John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints

Autumn Foliage (Fall Foliage) in the USA and Canada

Introduction

The information on this page has been gathered from various sources and the accuracy of each statement cannot be guaranteed.

The red and yellow colouring of the leaves in North America is more intense than in Europe, and the scientific reason for this is apparently something to do with the difference in the way the temperature drops during the autumn period.

Naturally the trees turn colour first in the north.

Although New England has the reputation for being the best region for autumn foliage, many other forested areas of the USA and Canada can compete with it. The USA's numerous National Forests are obvious areas to explore for autumn foliage displays.

Accommodation may need to be reserved well in advance in the most popular areas of New England.

Newspapers often publish articles and maps showing the best areas for seeing autumn foliage at the appropriate time of the year, and in some cases this information also appears on their web sites. Some states also have telephone numbers for information.

The United States Forest Service provides a toll-free phone number for fall foliage information: 1-800-354-4595.

Not all the web site addresses listed here have been checked. Some may not be permanent; some may only be available during the appropriate season of the year.

Alabama

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Arkansas

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

California

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Connecticut

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Tel: 1-800-282-6863.

Colorado

Best areas: western Colorado.

Indiana

Best time (northern Indiana): early to mid-October.

Maine

Best time (central Maine): early to mid October.

Best time (northern Maine): the leaves start to turn colour mid to late September.

Web site: Visit Maine - Fall Foliage

Tel: 1-800-533-9595.

Massachusetts

Best areas: US7 and nearby roads in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts - highly recommended.

Web site: Massachusetts Vacation - Fall Foliage

Tel: 1-800-227-MASS (1-800-227-6277).

Michigan

Best time (southern Michigan): early to mid-October.

Minnesota

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Mississippi

Best areas: along the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Best times: 21-Oct to 9-Nov.

Missouri

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Montana

Best areas: western Montana.

New Brunswick

Best time: the leaves start to turn colour mid to late September.

New Hampshire

Best time: early to mid October.

Web site: Visit New Hampshire - Fall Foliage

Tel: 1-800-258-3608 or 1-800-258-3609.

New Jersey

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

New Mexico

Best areas: northern New Mexico.

New York State

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions, for example the Finger Lakes area and the Catskill Mountains.

Best times (western New York State, between Niagara Falls and the Pennsylvania border): second week in October.

North Carolina

Best area: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Best time: 15-Oct to 4-Nov.

Ohio

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Ontario

Best areas: By all reports, the fall foliage display in Algonquin Provincial Park is excellent. The maple trees are at their best at the end of September or early October. The aspens, tamaracks and red oaks reach their peak in the middle or end of October. The Algoma Central Railroad/Railway's Agawa Canyon trip which runs north from Sault Ste Marie is also said to be good for seeing the colours.

Best time: the last week of September and the first two or three weeks of October.

Pennsylvania

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions, for example the Pocono Mountains.

Best time (Pocono Mountains): 5-Oct to 19-Oct.

Rhode Island

Tel: 1-800-886-9463.

Province of Québec

Best area: anywhere on the Laurentian Shield.

Best time (general): around the end of September.

Best time (Laurentian Québec): 15-Sep to 30-Sep.

The Province of Québec is famous for its autumn colours because of the sugar maple trees.

Tennessee

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions, for example the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Best time (Great Smoky Mountains National Park): 15-Oct to 4-Nov.

Vermont

Best areas: US7 and nearby roads - highly recommended. Green Mountains.

Best time (general): early to mid October.

Best time (Green Mountains): 29-Sep to 13-Oct.

Web site: Travel Vermont - Tips For Your Fall Foliage Tour

Tel: 1-800-837-6668 or 1-802-828-3230.

Virginia

I have no specific information but I would guess that the fall foliage display along Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park is excellent.

Washington State

The town of Leavenworth, Washington State, has an Autumn Leaves Festival from the last weekend in September to the first weekend in October.

Wisconsin

Best areas: mountainous and forested regions.

Wyoming

Best areas: western Wyoming.
External Links - Fall Foliage Information

Scenic Roads

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As with all the other pages on this personal web site, all the information on this page is solely the opinion of the author, who has no connection whatsoever with any of the companies and organisations mentioned other than as an actual or potential customer.
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Most recently modified 11-Sep-01