See Fall Colors At Their Best In The United States

Fall is, hands down, my favorite time of year. I love the smell of the air, and the gorgeous fall colors of golds, oranges, and reds.

And, judging by how busy campgrounds are in areas where there is a lot of fall color, I’m not the only person who loves autumn.

While on a recent camping trip I was hoping to see lots off all color but was disappointed when I arrived and found out I was about 10 days too early. I should have planned ahead and found out exactly when color was projected to be at its peak or near peak before driving several hours.

So in order to not make that mistake again, I’ve compiled a list of resources for checking on the status of fall color around the United States.

Although the New England area, most notably Vermont, is touted as having the most spectacular color because of their hardwood forests (unlike other areas of the country that also have coniferous trees such as pine trees that don’t shed their foliage in the winter), there are other parts of the country that have nice color and great views.

The fall color peaks in the Northernmost parts of the country in mid to late September or the early part of October.
In the southern areas of the country, such as Alabama, color doesn’t typically peak until late October or early November so there is still plenty of time to plan a scenic fall camping trip to enjoy the colors of nature.

Use the resources below to make sure your excursion is as gorgeous as possible.

NATIONAL WEBSITES

The U.S. Forest Service has links to fall foliage “hotspots” around the country including several national forests, regional reports, and a drop down list of state website with fall color reports. They also have a fall color hotline at 1.800.354.4595.

It’s a one-stop place to check out fall color all around the country with a wealth of up-to-date information including how recent wind and rain storms have affected color (mostly meaning that the leaves have been blown off the trees, shortening the color season), and tips on what roads to travel for the best views.

TheFoliage Network has reports for the Northeast U.S., Southeast U.S., and the Midwest. Reports are updated weekly by volunteer spotters from all over the country (you can sign up to be one yourself if you want). Tip: sign up for the newsletter that sends an e-mail whenever the foliage reports are updated.

This webcam website has links to webcams in several states. Webcams are a great way to see what things are really like in an area. Click on states with orange text for a listing of webcams (ones that have a symbol of a red circle with a line drawn through it are inactive web cams), in that state and check out the colors. There’s also a drop down list of fall foliage websites by state.

BY STATE (If available)

ALABAMA - Sweet Home Alabama Fall Color Trail - Color watchers report on the status of color in their area of the state during October and November. The website is updated weekly. Color typically peaks during late October and the early part of November. Tip: check out the suggested circle tour for a driving route of many of the color hotspots. There’s also a fall foliage hotline at 1.800.252.2262.

ALASKA - The fall color season in Alaska is short with some areas peaking as early as mid-September. The U.S. Forestry Fall Foliage Hotline t 1.800.354.4595 has current
reports for Alaska. To hear it, listen to the entire recorded message without exiting the main menu to a regional report.

ARIZONA - TheArboretum at Flagstaff has a website with fall color status. The BoyceThompson Arboretum, about an hour’s drive from Phoenix, also has information on fall color and encourages people to visit the latter part of November and early December.

ARKANSAS - The state has a network of color spotters in all the regions of the state who supply weekly updates that are compiled into a weekly report that’s posted on the state’s tourism site by 5 pm Central time every week during the fall. The color typically peaks in Arkansas during the latter part of October and the early part of November, but it can change from year to year depending on weather conditions. There’s also a fall foliage hotline at 1.800.628.8725.

The Ozarks are gorgeous in the fall. This website is devoted to the Ozark Mountain area and typically puts up its first foliage report in the middle of October. Peak is usually at the end of October into the early part of November.

CALIFORNIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.916.322.2881. There’s also a
good website from a photographer where people write in with updates from around the state.

COLORADO - Because Colorado doesn’t have the
variety of hardwoods that some other areas of the country has, the fall color
isn’t as varied but it’s still gorgeous. The primary color is bright gold
from the state’s numerous aspen trees. But, there isn’t a big window of
time to see the colors at their best. Color usually peaks in September and
only lasts about a week. For more information check out the
tourism’s fall foliage guide.

CONNECTICUT - Fall foliage hotline number is
1.800.282.6863. The “Visit Connecticut” website has a foliage map, foliage report (from weather.com - another resource for checking out fall color all over the
country), and a detailed listing of scenic drives to take while visiting.

DELAWARE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1-800.441.8846. Although Delaware is thought of as more of a summer seaside destination, the fall color there is nice. Check out the University of Delaware’s fall foliage cam and the foliage network’s color map. Color typically peaks from mid-October into the early part of November.

