This fall season will bring beautiful foliage colors to each corner of the country. From September yellows and oranges in Montana to November reds in Texas, Scenic America is proud to protect many of our nation’s most treasured autumn viewsheds. Below is an incomplete list of state and national Scenic Byways and Parks known for their fall colors, as well as the expected peak foliage dates for every region of the country.

End of September, early October

The United States sees its first signs of fall colors beginning to appear along our northern border in September and early October.

In Montana, fall foliage colors can begin as early as the first week of September, and usually peak in the final week of September. Glacier National Park in Crystal Point, MT, is home to trees which will be beautiful shades of yellow and orange from September 16 through October 4 this year.

In Michigan, Isle Royale National Park boasts some of the best leaf peeping opportunities for dedicated explorers. Visitors must travel by boat to reach the park in October, but breathtaking views await those willing to make the trip. September 30 through October 7 is the anticipated peak of fall foliage this season.

Across New England, fall colors are expected to peak in the first week of October this year. In Maine, the Old Canada National Scenic Byway provides particularly stunning views throughout the season. In New Hampshire, the Kancamagus National Scenic Byway is renowned for its fall colors, but only an hour away the John Stark Scenic Byway provides similar views as well as less crowded roads. In New England this season’s peak is also expected from September 30 through October 7.

Mid-October

By mid-October, the United States’ northern border is past its fall foliage peak, and we move into the Midwest and Southeast regions.

In South Dakota, the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway will be colored by its best fall foliage from September 30 through October 23 this season.

In Ohio, foliage season can span the entire month of October. In northern OH, Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides beautiful fall views with this season’s peak expected to be October 1 through 15. In Coal Township, OH, Wayne National Forest also offers fall foliage viewing with this season’s peak expected to be October 21 through 28.

In Colorado, fall colors are expected to peak from October 7 through 21. The San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, specifically the Million Dollar Highway, is known for its beautiful fall colors. Rocky Mountain National Park also provides beautiful views during the fall season for those who prefer to explore on foot.

In Virginia, Shenandoah National Park offers some of the best fall colors with a selection of chestnut, red oak, maple, and other deciduous trees. Across Virginia, this year’s foliage peak is expected from October 14 through 28.

End of October, early November

As we move into November, fall colors hit the Southern, Southwestern, and Western parts of the United States.

In Tennessee and North Carolina, this season’s peak is expected from October 15 through October 30. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spanning between the two states, is home to beautiful fall colors.

In California, fall colors start to appear early in October. Humboldt Redwoods State Park in northern CA is anticipating this season’s peak from October 7 through 28. In southern CA, Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway is one of the best drives for fall foliage, with this season’s peak expected from October 10 through November 4.

In Missouri, the newly established Ozark Run Scenic Byway offers 78 miles of leaf peeping opportunities. After a summer of heavy rain, Missouri is expecting a particularly vibrant fall, with the peak anticipated from October 14 through November 6.

Finally in Texas, fall colors will begin to appear towards the end of October, with the peak expected as late as the third week of November. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Salt Flat, TX, offers stunning fall foliage in a range of reds and yellows. Peak foliage at the national park is expected from October 21 through November 13.

The fall foliage season creates incredibly colorful landscapes across the United States, and when these colors combine with our already beautiful scenic byways and parks, magic happens. We hope everyone will have an opportunity to get out and enjoy this year’s season to its fullest on our beautiful roads and protected public lands.