Arizona Fall Colors 2024

Beautiful foliage complements rocky landscapes of Arizona

Best time: late September–November

Arizona is, indeed, a prime destination for viewing fall colors. While a lot of people might picture Arizona as primarily a desert, the Copper State offers stunning autumn landscapes. Northern Arizona's mountains are adorned with vibrant yellow aspens, while lower elevations feature a mix of trees, such as maples and oaks, that transform into shades of red, bronze, and orange.

Best Time to See Arizona's Fall Colors

Arizona boasts a long and spectacular fall foliage season that begins in late September in the mountains and extends through the end of November in the desert areas. Depending on the weather, some trees may retain their vibrant colors well into December.

Best Places to See Fall Colors in Arizona

The Flagstaff area is one of the most popular leaf-peeping destinations in Arizona. Another fall foliage spot is the White Mountains, located in the Pinetop-Lakeside area in eastern Arizona. And, of course, if you decide to visit the Grand Canyon, fall is an excellent time.

Flagstaff Fall Foliage

The transition from summer to fall, with its dropping temperatures and shorter days, creates perfect conditions for fall foliage viewing in Flagstaff until late October. The colors change first in the high country, where the vibrant yellow aspens contrast beautifully with the dark green spruce and Ponderosa pines, making for stunning photo opportunities. As the month progresses, the foliage at lower elevations also transforms, extending the spectacular display. Due to lush aspen groves, Coconino National Forest is especially scenic in the fall.

The Flagstaff Arboretum offers a convenient and accessible way for the whole family to enjoy fall leaf peeping. Open five days a week, it showcases a collection of northern Arizona's most vibrant, high-elevation, fall-changing flora, ensuring a spectacular display of autumn colors.

Visitors can take the scenic Aspen Nature Loop near the base of Arizona Snowbowl ski resort, an easy 1.8 mi (2.8 km) hike. Everyone can enjoy the stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks covered by aspens. Inner Basin Trail is one of the most popular hikes near Flagstaff. Yellow aspens are very showy, with evergreens on the background along this 3.4 mi (5.4 km) route.

White Mountains

The recreational paradise known as Arizona's White Mountains is located in the Pinetop-Lakeside area of eastern Arizona. This region is home to the largest stand of Ponderosa pine. Hiking and mountain biking are popular year-round activities here. The White Mountains Trail System offers over 200 miles of interconnecting, multi-use trail loops, stretching from Vernon in the east to Clay Springs in the west. This system includes urban trails in Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, and the Wagon Wheel area, connecting to local parks. Several lakes in the area beautifully reflect the foliage, making them perfect for fall-time photography or picnics.

The Grand Canyon

Fall is an excellent time to visit the Grand Canyon. The South Rim, encompassing Grand Canyon Village and Desert View, operates 24/7 year-round, offering most services throughout the entire year. The North Rim, with its abundant aspen groves, particularly in the Kaibab National Forest, offers breathtaking scenery of red rocks and colorful trees. North Rim lodging, restaurants, and campgrounds are open from May 15 through October 15.