FLORIDA - The temperate climate of Florida makes it a great destination for snowbirds who are looking for warm weather and lots of sunshine during the winter months but the climate in the state doesn’t make it a great destination for viewing fall color.

GEORGIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.404.656.3590. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest’s color usually peaks in the third week of October and is definitely worth the trip to see it. Click here for the forest’s foliage report. To see the current view from atop Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest mountain, check out the southwebcam andnorth webcam.

HAWAII - Though long a dream vacation destination for most people, it’s not known for its beautiful color in the fall but as a
tropical, sun-kissed destination with some of the best beaches in the world.

IDAHO - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4843. Yellowstone National
Park, Bear Lake, Palisades Reservoir, Upper Mesa Falls, Boise National Forest,
and the Idaho Wine Country are all prime fall color viewing areas. To see
current live views, check out the Hauser Lake and Sawtooth Mountain webcams.

ILLINOIS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.223.0121. Click here for six scenic Illinois fall drives, one of which is part of the famed Route 66. For fall color watch updates, click on the “fall color watch” leaf on the tourism home page.

INDIANA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.289.6646. The tourism websites lets you see the changing colors without ever leaving your home with the leaf cams.

IOWA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.515.233.4110 (recorded message). To see the weekly fall foliage reports, click here. For the best viewing, get off I-80 and take some more scenic routes where you will not only see great fall color but may pass through Amish communities, see geese, and view river valleys.

KANSAS - Contact the tourism bureau for fall travel suggestions and questions about fall color at 1.800.252.6727. While visiting, check out a few of the haunted houses in Kansas City.

KENTUCKY - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.8747. The tourism site has updates on color for us “leaf peepers” and also has video updates that includes info on upcoming fall events. Color typically peaks in the later part of October into November.

LOUISIANA - The fall color is gorgeous along the
western edge of Louisiana along Route 1 and Route 171. View the fallcolors and camp at Kisatchie National Forest. If you’re visiting at the end of October, check out the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport. For vacation planning visit the Louisiana Travel website.

MAINE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.777.0317. Maine’s official fall foliage website has maps, video footage of Maine scenery in the fall, detailed information on the best time to visit the various areas of the state in order to see the best color, driving tours, featured state parks (many with camping facilities), and fall events such as the Scarecrow Festival held at Fort Kent in September.

MARYLAND - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.532.8371. Weekly updates on fall color and upcoming events are on the state’sDepartment of Natural Resources website. Visit Green Ridge State Forest and check out the DNR’s self-guided “Fall Color Tour Guide” which is a guided driving tour of the forest that includes folklore and historical info about the area. The tour is about 30 miles long and takes about three hours. Primitive camping is available at Green Ridge.

MASSACHUSETTS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.227.6277. The state’s tourism website has foliage reports for the Berkshires, Lower Pioneer Valley, Quabbin Reservoir/Upper Pioneer Valley, Central Massachusetts, Blackstone Valley, Merriamck Valley, North Shore, and Greater Boston areas. Tip: take an excursion to Salem, site of the infamous witch hunts, and check out the haunted festivities that take place in October.

MICHIGAN - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.644.3255. Michigan’s official travel website is full of great fall information including: featured fall destinations, a weekly fall color tour with lots of interesting stops along the way (when I visited the site
it featured a 150 mile middle Michigan drive with W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Fort Custer Recreation Area, Sojourner Truth Monument, Fenner Arboretum, as just a few of the suggested stops, a listing of Haunted Houses, campgrounds, gorgeous video, and fall events and festivals. Tip: sign up for the newsletter to receive weekly fall color updates.

MINNESOTA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.657.3700. Peak fall color typically starts the middle of September into early October in the upper one-third of the state; late September to early October in the middle portion of the state; and late September to mid-October for the southern part of the state with one exception - the trees along Lake Superior turn color a week later than the inland trees because of the warming effect of the lake. For fall foliage reports from the state’s “Explore Minnesota” website, click here.

MISSISSIPPI - Before visiting be sure to check the VisitMississippi.org for up to date info on activities and businesses that are open especially if you plan on visiting the Gulf Coast area since there is still cleanup from Hurricane Katrina going on. Visit Holly Springs National Forest in north-central Mississippi, Tombigbee National Forest, or Natchez Trace Parkway for scenic fall viewing. Contact the tourism department at 1.866.733.6477 for questions about the best times to view color in different areas of the state or to request travel brochures.

