What's in Season in November: Where to See Fall foliage in the US

What's in season in November?

November is fall foliage season at the places we track. Fall foliage is in its usual window at 13 places, the most in the week of Nov 1–7 (12), from Valles Caldera (Sep 1–Nov 30) to Big Thicket National Preserve (Nov 21–Dec 10). Starting this month: fall color at Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas and brainard lake ski and snowshoe season at Guanella Pass.

Updated Sep 28. Sources: National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Forest Service, Brainard Lake Recreation Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Peaking in November

Each place's usual window, from its own sources

Fall foliage

13 places in November · 3 start this month

12Nov 1–7

9Nov 8–14

5Nov 15–21

4Nov 22–30

New Mexico

Valles CalderaLocal timing: Sep 1–Nov 30

California

Kaiser Pass RoadLocal timing: Sep 25–Nov 30

Arizona

Cave Creek CanyonLocal timing: Oct 1–Nov 30

Tennessee

Great Smoky MountainsOct 1–Nov 10
Cherokee National ForestOct 11–Nov 10

Mississippi

Natchez Trace Parkway, MississippiLocal timing: Oct 15–Nov 20

South Carolina

Congaree National ParkOct 21–Nov 10

Alabama

Little River CanyonOct 21–Nov 10
DeSoto State ParkStatewide: Nov 1–Nov 7
Talladega National ForestStatewide: Nov 1–Nov 7

Utah

ZionOct 21–Nov 10

Texas

Guadalupe MountainsOct 25–Nov 7
Big Thicket National PreserveNov 21–Dec 10

Also in November

From our places' year strips, each with its source

Blooms, blossoms and green-up

Still going at 1 place: wildflowers.

Fall color

Starting in November

Fall color Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas · Nov–Dec

Still going at 9 places: bigtooth maple color, fall color, fall color at canyon view.

Snow and winter

Starting in November

Brainard Lake ski and snowshoe season Guanella Pass · Nov–Apr
Chains required on the Mt. Baker Highway Mountain Loop Highway · Nov–Apr
Deep snow Cedar Breaks · Nov–May
Groomed ski trails, snowshoers welcome Aroostook Refuge · Nov–Apr
Heavy snow Grand Teton · Nov–Apr
Santiam Sno-Park season McKenzie Pass · Nov–Apr
Snow Valles Caldera · Nov–Apr
Snow on the ground Pictured Rocks · Nov–Apr

And 6 more.

Still going at 4 places: winter conditions, snow in the high country, snow on the bear lake trail.

Out and about

Starting in November

Best hiking Death Valley · Nov–Mar
Campgrounds full every night Big Bend · Nov–Apr
Christmas tree permits at Old Station Hat Creek Rim · Nov–Dec
Quiet season: trails only Woodstock, Vermont · Nov–May
River high enough to paddle Little River Canyon · Nov–Apr

Still going at 33 places: cadillac summit road open, rimrock overlook open, south rim road open.

Know before you go

Starting in November

Cradle of Forestry closed Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina · Nov–Apr
Fire Road Trail closed Patuxent Research Refuge · Nov–Jan
Main park road closed to cars Lassen Volcanic · Nov–Apr
McCloud River Loop winter gates Mount Shasta · Nov–Apr
Most roads closed to cars, few services Yellowstone · Nov–Mar
Rain, muddy roads Carrizo Plain · Nov–Apr
State Route 20 closed beyond Ross Lake Trailhead North Cascades · Nov–Apr
Sunburst Campground closed Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina · Nov–Mar

And 2 more.

Still going at 6 places: hunting season (use caution off the sandbars), dutch neck road and allee house area closed, fall archery hunt for deer and turkey.

Sources (12)

Questions people ask

Where is fall foliage in November?

At the places we track: Valles Caldera, New Mexico (local timing Sep 1–Nov 30); Kaiser Pass Road, California (local timing Sep 25–Nov 30); Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona (local timing Oct 1–Nov 30); Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (usually Oct 1–Nov 10); Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee (usually Oct 11–Nov 10); Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Mississippi (local timing Oct 15–Nov 20); and 7 more on this page.

What should I know before a trip in November?

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina: cradle of forestry closed; Patuxent Research Refuge: fire road trail closed; Lassen Volcanic: main park road closed to cars; Mount Shasta: mccloud river loop winter gates; Yellowstone: most roads closed to cars, few services.