Your Ultimate Guide to Peak Fall Colors in the United States

Thinking of taking a road trip to see the changing leaves when the fall season arrives? It's a beautiful sight to see!

The Farmers' Almanac is predicting that 2023's fall colors are gonna be some of the most incredible in years. The fall equinox is set to arrive on September 23 at 2:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the Northern Hemisphere.

And we've got the ultimate guide for you to experience the brilliant hues of reds, yellows, and oranges of the leaves. We've compiled a list of potential peak dates in each state so you can maximize your leaf peeping this year and some of the best places to view the colors.

Peak Fall Colors in the United States for 2023:

Alabama: Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Arizona: Oct. 5-21
Arkansas: Oct. 19-Nov. 4; Oct. 12-28 (Ozarks)
California: Oct. 15-31
Colorado: Oct. 5-14
Connecticut: Oct. 12-28
Delaware: Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Florida: Nov. 2-11
Georgia: Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Idaho: Oct. 5-21
Illinois: Oct. 5-21 (Northern); Oct. 12-28 (Southern)
Indiana: Oct. 5-21 (Northern); Oct. 12-28 (Southern)
Iowa: Oct. 5-21
Kansas: Oct. 5-21 (Northern); Oct. 12-28 (Southern)
Kentucky: Oct. 5-21 (Eastern); Oct. 12-28 (Western)
Louisiana: Nov. 2-11

Maine: Oct. 1-17 (Inland); Oct. 5-21 (Coastal)
Maryland: Oct. 12-28 (Inland); Oct. 19-Nov. 4 (Coastal)
Massachusetts: Oct. 5-21 (Inland); Oct. 12-28 (Coastal)
Michigan: Oct. 1-17 (Northern); Oct. 5-21 (Southern)
Minnesota: Oct. 1-17 (Northern); Oct. 5-21 (Southern)
Mississippi: Oct. 19-Nov. 4
Missouri: Oct. 5-21 (Northern); Oct. 12-28 (Southern)
Montana: Sept. 28-Oct. 9 (Central); Oct. 5-21 (Western)
Nebraska: Oct. 5-21
Nevada: Oct. 12-28
New Hampshire: Sept. 28-Oct. 9 (Inland); Oct. 5-21 (Coastal)
New Jersey: Oct. 12-28 (Inland); Oct. 19-Nov. 4 (Coastal)
New Mexico: Sept. 28-Oct. 9
New York: Sept. 28-Oct. 28
North Carolina: Oct. 12-28 (Inland); Oct. 19-Nov. 4 (Coastal)
North Dakota: Oct. 5-21
Ohio: Oct. 5-21
Oklahoma: Oct. 26-Nov. 4
Oregon: Oct. 12-28
Pennsylvania: Oct. 5-21
Rhode Island: Oct. 12-28
South Carolina: Oct. 19-Nov. 4
South Dakota: Oct. 5-21

Tennessee: Oct. 12-28
Texas: Nov. 2-11
Utah: Oct. 5-21
Vermont: Sept. 24-Oct. 10 (Northern); Oct. 5-14 (Southern)
Virginia: Oct. 12-28 (Inland); Oct. 19-Nov. 4 (Coastal)
Washington: Oct. 12-28
West Virginia: Oct. 5-21
Wisconsin: Oct. 5-14
Wyoming: Oct. 5-14

In addition, we've also included a map of the peak times to see the fall colors (see below). (You're welcome.)

2023 fall colors leaf map of united states peak times — Map of 2023 Fall Leaf Colors Peak Times
Courtesy of Farmers' Almanac

Best Places in the United States to See the Fall Colors for 2023:

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C.)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the Midwest/Great Lakes (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the Southeast (Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the North Central (Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho)

Top Destinations to See Fall Colors in the Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona)

Are you excited for the fall season to arrive? Will you be visiting a national park or other destination to take in the beautiful changing leaves? Share your photos and videos with us! Happy fall!

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