Leaf Peeker’s Guide To America’s Fall Foliage

Fall foliage tours and affordable leaf peeping road trips are easy to plan if you use this How-To, Where-To Leaf Peeker’s Guide with tips on the best places to see leaf colors changing. According to Accuweather, uneven rainfall suggests we skip New England, which got too much rain, and the Rockies region, which got too little. Instead, focus your leaf peeping for vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves in the zone that stretches from the interior Northeast and Great Lakes through the Mississippi River Valley. 

“That could extend all the way down to parts of the Ozarks and parts of southern Missouri,” said meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

While you’re out, you’ll probably find a fall festival at your destination to make it a fun day’s outing or, maybe enough harvest events for an entire weekend getaway for the family.

Where and How to See the Leaves Change

Most of the US is open for autumn foliage viewing but some of the states really know how to highlight Mother Nature’s show.

The following states and regions are so proud of their fall foliage and leaf “peeping” or leaf “peeking” (or even leaf “peaking”) season, that they have established several resources to help you determine when the leaves change.

Take advantage of up-to-the-minute websites and mobile apps created by tech-savvy tourism offices to plan your best fall foliage viewing trip ever. These folks are ready to advise travelers on current local conditions of foliage and estimated Peak Leaf Peeking in their area.

Best Times of Year to Leaf Peep

Generally speaking, the prime season for observing fall foliage is from mid-September to late October. The color change generally works its way from north to south — meaning peak leaf viewing earlier in the season in northern areas. Colors appear first in the mountains, and they run from higher elevations to lower elevations — meaning mountainous regions will turn color before nearby valleys.

Directory of Leaf Peeker Hotlines

Here’s FTF’s guide to the key leaf peeking states (some web pages may operate only seasonally.) Plan and work with the local tourism office to find reasonably priced hotels for your family. And keep in mind that the least traffic and best lodging rates will be midweek.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas – check out The Ozarks
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts – Central and Berkshire Mountains
• Michigan
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia – All 469 miles!
• Pennsylvania
• Pocono Mountains – Pennsylvania resort area
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• West Virginia
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
• Wisconsin
• U.S. Forest Service Recreation Maps of all national forest lands

Outside the Box Leaf Peeking: Colorado & California

Remember to think outside the box when it comes to fall foliage travel.

For example, there’s gorgeous foliage on view of a different kind in Grand County, Colorado within an hour’s drive of the Denver Airport. In Colorado, towering mountains (some already snow-capped) frame the golden aspen, orange cottonwood and glittery willows. The occasional moose sighting makes a leaf peeper’s road trip a whole other adventure.

Even the sunny state of California is tooting its foliage horn, with a great blog — California Fall Color manned by dozens of local leaf spotters, who post their observations and photographs daily so that road trippers can find the best view of changing aspen and cottonwood in the state’s diverse terrain.

Moreover, don’t forget that climate change may be responsible for unexpected sights in many areas.

Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Leaf colors change everywhere, even in the heavily forested Ruidoso, New Mexico. They turn color because cooler temperatures and shorter days cause them to stop producing chlorophyll, the natural chemical that makes leaves green. With the green pigment gone, the colorful pigments of other plant substances called carotenoids (yellows and oranges) and anthocyanins (reds) become visible.

Which Leaves are Which Color?

Expect poplar, honey locust, gingko, beech, most birches and chestnut trees to have their leaves turn varied shades of yellow before dropping to the ground. Perhaps the prettiest are the Aspen trees, which turn a vivid gold with slightly different shades on both sides of the leaves.

Typically, the walnut, butternut, catalpa, elm, hickory, linden, sycamore, grey birch, and oak trees turn brilliant shades of rust, green and yellow and often a combination of these.

The beautiful maple leaf is famous for turning a striking shade of red. Sassafras and sumac trees display a gorgeous array of red, orange and purple leaves at their peak leaf-change.

Traveling with anyone who suffers from protanopia or color blindness? The state of Tennessee now offers Color Blind Viewfinders at several scenic locations to assist you in enjoying the splendid show.

Leaf Peeker Tips for Kid Travel

Most families don’t have to travel far or plan a New England leaf-peeping road trip to see the leaves changing near their home, but they do have to plan. That’s especially true on a road trip. Keep in mind that this is a very popular activity. Weekends, you may well be stuck behind a huge tour bus on a narrow mountain road for longer than your back seat crew can tolerate. Be patient.

Michael Day of the University of Maine notes, “Three primary factors influence the intensity of foliage colors during the fall season: photoperiod, cool air and water stress.” Our changing climate has an impact on the last two factors, and makes predicting the peak foliage times much more difficult.

Some General Leaf Peeping Comfort Tips

1. It’s hard to predict optimum leaf coloration. That’s why we recommend you check mapping and traffic apps and Leaf Peeper Hotlines for optimum viewing dates while planning your trip.
2. Plan ahead for peak peeping periods. If you’re committed to a peak New England weekend like Columbus Day, you will have to book a room several weeks in advance of the leaves turning.
3. Save on your budget by planning an early or late season trip. Mid-September hotel rates, plus rates in late October and early November, are much cheaper at local accommodations. Book early with sites like Booking.com.
4. Last but not least, stock up the car using our Car Trip Essentials Guide. Be sure to pack snacks and beverages for the car. Have hand wipes and a potty seat handly if needed. Bring cameras, batteries and Ziploc baggies for leaf collection.

Again, we stress: The roads will be significantly less crowded during midweek visits. Once you decide on your destination, check the tourism office sites to find accommodations in your budget range.