MISSOURI - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.877.1234. The fall color season can last as long as six weeks starting in mid-September and going until the end of October although peak is usually mid-October when the hardwood trees change color. The Missouri Department of Conservation website has color updates and a link to “routes with a view.”

MONTANA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4868 (call 7 am to 6 pm mountain time Monday through Friday) or call the Forest Service’s fall foliage hotline for up-to-date info at 1.800.354.4595. Late September to mid-October is generally the best time to see peak color. Click here to view a digital image of Crown Point in Bitterroot Valley that’s updated every 30 minutes. Visit Glacier National Park to see the maples, larch, and aspen trees turn varying shades of yellow, orange, gold and red.

NEBRASKA - The home of Arbor Day offers a 50 mile scenic fall foliage tour in the southeastern part of the state in Nebraska City. If you want to see fall color in Nebraska, get off the Interstate and stick to the eastern part of the state as the Western part of the state is all plains and trees are sparse. (The sandhills in western Nebraska are nice, but are not good for fall foliage lovers.)

NEVADA - The mountain and desert areas ensure a long color season that lasts into December in the lower desert although some areas reach their peak by mid-October. The Great Basin National Park is colorful in the fall and offers camping. Call the tourism office at 1.800.638.2328 for fall travel suggestions or visit their website.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.258.3608. With an eye to helping people receive up to date foliage reports wherever they are, the state’stourism website offers foliage alerts for your cell phone. Click here for their signup page. Online foliage reports are available here. Fall is the state’s busiest time of year so make reservations early.

NEW JERSEY - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. The site’s foliage report link goes to the foliage network website; but the Jersey tourism website does have several interesting driving tours including a mountain tour, historic tour, farmlands tour, woodlands tour, pinelands tour, and fun and foliage tour.

NEW MEXICO - The aspen forests offer gold color in the fall and the state’s mountains, deserts, lakes, and forests offer lots to see and do, but it’s not one of the prime states in the U.S. for viewing vibrant fall color.

NEW YORK - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.5697. The Adirondacks in upstate New York is the most popular place in the state to see fall color. Color peaks in the Adirondack Park the last two weeks of September and during the first two weeks of October in the lowland areas surrounding the peaks. Current fall foliage info and scenic drives can be seen here. For a list of campgrounds in the area that are open for fall camping, click here. For foliage info for the entire state, visit New York’s tourism website. Depending what part of the state you visit, the fall color season extends into the first part of November.

NORTH CAROLINA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.847.4862. The tourism website has fall fishing reports (a fun activity during a fall camping trip) in addition to a fall color guide that includes a current foliage guide (Click the North Carolina Fall Guide link on the site’s home page that is front and center on the site during the fall season). For unique ways to see the fall foliage in the state, hop on the Smoky Mountain Railroad train, take part in a Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle Tour, fly above the trees in a hot air balloon ride from Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures, or go Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.

NORTH DAKOTA - The tourism hotline number is 1.800.435.5663 (call during normal business hours to ask for information on fall foliage). For a scenic fall drive, meander down the Chan SanSan Scenie Byway in the James River Valley. As well as being beautiful, it is rich in history and is a good wildlife viewing area. For other fall activities, go to the tourism website’s “what
to do” section, and search by category filling in the “fall foliage” checkbox.

OHIO - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.282.5393. Ohio’s DNR website does a great job at providing up-to-date info on changing colors and has maps and info on camping at the state parks. Leaves usually start changing color in mid-September and peak mid-to-late October.

OKLAHOMA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.652.6552. The state’s tourism website has fall foliage information and several scenic driving suggestions. The state offers a rainbow of fall color against a backdrop of rolling prairies, rivers, granite bluffs, and mesas. For info on hiking, backpacking, and nature trails, click here.

OREGON - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.547.5445. Fall colors peak mid-September to mid-October. Call the hotline for detailed information. Include a drive along the Columbia River Gorge when planning a fall trip to Oregon. Although Oregon is not as popular of a destination in the fall as the New England states, it puts on a pretty good show of vibrant color. While there, check out the Halloween activities and events taking place throughout the month of October.

PENNSYLVANIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.325.5467. Pennsylvania’s fall foliage website is chock full of info. It has fall foliage reports, four foliage cams (although the Bushkill Falls one is currently offline), hiking and biking info, the best places to do bird watching, and lots of traveler submitted photos that are gorgeous.

