When do the fall leaves change color? This interactive map shows a full-bloom timeline for autumn foliage
Tomorrow, the arrival of September kicks off the meteorological fall in the Northern Hemisphere, and on September 23, astronomical fall arrives. That means that over the next several weeks—and well into October and November—most of the United States will begin to see an explosion of colors as leaves make their annual change from green to golden orange and red. But precisely when the leaves will…
As September arrives, marking the meteorological transition to fall in the Northern Hemisphere, the arrival of astronomical fall on September 23 signals the start of the annual leaf color transformation. Throughout the following weeks, most of the United States will witness the vibrant display of autumn colors, ranging from golden orange to deep red.
However, the exact timing of these color changes varies depending on the geographic location within the country. To determine when you can expect peak fall foliage in your area, an interactive map provided by Explore Fall offers a helpful solution. This map covers the contiguous 48 states and allows users to navigate through the year using a slider, ranging from September 1 to December 31.
By moving the slider, the map updates and displays the expected leaf color in different regions on specific dates. This year, Explore Fall has also introduced a location-specific fall forecast tool. By entering a U.S. city, users can access a dashboard displaying current foliage conditions, peak fall colors, and timing recommendations for optimal foliage viewing.
The peak colors in 2026 will vary depending on elevation and latitude. For instance, parts of Wyoming can experience peak colors as early as September 24, while Dallas will witness the same by the end of November. Popular Northeastern locations, such as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, will have their peak season from October 7 to October 16.
The leaf color spectacle spreads across the country, with Wyoming and Colorado leading the charge in September, and northern states like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Maine peaking in early October. As the season progresses southward, New York, South Dakota, Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania will reach peak colors from mid- to late-October, while Missouri, southern Illinois, and Tennessee will peak in early November.
The southern parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia will follow in mid-November, while late November brings peak colors to central Texas and the southern regions of Florida. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, autumn also presents business opportunities. Fashion retailers shift from summer to winter collections, home goods stores stock seasonal items, and popular coffee and food chains introduce pumpkin-flavored treats, including pumpkin spice.
Additionally, Halloween spending has been on the rise, with $13.1 billion spent in 2025, a notable increase of nearly $1.5 billion over 2024's $11.6 billion.
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