Where to Find the Best Fall Foliage in the US This Year

Drought and wildfire stress could put a damper on the fall foliage in the Rockies and some portions of the East, while New England and portions of California will shine. Here is a look at where you should head this fall to see Mother Nature in all of her glory.

Where to Expect the Colors to Pop This Fall

The fall foliage season is going to be a bit of a mixed bag this year in the U.S. While some areas of the country will explode with colors, other zones will have a poor showing.

Most parts of the country will see the peak colors between late September and the middle of October. The precise timing depends on elevation, location, and recent weather trends.

A wet late spring and early summer paired with drier conditions at the end of the summer is likely to make it a great year for viewing the colors in New England and upstate New York. The Midwest and the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest are also forecast to see dazzling colors this far. The exception will be in the interior portions of the Northwest, a region where long-term drought and ongoing wildfires will dull the display.

Heading down the coast, California is also expected to put on a show this season. This is particularly true for the Sierra Nevada and Northern California.