One of the best parts of fall is seeing the leaves change color, encouraging you to soak up the remaining warmth and sunlight before winter arrives. But determining exactly when the leaves will start to change can be a real struggle.
If you live in Oregon, for example, you’re probably used to seeing the leaves drop towards the middle or end of October. But take a trip down to Florida in November, and you might be surprised to see that fall colors are just barely starting to show.
If you want to complete your dream fall foliage road trip, go sightseeing at a national park in autumn, or ensure you know exactly when you can expect changing leaves, you don’t have to leave it all up to guesswork.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its predictions for peak fall foliage in every region of the U.S. in 2025—plus a few viewing tips that will help you make the most of the season.
West and Midwest
If you’re in the West or Midwest, you can expect fall colors to arrive (and depart) relatively early. Late September is when you’ll start to see fall colors appear, with the peak coming soon after. The Old Farmer’s Almanac estimates that October 4 will spell the end of fall for many areas in the West and Midwest, with leaves in some places already having entirely dropped by this date.
Over in the Pacific Northwest specifically, however, you’ll have a little bit longer to view fall colors. The Almanac predicts that this area will reach peak fall color around October 11.
Northeast
New England will enter peak fall color around October 11. This is one of the best fall foliage viewing locations in the entire U.S., so if you’re planning a nature-immersed fall road trip, early to mid-October is your best bet.
As for the rest of the Northeast, you’re likely to see peak colors anywhere from late September to the middle of October, based on the Old Farmer’s Almanac data collected in 2024. The top half of the U.S. tends to see fall foliage peak much faster than the lower half, so you can expect to enjoy some fall colors as early as the first week of September.
By the end of September, most of the region will be enjoying the fall foliage. During the last week of October, it’s likely that we’ll see the Northeast lose all of its fall colors.
Southwest
In the Southwest, fall colors typically begin in most areas around the end of October. In 2024, some areas of the Southwest experienced fall foliage a bit earlier, typically around the end of September or the beginning of October.
But states in the lower part of the U.S. generally see fall foliage peak in the later months, with a majority peaking during the last week of October and the first week of November in 2024. We can likely expect the same pattern to reappear this year.
Southeast
In the Southeast, fall colors really pick up in October, and in some areas, they will continue through the month of November. The Southeast tends to be one of the last regions in the U.S. to experience fall foliage, with some areas just starting to see fall color in November.
In some parts of Florida, fall foliage continued all the way into December in 2024. While it can’t predict precisely what will happen this year, the Old Farmer’s Almanac tends to notice similar fall foliage trends year after year. So, we can expect 2025’s fall foliage map to look similar to what we saw last year.
Fall Foliage Viewing Tips
Believe it or not, fall foliage at its finest only lasts from seven to 10 days. Of course, fall colors in one general area last longer than this, as each tree can start to change color and drop its leaves at different times.
That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on the fall foliage map. This can help you pre-plan a day trip to your favorite hikes or viewpoints.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has also estimated the peak leaf dates of a wide range of popular leaf-viewing spots. The list includes favorites like Acadia National Park, the Adirondack Mountains, Grand Teton National Park, and the Smoky Mountains.
And don’t forget that high winds can interrupt your leaf-viewing experience. During heavy winds or rain, trees can shed their leaves prematurely, which may alter your plans for viewing foliage.
Read more at Better Homes & Gardens
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