RHODE ISLAND - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.556.2484. Rhode Island may be a tiny state in the New England area but it has lots of things to see and do in the fall. The state’s tourism website encourage “leaf peepers” to come and enjoy the scenery. Click on the “seasonal page” link on the home page for info about how to best enjoy the fall activities and fall colors throughout the months of September, October, and into November. For foliage reports, there are links to Yankee Magazine,
The Weather Channel, and the Foliage Network.

SOUTH CAROLINA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.849.4766 (call during normal business hours). South Carolina Upcountry is reputed to be the best place in the state to view fall color. Drive the Cherokee Foothill National Scenic Highway for access to several state parks, waterfalls, hiking, wildlife viewing, and spectacular views. Peak color in the area generally starts the second week of October through the end of the month. In the rest of the state, peak foliage usually occurs late October to early November.

SOUTH DAKOTA - Mount Rushmore isn’t the only thing to see in the state. The state’s tourism site offers several suggestions for fall destinations and scenic drives including the Black Hills to see the aspens put on their brilliant gold color show; the Hwy 14A National Scenic Byway to see limestone cliffs, various varieties of trees, wildlife, wildflowers, Spearfish Creek, and waterfalls; or visit Sica Hollow State Park.

TENNESSEE - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.697.4200. For nature lovers, the Great Smoky Mountains are a feast for the eyes in fall. Color usually peaks the latter part of October in the Smoky Mountains but the color season extends into the later part of November in the western part of the state. Click here for weekly foliage reports.

TEXAS - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.791.1112. Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for updates on color at the parks across the state. While there, make a reservation at one of the many campgrounds. The east Texas vacation guide website has detailed information about several scenic driving tours. Color is typically good in that part of the state from mid-October through November.

UTAH - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. The tourism website doesn’t currently offer fall foliage reports but the The U.S. Forest Service has info on the best times and places to see great color. A few of the popular fall driving routes in Utah include Hwy 143 from Brian Head to Panguitch; Hwy 14 to Hwy 89; and Interstate 70 to Gooseberry and into the Fish Lake Basin where it meets with Route 25. Also, with Utah being home to five national parks: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon,Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park - it’s a great place to visit and camp anytime of the year.

VERMONT - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.837.6668. This is the crown jewel of states to view fall color because of the state’s hardwood forests that are set in a backdrop of mountains, along with charming small towns and historic covered bridges. The fall color season usually starts in mid-September and ends about the second week of October. Make camping reservations early since everything fills up quickly. There are several websites for foliage reports: one from VermontVacation.com; one from foliage-vermont.com; and one from Vermont’s tourism site where you’ll also find fall travel tips, a foliage forecaster, recommended scenic drives, an insider’s guide, and a lodging forecaster.

VIRGINIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.434.5323 and will give you a recorded message on current color conditions around the state and advises when the next update will be available. The state’s travel website has a special fall section where there is a color change slider to see when nature is expected to put on it’s annual color show; and a weekly recorded fall foliage report from Forester Tim.

The Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Highlands, and Heart of Appalachia are all popular fall destinations with the Shenandoah Valley being noted for a great place to get some stunning pictures.

WASHINGTON - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.354.4595. Washington State is full of evergreen trees but there is still some fall color from shrubs and bushes. The state’s huckleberry bushes turn deep red in the fall while the bush like mountain ash tree has foliage that turns yellow to orange. But, the breathtaking mountain views make up for the lack of vibrant fall color.

WEST VIRGINIA - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.225.5982. The West Virginia tourism website has fall foliage updates that are updated weekly. The state’s forestry website also has foliage reports along with a map showing how close to peak (or past peak) it is in every part of the state. West Virginia, like Vermont, has a wide variety of hardwood tree species in their forests making it one of the best places in the country to see vibrant fall color. Interesting thing to read: scoll to the bottom of the foliage report page to see what colors the leaves change to on different varieties.

WISCONSIN - Fall foliage hotline number is 1.800.432.8747. This number connects to the state’s tourism office where a “live” person will answer the phone and offer up to date fall color information in any part of the state. The tourism bureau also has a website with a fall color meter and a link to sign up for a weekly e-mail report along with scenic drive suggestions. And, for shutterbugs, photos can be submitted to possibly be included in the online photo gallery.

WYOMING - Call the Tourism Bureau for information on fall color at 1.800.225.5996. For fall trip ideas from the tourism bureau, click here.