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Best Places to See Fall Colors in the United States

North America boasts some of the best autumn leaf-peeping opportunities in the world. Besides the incredible diversity of landscapes and trees, it also offers exceptionally long fall foliage season. The fall colors typically start around mid-September in the northern states and tend to peak in early October. While in the southwest, leaves may start turning closer to the end of October, followed by the southern states in early November, with a final sweep of color reaching Florida and south Texas by Thanksgiving. The key is to map your trip, be flexible, plan for peak, and aim for the states famous for their brilliant colors! Red maple, ginkgo, bald cypress, black gum, and scarlet oak are responsible for the warm orange and bronze hues that make North America's fall landscapes so special. The change of leaf color depends on chlorophyll. As the days get colder and shorter, the amount of chlorophyll decreases, and the pigments that were once hidden begin to reveal themselves. Xanthophylls are responsible for a yellow color and beta-carotenes—for orange. Anthocyanins that produce red to purple hues are widespread in certain areas like New England, making autumn there exceptionally beautiful. The first state to turn yellow and red is Alaska, where fall may already be in full swing in early September. Minnesota and Michigan usually experience peak beauty around mid- to late September. Early to mid-October can be the best time to enjoy a vivid and vibrant walk in New England. Mid- to late October can serve up some incredible colors in parts of California. Finally, Texas and Arkansas are known to exhibit their fall foliage well into mid-November. The most famous leaf-peeping destinations include California with its stunning vineyards, mountainous Colorado, rural Vermont, and charming New Hampshire. However, every state has at least a few scenic spots for viewing remarkable fall displays. You can decide for yourself what to put on your fall-foliage bucket list.

Fall Foliage in and around Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., mid-October–early NovemberA

Fall Foliage in & around Boston

Boston, OctoberB

Pando, the Trembling Giant

Utah, September–OctoberC

Fall Stinko Ginkgo

San Francisco, October–DecemberD

Colorado Fall Colors

Colorado, mid-September–mid-NovemberE

Colorado, late May–mid-November (mid-September–early October for fall colors)F

Vermont Fall Foliage

Vermont, early September–OctoberG

Wisconsin Fall Colors

Wisconsin, late September–OctoberH

Maine Fall Foliage

Maine, late September–OctoberI

New York State, late September–OctoberJ

Upper Peninsula Fall Colors

Michigan, late September–early OctoberK

Pennsylvania Fall Foliage

Pennsylvania, OctoberL

Minnesota Fall Colors

Minnesota, mid-September–late OctoberM

West Virginia Fall Foliage

West Virginia, late September–late OctoberN

Connecticut Fall Foliage

Connecticut, late September–early NovemberO

Arkansas Fall Foliage

Arkansas, October–mid-NovemberP

New Hampshire Fall Colors

New Hampshire, mid-September–mid-OctoberQ

Massachusetts Fall Foliage

Massachusetts, OctoberR

California Fall Colors

California, late September–early NovemberS

Oklahoma Fall Foliage

Oklahoma, October–early NovemberT

Illinois Fall Colors

Illinois, OctoberU

Texas Fall Colors

Texas, mid-October–mid-DecemberV

Virginia Fall Foliage

Virginia, early October–early NovemberW

Yosemite Fall Colors

Yosemite, October–early NovemberX

Lake Tahoe Fall Colors

Lake Tahoe, October–early NovemberY

Tennessee Fall Colors

Tennessee, late September–early NovemberZ

North Carolina Fall Colors

North Carolina, October–early NovemberAA

Fall Colors in Ohio

Ohio, October–early NovemberAB

Oregon Fall Colors

Oregon, late September–early NovemberAC

Denver Fall Colors

Denver, mid-September–mid-NovemberAD

Seattle Fall Colors

Seattle, OctoberAE

Chicago Fall Colors

Chicago, early to mid-October AF

Washington Fall Colors

Washington, OctoberAG

Georgia Fall Colors

Georgia, USA, October–early NovemberAH

Atlanta Fall Colors

Atlanta, October–early NovemberAI

Utah Fall Foliage

Utah, mid-September–early OctoberAJ

Fall Colors in Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg, TN, mid-October–early NovemberAK

