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Updated Sep 28
Pictured: Hoosier National Forest, Indiana · typical peak look

Fall foliage near Indianapolisday trips within 250 miles

Where can I see fall foliage near Indianapolis?

We track 6 fall foliage places within 250 straight-line miles of Indianapolis, in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee. The nearest is Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, about 116 miles away (statewide: usually well under way by late October). Indiana Dunes usually starts first (Oct 11–20) and Mammoth Cave ends last (Oct 21–31).

Updated Sep 28. Sources: USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Visiting Mammoth Cave in fall ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Pick your week

Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.

Week of Oct 11

  • Usually peaking this week
  • Other weeks

Usually in peak the week of Oct 11

By distance from Indianapolis

Straight-line miles; roads are longer
  1. 116 miHoosier National Forest, IndianaStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  2. 136 miIndiana DunesUsually Oct 11–20
  3. 179 miMammoth CaveLocal timing: Oct 21–31
  4. 186 miDaniel Boone National Forest, KentuckyStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  5. 193 miShawnee National Forest, IllinoisStatewide: usually well under way by late October
  6. 242 miBig South ForkStatewide: usually well under way by late October

Questions people ask

What's the closest fall foliage to Indianapolis?

Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, about 116 straight-line miles away. Statewide: usually well under way by late October.Source: USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the best week for fall foliage near Indianapolis?

Usually the week of Oct 18: 6 of the 6 places with timing are in their usual window then (Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, Indiana Dunes, Mammoth Cave and Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky and more). A season can run early or late.Sources: USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Visiting Mammoth Cave in fall ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where does the fall color season start first near Indianapolis?

Indiana Dunes (136 miles): usually Oct 11–20.Source: National Park Service, Indiana Dunes things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How far are these places from Indianapolis?

From 116 to 242 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 0 are within 100 miles.