Texasfall foliage
When does fall color peak in Texas?
Fall color usually peaks from late October to early December across the 2 Texas places we track. Guadalupe Mountains usually Oct 25–Nov 7, per National Park Service and Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas usually Nov 21–Dec 10, per National Park Service. The next season starts in ~4 weeks.
Updated Sep 28. Sources: National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains fall colors ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Places in Texas
- Guadalupe Mountains
Usually Oct 25–Nov 7 · starts in ~4 weeks
- Big Thicket National Preserve
Usually Nov 21–Dec 10 · starts in ~8 weeks
- Usual window (from each place's own source)
Official reports
- Sep 26Park ServiceBest color the last week of October and first week of November; crowds; hiking requiredSource (opens National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains fall colors in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceNo gas for 35 milesSource (opens National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains basic information in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceMcKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin 2.3 miles; Devil's Hall 2.1 miles; Smith Spring loop 2.3 milesSource (opens National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains trails in a new tab)
Show all 5
- Sep 26Park Service9 miles round trip through McKittrick CanyonSource (opens National Park Service, Hike the Notch in a new tab)
- Sep 26Park ServiceHottest June–August; rainy May–September; snow and freezing fog December–JanuarySource (opens National Park Service, Guadalupe Mountains weather in a new tab)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Texas in 2026?
It depends on the place. In a typical year: Guadalupe Mountains, Oct 25–Nov 7 and Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas, Nov 21–Dec 10. Each place page has its own dates.
Where can I see fall foliage in Texas?
We track 2 places: Guadalupe Mountains (usually Oct 25–Nov 7) and Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas (usually Nov 21–Dec 10).
How long does the fall foliage season last in Texas?
Across the places we track, from about Oct 25 (Guadalupe Mountains) to Dec 10 (Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas). Each place's own window is shorter.
Why does color come earlier in some places?
Higher ground turns first. In the Great Smoky Mountains, color can start as early as mid-September at the highest elevations, develops above 4,000 feet from early to mid-October, and reaches the lower and middle slopes between mid-October and early November.Source: National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains fall color ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do you track fall foliage?
Each place moves through 6 stages: Still green, First color, Moderate, High color, Peak and Past peak. Every stage we show comes from a dated report with its source, and every forecast lists its sources.