THE TAKEAWAY
- Now is the time to get ready for leaf-peeping season, with fall foliage starting as early as September.
- The timing of leaf-peeping season is largely influenced by elevation and location.
- The Southern Appalachians are home to one of the longest leaf-peeping seasons in the country.
Fall is almost here, and that means peeping season is right around the corner.
Not the kind of peeping you might be thinking of — we’re talking about leaf-peeping season, when forests across the country transform into breathtaking patches of red, orange and yellow.
It’s the perfect time to plan a scenic adventure and catch the leaves at or near their peak.
Whether you’re planning a getaway to New England, the Great Smoky Mountains or a weekend adventure closer to home, here is everything you need to know to plan your fall foliage trip, including expected peak timing and some of the best places to see the fall colors.
Fall foliage forecast
In a typical year, fall foliage begins to emerge in late September across the northern states, while higher elevations can see peak color from October into early November.
But temperatures, rainfall, cold fronts and other weather conditions can all influence when leaves begin to change and those factors can shift peak foliage by several days or even weeks from one year to the next.
Northeast
The Northeast is typically one of the first regions in the US to reach peak fall colors.
Some of the most popular leaf-peeping destinations can be found in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, where expansive forests create some of the country’s most spectacular autumn displays.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, foliage timing in Maine has remained relatively consistent for decades. The leaves typically begin changing in late September and can remain vibrant through mid to late October, giving visitors plenty of time to take in the scenery.
In New Hampshire, leaf-peeping season typically runs from late September through mid-October. The colors begin emerging in the Great North Woods before spreading through the White Mountains and toward the Monadnock Region.
The Farmer’s Almanac notes the Kancamagus Highway as one of the best drives for fall colors.
In Vermont, foliage typically begins changing in late September and continues into mid-October. The Green Mountain National Forest and Route 100 are among the top destinations for viewing vibrant colored leaves.
Mid-Atlantic
After New England reaches peak color, the leaf-peeping season typically marches south through the Mid-Atlantic.
New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia are some of the region’s top destinations for fall foliage.
In New York, the season usually starts in the Adirondacks in late September before spreading southward throughout October. In some years, colorful foliage can linger into early November.
Pennsylvania typically sees its first fall colors in northern forests and higher elevations in late September. The changing colors then spread across the state throughout October.
In Virginia, peak foliage generally arrives later, with leaves beginning to change in mid-October and the best displays continuing through the end of the month.
Great Lakes and Midwest
Across the Great Lakes and Midwest, fall foliage typically begins in October, although the timing varies considerably from state to state.
In Michigan, the first major displays typically appear in the Upper Peninsula in late September before spreading into the Lower Peninsula in early October.
Wisconsin can see peak color in the northern part of the state in late September, followed by central Wisconsin in mid-October. The Farmer’s Almanac highlights Door County and the Northwoods as some of the state’s best destinations for viewing fall foliage.
In Minnesota, the season typically begins in the northern part of the state in late September before the colors gradually move south throughout October.
Southern Appalachians
The Southern Appalachians are home to one of the longest leaf-peeping seasons in the country, giving visitors and residents an extended window to experience the region’s spectacular fall colors.
In the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest elevations typically begin changing in early October. The color then descends toward lower elevations through late October and into early November.
In Tennessee, fall foliage typically begins appearing in late September and continues through October. Middle and West Tennessee often see their best displays from late October into early November.
In North Carolina, fall color begins at the highest elevations in late September before spreading through the Blue Ridge Mountains during October and into early November.
Popular destinations include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville and Grandfather Mountain.
West
In the West, the timing of leaf-peeping season is largely influenced by elevation and location.
In Colorado, peak fall color generally arrives from mid-September through mid-October, with higher elevations changing first. Popular destinations include Maroon Bells and the Million Dollar Highway.
In Utah, fall colors typically begin appearing in mid-September and continue through October. Scenic destinations such as Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Mirror Lake Highway and Mount Nebo Loop offer some of the state’s best views.
October is an ideal time to see fall colors in Oregon, which is known for its vibrant autumn displays.
In Washington, fall foliage generally develops throughout September and October. Mountain larches turn first, while lower-elevation maples reach their brightest colors later.
No matter where you live, the best part of leaf-peeping season is that the show doesn’t happen all at once.
As temperatures cool, the colors move across the country, giving fall foliage fans weeks of opportunities to hit the road and capture mother nature’s beauty.
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