Peak Fall Foliage 2026: When Leaves Peak, State by State
Fall color peaks first in the north and in the mountains, then moves south and downhill. Northern New England and the high Rockies peak in late September and early October. Most of the Northeast, the Great Lakes and the Midwest peak in mid to late October. The Southern Appalachians, including the Great Smoky Mountains, peak from mid-October into early November, and the Southeast comes last, in early to mid-November. In any one place, peak color usually lasts about a week.
Where it's peaking this week (October 6)
- New York: near-peak and some peak color in parts of the Adirondacks; leaves are at the midpoint of change in much of the Catskills and the Capital-Saratoga region (I LOVE NY report for September 30 to October 6).
- Pennsylvania: bright color developing across the northern tier counties and along Laurel Summit; cold nights this week will push the change along, and "the best colors are still to come" (DCNR report for October 1 to 7).
- Northern New England: this is the normal peak window for the northern mountains of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Southern and coastal New England are still to come.
Typical peak by state
These are the usual windows, based on past seasons. Higher ground in each state peaks first.
| State or area | Typical peak |
|---|---|
| New England | |
| Maine | North: last week of Sept to first week of Oct. Central and western mountains: first to second week of Oct. Coast and south: mid to late Oct |
| New Hampshire | Late Sept to mid-Oct. White Mountains: early to mid-Oct. Lakes Region and Monadnock: later in Oct |
| Vermont | Northeast Kingdom and high elevations: late Sept. Central Vermont and the Champlain Valley: early to mid-Oct |
| Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island | Mid to late Oct |
| Mid-Atlantic | |
| New York | Adirondacks: late Sept to early Oct. South through Oct. New York City and Long Island: into early Nov |
| Pennsylvania | North and high ground: from late Sept. Rest of the state: through Oct |
| Virginia | Blue Ridge: mid-Oct. East: late Oct. Shenandoah National Park: usually Oct 10 to 20 |
| Great Lakes and Midwest | |
| Michigan | Upper Peninsula: late Sept. Northern Lower Peninsula: early Oct. South: late Oct |
| Wisconsin | North: late Sept. Central: mid-Oct. South: late Oct |
| Minnesota | North Shore and the north: late Sept. South: through Oct |
| Ohio | North and central: mid-Oct. South: late Oct |
| Missouri | North: mid-Oct. Ozarks: late Oct to early Nov |
| Southern Appalachians | |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Highest peaks: early Oct. Lower elevations: late Oct to early Nov |
| Tennessee | East Tennessee mountains: from late Sept, moving downhill through Oct. Middle and West: late Oct to early Nov |
| North Carolina | Highest elevations: late Sept. Blue Ridge: through Oct. Foothills: early Nov |
| Ohio Valley, central US, interior Mid-Atlantic | Late Oct to early Nov |
| South | |
| Most of the Southeast and Gulf states | Early to mid-Nov |
| South Florida, warm Gulf Coast, desert lowlands, Hawaii | Little fall color, or very local |
| West | |
| Colorado | Mid-Sept to mid-Oct (aspens, higher elevations first) |
| Utah | From mid-Sept up high, through Oct |
| Oregon | October, brightest around mid-Oct |
| Washington | Sept and Oct: mountain larches first, lowland maples later |
Sources: The Old Farmer's Almanac 2026 foliage forecast for individual states, and the Farmers' Almanac 2026 map for the regional bands, including Maine Forest Service guidance.
What to expect in 2026
Both almanacs expect most places to peak close to their usual dates. The Farmers' Almanac forecast says the 2026 season looks strongest in the central Appalachians, where moisture and cool mountain nights favor vivid color. It expects good color across much of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley and Southeast, but more uneven or short-lived displays in parts of the Upper Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, the northern tier and the Deep South, because of heat and drought stress. These are forecasts: a warm spell, heavy rain or strong wind can shift or shorten the show.
Pennsylvania's forestry agency reports that summer and September rain refreshed drought-stressed forests there, which bodes well for color.
Check the live reports before you go
Peak can move by several days from year to year, so look at a weekly report a few days before your trip:
- New York (I LOVE NY): from more than 100 volunteer observers, issued every Wednesday afternoon for the coming weekend.
- Pennsylvania (DCNR): weekly reports from state foresters.
- Vermont foliage forecast: the state tourism department's forecaster.
Famous fall drives, by when to go
- Late Sept to early Oct: Maroon Bells, Colorado; Michigan's Upper Peninsula; Minnesota's North Shore.
- Early to mid-Oct: the Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire; Route 100, Vermont; the Adirondacks, New York; M-22 and the Tunnel of Trees in northern Michigan; the high stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Mid to late Oct: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia; the Catskills and Hudson Valley, New York; Hocking Hills, Ohio; Door County, Wisconsin.
- Late Oct to early Nov: the lower elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, including Cades Cove; the North Carolina foothills; the Missouri Ozarks.
Tips for the best color
- Choose your place, not your date. If your dates are fixed, go where peak will be. Head north or uphill early in the season, south or downhill later.
- Go on a clear, calm day. Sunny days and cool nights make the brightest colors; wind and heavy rain strip leaves fast.
- Shoot early or late. Morning light is softer; late afternoon light warms up reds and golds.
- Avoid peak weekends if you can. Popular drives fill up on Saturdays and Sundays at peak; weekdays are much quieter.
Making a season of it? Our fall bucket list has more ideas, and the Hunter's Moon rises over the late foliage on October 26.
Quick answers
When is peak fall foliage in 2026?
From late September in the far north and the mountains to mid-November in the South. Most of the Northeast and Midwest peak in October.
When do the leaves peak in New England?
Northern Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont from late September to mid-October; southern New England in mid to late October.
When is peak foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains?
The highest peaks turn first in early October. Lower elevations, including most of the park's valleys, peak from late October into early November.
How long does peak foliage last?
About a week in any one spot, less if a storm or strong wind hits.
Why do leaves change color?
As days shorten and nights cool, trees stop making green chlorophyll. The yellow and orange pigments that were there all along show through, and some trees, like red maples, make new red pigments.
