Year calendar · 126 places
Octoberwhat's in season
What's in season in October?
October is fall foliage season at the places we track. Fall foliage is in its usual window at 119 places, the most in the week of Oct 22–31 (71), from Katahdin Woods and Waters (Sep 1–Oct 15) to Wind River (Oct 25–Oct 31). Starting this month: goldenrod in bloom at Iroquois Refuge and bigtooth maple color at Cave Creek Canyon.
Updated Sep 28. Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab), Coronado National Forest, Burro Trail #240 ↗ (opens in a new tab), Coronado National Forest, South Fork Trail #243 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Peaking in October
Fall foliage
119 places in October · 101 start this month
Maine
- Katahdin Woods and WatersLocal timing: Sep 1–Oct 15
- Aroostook RefugeOct 1–Oct 10
- Aroostook State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Bradbury Mountain State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Camden Hills State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Ferry Beach State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Grafton Notch State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Lily Bay State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Mount Blue State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Rangeley Lake State ParkStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
- AcadiaOct 11–Oct 20
- Moosehorn RefugeOct 11–Oct 20
- Rachel Carson RefugeOct 11–Oct 20
Colorado
- Rocky MountainLocal timing: Sep 1–Oct 31
- San Juan SkywaySep 11–Oct 20
- Great Sand DunesSep 21–Oct 10
- Black CanyonStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
New Mexico
- Valles CalderaLocal timing: Sep 1–Nov 30
- Hyde Park RoadOct 1–Oct 7
Wyoming
- YellowstoneLocal timing: Sep 1–Oct 31
Utah
- Bryce CanyonRegional timing: Sep 11–Oct 31
- Capitol ReefRegional timing: Sep 11–Oct 31
- Cedar BreaksRegional timing: Sep 11–Oct 31
- ZionOct 21–Nov 10
Montana
- GlacierLocal timing: Sep 11–Oct 20
- Lost Horse CanyonRegional timing: Oct 1–Oct 31
Vermont
- Smugglers’ NotchStatewide timing: Sep 15–Oct 15
- StoweStatewide timing: Sep 15–Oct 15
- WoodstockStatewide timing: Sep 15–Oct 15
- Missisquoi RefugeOct 1–Oct 10
- Nulhegan BasinOct 1–Oct 10
Idaho
- Lemhi PassLocal timing: Sep 21–Oct 31
Washington
- Washington PassSep 21–Oct 10
- Mountain Loop HighwayStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Wind RiverStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
Minnesota
- Mississippi River, Minneapolis–St. PaulSep 24–Oct 7
- Superior National ForestStatewide: Oct 8–Oct 14
Michigan
- Pictured RocksSep 24–Oct 10
- Au Sable RiverLocal timing: Oct 1–Oct 31
California
- Kaiser Pass RoadLocal timing: Sep 25–Nov 30
- YosemiteOct 11–Oct 31
- Hat Creek RimStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Mount ShastaStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
North Carolina
- Blue Ridge ParkwayOct 1–Oct 31
- Nantahala National ForestStatewide: Oct 15–Oct 21
- Pisgah National ForestStatewide: Oct 15–Oct 21
Arizona
- Cave Creek CanyonLocal timing: Oct 1–Nov 30
- Escudilla MountainOct 1–Oct 7
- San Francisco PeaksOct 1–Oct 31
Kentucky
- Cumberland GapLocal timing: Oct 1–Oct 31
- Mammoth CaveLocal timing: Oct 21–Oct 31
- Daniel Boone National ForestStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
Tennessee
- Great Smoky MountainsOct 1–Nov 10
- Cherokee National ForestOct 11–Nov 10
- Natchez Trace ParkwayLocal timing: Oct 11–Oct 31
- Big South ForkStatewide: Oct 18–Oct 24
New York
- Iroquois RefugeLocal timing: Oct 1–Oct 10
- Allegany State ParkStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Bear Mountain and West PointStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Finger Lakes National ForestStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- IthacaStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Lake GeorgeStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Lake PlacidStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Letchworth State ParkStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- New York CityStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Niagara FallsStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- North-South LakeStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Saratoga SpringsStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Thousand IslandsStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
- Western CatskillsStatewide: Oct 17–Oct 23
New Hampshire
- Crawford Notch and Zealand ValleyStatewide: Oct 4–Oct 10
- Pinkham NotchStatewide: Oct 4–Oct 10
- Waterville ValleyStatewide: Oct 4–Oct 10
- White Mountain National ForestStatewide: Oct 4–Oct 10
- Great Bay RefugeLocal timing: Oct 11–Oct 20
Wisconsin
- Apostle IslandsStatewide: Oct 5–Oct 11
- Chequamegon-NicoletStatewide: Oct 5–Oct 11
- LakewoodStatewide: Oct 5–Oct 11
- Saint Croix RiverwayStatewide: Oct 5–Oct 11
Pennsylvania
- Allegheny National ForestAt one spot: Oct 8–Oct 14
- Erie RefugeOct 11–Oct 20
- Cherry Valley RefugeOct 21–Oct 31
