Erie Refugefall foliage
No reports yet this season for Erie National Wildlife Refuge. It usually peaks Oct 11–20.
Right now in Erie Refuge · September
13days to the next fall foliage seasonusually Oct 11–20
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 12:01 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Erie National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Spring wildflowers on the Trolley Line TrailApr–May
- Yellow leaves against evergreensOct
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Tsuga TrailDec–Feb
Best spots around Erie National Wildlife Refuge
- Reitz's Pond observation blindOn Boland/Ritchie Road in the Sugar Lake Division, for wildlife and leaf peeping
- Deer Run Accessible Spur TrailQuarter-mile spur to a roofed deck over Pool 9 with benches and spotting scopes
- Tsuga TrailTwo loops at headquarters over stream and beaver-pond bridges into hemlock thickets
- Trolley Line TrailOld railroad grade in the Seneca Division, known for wildflowers
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Mid-Atlantic, sugar maple and flowering dogwood are behind a typical year; the rest are close to typical. Which trees turn when →
Erie Refuge in pictures
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge wildlife watching (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Erie National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Oct 11–20. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.
How is the fall color in Erie National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 13 days (usually Oct 11–20).
What does fall look like here?
Mid-October, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service: yellow American beech, black cherry and striped maple against dark green evergreens.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the refuge on Lake Erie?
No. It is in Crawford County, about 35 miles south of the city of Erie.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is wildlife most active?
Early morning and toward dusk.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge wildlife watching ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is it open?
Outdoor areas are open all year, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Erie National Wildlife Refuge?
Reitz's Pond observation blind: on Boland/Ritchie Road in the Sugar Lake Division, for wildlife and leaf peeping; Deer Run Accessible Spur Trail: quarter-mile spur to a roofed deck over Pool 9 with benches and spotting scopes; Tsuga Trail: two loops at headquarters over stream and beaver-pond bridges into hemlock thickets; Trolley Line Trail: old railroad grade in the Seneca Division, known for wildflowers.
What is Erie National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring wildflowers on the Trolley Line Trail (Apr–May), Yellow leaves against evergreens (Oct) and Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Tsuga Trail (Dec–Feb).