in the morning and the Benxi Water Caves in the afternoon makes a full day's itinerary for visitors based in the city.