- Bald Eagle State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Black Moshannon State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Cook Forest State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Delaware Water GapStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Hyner View State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Kinzua Bridge State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Laurel HighlandsStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Laurel Hill State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Little Pine State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Ohiopyle State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Pine Creek GorgeStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Sinnemahoning State ParkStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
Virginia
- ShenandoahOct 8–Oct 21
- George Washington and JeffersonOct 11–Oct 31
- Great Dismal Swamp RefugeLocal timing: Oct 21–Oct 31
- Occoquan Bay RefugeLocal timing: Oct 21–Oct 31
Massachusetts
- Assabet River RefugeOct 11–Oct 20
- Fort River DivisionOct 11–Oct 20
- Parker River RefugeLocal timing: Oct 11–Oct 31
Indiana
- Indiana DunesOct 11–Oct 20
- Hoosier National ForestStatewide: Oct 20–Oct 26
Connecticut
- McKinney RefugeOct 11–Oct 31
West Virginia
- Ohio River Islands RefugeOct 11–Oct 20
Ohio
- Cuyahoga ValleyOct 15–Oct 21
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
Maryland
- Patuxent Research RefugeOct 21–Oct 31
- AntietamStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Catoctin MountainStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Fort Frederick State ParkStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Gambrill State ParkStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
- Greenbrier State ParkStatewide: Oct 25–Oct 31
Oregon
- McKenzie PassStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
- Mt. HoodStatewide: Oct 22–Oct 28
Illinois
- Shawnee National ForestStatewide: Oct 24–Oct 30
Texas
- Guadalupe MountainsOct 25–Nov 7
Also in October
Blooms, blossoms and green-up
Starting in October
- Goldenrod in bloom Iroquois Refuge · Oct
Still going at 7 places: wildflowers (2 places), wildflowers on the mogollon rim, wildflowers along rock bridge trail.
Fall color
Starting in October
- Bigtooth maple color Cave Creek Canyon · Oct–Nov
- Crimson glasswort in the salt marsh Parker River Refuge · Oct
- Fall color Acadia · Oct
- Fall color Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina · Oct
- Fall color Cuyahoga Valley · Oct
- Fall color Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee · Oct–Nov
- Fall color Patuxent Research Refuge · Oct
- Fall color around Lake Lowell Deer Flat Refuge · Oct
And 14 more.
Still going at 17 places: fall color across vermont (3 places), apple harvest, herons fly south.
Snow and winter
Starting in October
- First snow flurries possible Canaan Valley Refuge · Oct
- First snow on the dunes Great Sand Dunes · Oct
- First snow possible Saint Croix Riverway · Oct
- Snow in the high country Washington Pass · Oct–May
- Snow on the Bear Lake Trail Rocky Mountain · Oct–Jun
- Snow season Voyageurs · Oct–May
- Winter conditions Katahdin Woods and Waters · Oct–Apr
Out and about
Starting in October
- Barnes Field winter camping, first come Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire · Oct–May
- Beckwith observation area open San Joaquin River Refuge · Oct–Mar
- Birding (leaves off the trees) Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens · Oct–Mar
- Busy season Joshua Tree · Oct–May
- Cars allowed on Feeder Road to the halfway gate Iroquois Refuge · Oct–Feb
- Keys Ranch tours Joshua Tree · Oct–Apr
- Large flocks of ducks and geese Deer Flat Refuge · Oct–Jan
Still going at 81 places: busy season (2 places), cadillac summit road open, cadillac reservations.
Know before you go
Starting in October
- Hunting season (use caution off the sandbars) Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas · Oct–Feb
- Trail Ridge Road closed Rocky Mountain · Oct–May
Still going at 6 places: dutch neck road and allee house area closed, fall archery hunt for deer and turkey, caves closed for bats.
Sources (12)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Coronado National Forest, Burro Trail #240 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- Coronado National Forest, South Fork Trail #243 ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Acadia weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Best fall colors in Cuyahoga Valley ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Canyon View Overlook ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, Fall Colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Leaf Peeping Along the Natchez Trace ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Natchez Trace Parkway fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where is fall foliage in October?
At the places we track: Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine (local timing Sep 1–Oct 15); Rocky Mountain, Colorado (local timing Sep 1–Oct 31); Valles Caldera, New Mexico (local timing Sep 1–Nov 30); Yellowstone, Wyoming (local timing Sep 1–Oct 31); Bryce Canyon, Utah (regional timing Sep 11–Oct 31); Capitol Reef, Utah (regional timing Sep 11–Oct 31); and 113 more on this page.
What should I know before a trip in October?
Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas: hunting season (use caution off the sandbars); Rocky Mountain: trail ridge road closed.