- Deciduous plants change color in the fall because there is less daylight, which impacts photosynthesis.
The Farmer’s Almanac, which has been predicting long-range weather outlooks annually since 1818, has released its 2023 fall leaves, peak color forecast.
The autumnal equinox – which officially marks the beginning of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere – signals the beginning of an explosive shift in the landscape to brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange. Days will shrink as the sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier, until the winter solstice.
Here’s what every “leaf-peeper” needs to know to have the best viewing experience.
View every states’ peak fall color dates, predicted by Farmers Almanac, searching the interactive database
When is the autumnal equinox in 2023?
Fall bird migration 2023Swarms of birds will fly over the US soon. Explore BirdCast’s new migration tool to help you prepare.
The fall equinox, which occurs at the same moment worldwide, arrives on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the Northern Hemisphere.
Tips for best fall-colors viewing
- Visit when leaves are near their peak colors, the Almanac suggests.
- Avoid rainy, windy days, when the leaves get soggy.
- Overcast days can make leaf colors standout against muted skies.
Fall foliage map 2023
Farmer’s Almanac best destinations for fall leaves in the U.S.
Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.)
- Rangeley Lakes Region, Maine
- Letchworth State Park, Western New York
- Kancamagus Scenic Highway, Lincoln, New Hampshire
Midwest/Great Lakes (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin)
- Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Kentucky
- Lake Geneva Area, Wisconsin
Southeast (Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida)
- Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
- Mount Cheaha, Alabama
North Central (Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana)
- Fort Ransom State Park, North Dakota
- Estes Park at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)
- Hawksbill Crag, Whitaker Point, The Ozark National Forest, Arkansas
Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho)
- Olympic National Park, Washington
Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona)
- Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Utah
- Big Sur Coast Highway, California
Vote in 10Best: What’s the best destination for fall foliage?
From Oklahoma to Maine, choose your favorite fall foliage spot out of 20 destinations – nominated by an expert panel – to help determine to best place for viewing the entire spectrum of fall colors in the U.S.
Visit USA Today’s 10Best website to vote.
