2026 Fall Foliage Map and Forecast

Planning a fall getaway in 2026? Timing is everything when it comes to peak fall color. Use The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s 2026 Fall Foliage Map and Forecast to find when fall leaves are expected to reach their brightest colors across the United States.

Whether you’re planning a scenic drive through New England, a leaf-peeping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, or an autumn weekend closer to home, you’ll find expected peak timing, regional forecasts, and practical planning tips to help you make the most of the season.

2026 Fall Foliage Map

Use the interactive Fall Foliage Map to see when peak leaf season typically reaches different parts of the United States. Move the slider week by week to explore how fall color progresses across the country and plan the best time to visit.

2026 Fall Foliage Forecast

Every autumn is unique—but the season follows familiar patterns.

Based on historical foliage patterns, the best leaf-peeping in 2026 is expected to begin in late September in northern states and higher elevations before gradually moving south through October and into early November. The interactive map above illustrates this typical seasonal progression and helps you plan your trip.

Even in a typical year, Mother Nature has the final say. Temperature, rainfall, and early frosts can shift peak color by several days and influence how brilliant the display becomes. As your trip draws closer, check local foliage reports to catch the leaves at their best.

Peak Fall Color by Region

Use this quick guide to compare typical peak timing across the country before exploring the detailed regional forecasts below.

*Peak timing varies widely across the West depending on elevation and latitude.

Regional Fall Foliage Forecasts

Every autumn is a little different, but the season follows familiar patterns. Explore the regional forecasts below to help choose the best time to visit your favorite fall destinations.

New England

New England is typically one of the first regions in the United States to reach peak fall color, with foliage gradually unfolding from late September through October.

Maine: More than a decade of foliage reports show peak color has remained remarkably consistent, generally occurring from late September through mid-October.

New Hampshire: Peak foliage is typically observed across the state between September 26 and October 31, with different regions reaching peak color at different times. The Kancamagus Highway is one of the country’s best-known fall foliage drives.

Vermont: Peak foliage generally occurs before mid-October. Popular destinations include Green Mountain National Forest and Route 100, where brilliant displays of red maples, golden birch, and bronze beech define a classic New England autumn.

Planning Tip: Choose your destination—not your dates. Different parts of New England reach peak color at different times, with higher elevations typically peaking before lower elevations.

Mid-Atlantic

The Mid-Atlantic typically reaches peak fall color after New England, with many destinations seeing their brightest displays from mid- to late October.

New York: Peak fall color generally occurs in mid- to late October.

Pennsylvania: Fall color typically progresses from late September through October. Popular destinations include Allegheny National Forest and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

Virginia: Peak fall foliage generally occurs between October 10 and 31, with Shenandoah National Park typically reaching peak color between October 10 and 20.

Planning Tip: Peak color gradually moves south across the region, while mountain destinations typically reach their best color before nearby valleys.

Great Lakes & Midwest

Across the Great Lakes and Midwest, peak fall color generally arrives during October, although timing varies by location.

Michigan: In northern Michigan, fall color usually peaks during the last week of September through the first 10 days of October, with southern Michigan reaching peak later. Popular destinations include M-22 Scenic Drive and the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Wisconsin: Peak fall color often begins in late September in northern Wisconsin before gradually reaching southern counties during mid- to late October.

Minnesota: Peak color generally begins around September 29 in northern Minnesota and progresses south through October 31.

Ohio: Northern and central Ohio typically reach peak color around the third week of October, with southern Ohio following during the last week of October.

Missouri: Peak fall color usually occurs around mid-October. Popular destinations include Mark Twain National Forest and the Ozark Highlands Trail.

Planning Tip: Planning a road trip? Follow the color north to south as the season progresses.

Southern Appalachians

The Southern Appalachians enjoy one of the country’s longest fall foliage seasons, with elevation playing a major role in when peak color arrives.

Great Smoky Mountains: Lower and middle elevations (below 4,000 feet) commonly reach their most brilliant fall color between mid-October and early November.

Tennessee: In East Tennessee, leaves generally begin changing in early October and peak around the third week of the month. Middle and West Tennessee typically begin changing in mid-October and peak around Halloween.

North Carolina: Peak fall color can occur anywhere from late September through late November, depending on location and elevation.

Planning Tip: Timing depends more on elevation than the calendar. Higher elevations peak first, while valleys often continue showing color for several weeks afterward.

West

Fall color arrives earliest in the mountains of the West, with timing varying widely by elevation and location.

Colorado: In Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, 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.

Utah: Peak fall color generally unfolds from mid-September through October, with higher elevations changing first. Popular destinations include Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Mirror Lake Highway, and Mount Nebo Loop.

Oregon: Peak fall color generally unfolds during October, with mid-October often bringing the brightest displays. Popular destinations include Mt. Hood National Forest, Willamette National Forest, and Deschutes National Forest.

Washington: Peak fall color generally unfolds during September and October, with mountain larches turning first and lower-elevation maples reaching their best color later in the season. Popular destinations include Gifford Pinchot and Olympic National Forests.

Planning Tip: Nearby destinations can reach peak color weeks apart. Check local conditions before you travel.

Fall Foliage FAQs

When is peak fall foliage in 2026?

The best leaf-peeping is expected to begin in late September in northern states and higher elevations before gradually moving south through October and into early November. Use the Fall Foliage Map above to explore expected peak timing across the country.

How long does peak foliage last?

Peak fall color usually lasts about one week in a given location, although weather conditions can shorten or extend the viewing window. Planning a leaf-peeping trip during that window offers the best chance to enjoy the brightest fall colors.

What affects the timing of peak foliage?

Weather plays the biggest role in both the timing and brilliance of fall leaves. Sunny days, cool nights, adequate rainfall, and the absence of strong winds often produce the brightest displays, while drought, heavy rain, or an early frost can shorten the season or reduce color intensity.

Does elevation affect peak fall color?

Yes. Higher elevations cool sooner in autumn, so they generally reach peak fall color before nearby valleys. That’s why mountain destinations often begin changing before surrounding lower elevations.

Is fall foliage better in the morning or afternoon?

For photography, morning light creates softer colors and less glare, while late afternoon light adds warmth and depth to reds, oranges, and golds. For the brightest colors, visit on a clear, calm day.

What will fall colors be like in 2026?

Most regions are expected to experience near-average peak fall color in 2026. However, late-summer and autumn weather will ultimately determine exactly when fall leaves reach their brightest colors.

Is climate change affecting fall foliage?

Scientists and land managers have observed that warming temperatures are beginning to influence fall foliage in some regions. While historical peak timing remains a reliable planning guide, warmer autumns and more frequent weather extremes may affect when fall leaves change color, how long peak color lasts, and how vibrant the display becomes. Learn more: The Rise and Fall of Foliage.

What is fall foliage?

Fall foliage is the seasonal color change of deciduous tree leaves during autumn. As daylight decreases and temperatures cool, fall leaves turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red before falling for the winter. Learn more: Why Do Leaves Change Color?.

Planning Your Fall Trip?

Planning your route? Explore The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s 2026 Fall Weather Forecast for a broader look at expected temperature and precipitation patterns that could influence fall foliage across the country.