Maryland Fall Foliage

Maryland, OctoberAL

New Jersey Fall Foliage

New Jersey, OctoberAM

Fall Colors in Iowa

Iowa, OctoberAN

Arizona Fall Colors

Arizona, late September–NovemberAO

New Mexico Fall Colors

New Mexico, OctoberAP

Florida Fall Foliage

Florida, late October–NovemberAQ

Cincinnati, OH, October–early NovemberAR

Nashville, TN, mid-October–early NovemberAS

Ann Arbor Fall Colors

Ann Arbor, MI, early to mid-OctoberAT

Oklahoma City, OK, late October–early November AU

Glacier National Park, MT, mid-September–late OctoberAV

New York City (NYC), late October–early NovemberAW

Portland Fall Colors

Portland, mid-October–early November AX

Indiana Fall Colors

Indiana, OctoberAY

Flagstaff Fall Colors

Flagstaff, AZ, late September–OctoberAZ

Fall Colors in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, late September–early OctoberBA

Kentucky Fall Colors

Kentucky, OctoberBB

Delaware Water Gap Fall Foliage

Pennsylvania, late OctoberBC

Pittsburgh, PA, October–early NovemberBD

Philadelphia, PA, late October–mid-NovemberBE

Breckenridge, CO, early September–mid-SeptemberBF

Fall Colors in Dallas

Dallas, TX, mid-October–mid-DecemberBG

Rhode Island Fall Foliage

Rhode Island, OctoberBH

Alaska Fall Colors

Alaska, mid-August–late SeptemberBI

Zion National Park Fall Colors

Zion National Park, UT, mid-October–mid-NovemberBJ

Houston Fall Colors

Houston, TX, mid October–early DecemberBK

Fall Colors in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO, late September–early OctoberBL

Napa Valley, CA, mid-October–mid-NovemberBM

Fall Colors in Sedona

Sedona, AZ, mid-October–NovemberBN

Branson, MO, mid-September–November BO

Fall Colors near Los Angeles

Los Angeles, mid October–November BP

South Carolina Fall Foliage

South Carolina, late October–early NovemberBQ

Montana Fall Colors

Montana, mid-September–late OctoberBR

Yellowstone National Park, late September–early OctoberBS

Grand Teton National Park, WY, late September–early October BT

Wyoming Fall Colors

Wyoming, late September–early OctoberBU

Minneapolis–Saint Paul, MN, mid September–late October BV

Chattanooga Fall Colors

Chattanooga, TN, late October–early November BW

Milwaukee, WI, early September – late OctoberBX

Fall Foliage on Cape Cod

Cape Cod, MA, mid-September–late October BY

Fall Foliage in Alabama

Alabama, late October–early NovemberBZ

Idaho Fall Colors

Idaho, early October–mid NovemberCA

Missouri Fall Colors

Midwest, late September–mid-November (best mid-October)CB

Fall Foliage at Talimena National Scenic Drive

Oklahoma, late October–mid-NovemberCC

South Dakota, mid-September– late OctoberCD

Red River Gorge Fall Colors

Kentucky, late OctoberCE

New England Fall Foliage

Massachusetts, late September–early NovemberCF

Kansas City, MO-KS, late October–early November CG

Salt Lake City Fall Colors

Utah, mid-September–early OctoberCH

Shenandoah National Park Fall Foliage

Virginia, OctoberCI

Fall Foliage in Kansas

Kansas, late October– early NovemberCJ

Acadia National Park Fall Colors

Maine, late September–mid-OctoberCK

Hudson Highlands State Park Fall Foliage

New York State, mid-October CL

Lake Placid Fall Foliage

New York State, late September–early October CM

Kenosha Pass Fall Colors

Colorado, late September–early OctoberCN

Lake Geneva Fall Colors

Wisconsin, mid- to late OctoberCO

Big Bear Lake Fall Colors

Los Angeles, late October–early NovemberCP

Deep Creek Lake Fall Foliage

Maryland, OctoberCQ

Lake Wenatchee Fall Colors

Washington, late September–mid-OctoberCR

Squaw Pass Fall Colors

Denver, mid-SeptemberCS

Lake Champlain Fall Foliage

Vermont, early September–late OctoberCT

Lake of the Clouds Fall Colors

Michigan, late September–mid-OctoberCU

Lake Willoughby Fall Foliage

Vermont, early September–OctoberCV

Martinsville Fall Foliage Festival

Indianapolis, IN, October 10–13, 2024CW

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