Here’s When Peak Leaf Peeping Is Hitting Your State
I’m getting ahead of myself, but I’m ready for crisp, fall days — and with it, peak leaf-peeping season. The changing leaves are a gorgeous visual reminder of the cozy autumn traditions ahead — and what better way to enjoy your fall simmer pots or your favorite apple picking orchard than with nature’s best fall foliage show on display? Luckily for me, the 2025 Fall Foliage Map from Explore Fall predicts exactly when fall foliage in my area will be as gorgeous as possible, and I’m so ready.
When Will Leaves Change Color in 2025?
According to the map, the leaves will begin changing color as early as August in northern, higher elevation areas like Alaska. Meanwhile, many Southern states won’t see their green leaves turning until mid-November. Most regions only have to wait until October to get an area’s fall foliage in its full glory. Most of the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Western states will peak at this time.
To read the map, you should understand that yellow hues denote low color, bright orange denotes moderate color, and burnt orange denotes high/peak color. Meanwhile, peak color and past peak color are represented by red and black, respectively. As you slide the bar across the bottom, you can see when foliage peaks in each area by week.
Where Can I See Fall Foliage in the U.S.?
This year’s fall foliage map shows where you can see the most vibrant colors in your hometown, as well as where to travel to get the best leaf-peeping seats in the house in 2025.
The Regions that Will See Mid-September Peaks
Starting in mid-September, people hunting changing leaves can expect low color in Northern states running along the border of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the top of Maine. There will also be some moderate color affecting certain small communities in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.
The Regions with Early October Peaks
Things are much more colorful once October 1 hits. The Northern states will have transitioned to moderate color status, and low color will start spreading down Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, and New Mexico.
The Northeast states, which are famous for their fall foliage, will also start getting some early color changes, as well as the northern part of the Midwest such as Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. There will also be some peak color (and even past-peak color) in Colorado, the eastern part of California, Idaho, Montana, and Washington.
The Regions with Mid-October Peaks
By October 15, large swaths of the Pacific Northwest, the Northern states, and Colorado will be in past-peak color status. However, these regions as well as the Northeastern states running all the way down to Virginia and North Carolina will start having a much more vibrant show of changing leaves. Southern states will also start seeing some subtle changes within the “low color” zone.
The State with Late October Peaks
As most of the country ends their leaf-peeping season, the tail end of October will see a quick but explosive peak in the Southern states, with some states like Texas, Florida, Southern California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina not getting full color until mid to late November.
Keep in mind that this is an estimate based on daylight, temperature, and past fall foliage data. You’ll want to click on your desired destination to get an exact peak foliage date, and you can check out the Farmer’s Almanac’s list of the best fall foliage destinations if you’re hoping to travel to see the changing colors.
And check out the 2025 Explore Fall Fall Foliage Map here.