The first day of autumn is just one week away and that means it's time to put the finishing touches on those fall foliage travel plans.
Fortunately, expert forecasts make it so travelers don't have to fly blind when it comes to settling on the most colorful destinations across the U.S.
Travelers can't go wrong exploring northern New England, the Great Smoky Mountains or the Rockies this fall. However, a new interactive map from Explore Fall allows users to view an updated color report and uncover peak timing for destinations across the country.
Users can view the entire U.S. mainland and pinpoint their ideal leaf peeping destinations based on current conditions or peak color estimates or search a specific place to uncover the current hue status and the best time to see the most colors.
Fall colors in Brattleboro, Vermont (Photo Credit: Patrick Clarke)
Perhaps your budget requires you to stay close to home this year. If that's the case, simply search your hometown or a nearby favorite to find the best time to visit for maximum color.
A few regions are already experiencing low color, including the far north parts of places like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as northern Maine, parts of northern Vermont and New Hampshire, areas of Upstate New York, as well as the Rocky and Cascade Mountain ranges.
Many of those places will see peak fall foliage as early as late September and early October, with destinations further south and at lower elevations experiencing peak leaf peeping season in late October and into November.
For those looking to enjoy the season's vibrant colors without the heavy crowds, there are even a handful of places flying under the radar in 2025, from Georgia to Arizona.
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