Go to USDA Home Page Go to Forest Service Home Page The US Forest Service




Coming soon to a forest and grassland near you. Thank you for visiting the U.S. Forest Service's 2012 Fall Colors Web pages. We have some very useful tools to help plan your adventure to see fall trees and wildflowers this autumn. And there are fun things for the kids to do as well. As the Fall season progresses, check back regularly for new and exciting content!




Fall Foliage

NEW - Fall wildflowers

Cast your eyes across the forest floor this fall and discover the beauty of this season’s wildflowers. Learn More.

Fall colors science

The vivid autumn palette of red, orange, gold, and brown seen in many parts of the country is more science than art. Learn More.

Fall colors multimedia

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell invites the public to take advantage of fall colors by visiting a nearby forest or grassland. Other videos include our web cams in New Hampshire, North Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Montana. Learn More.

Get the kids moving outside

Another academic year is underway, and what better classroom than the great outdoors. We help you get started with coloring pages, ideas for activities and educational information about trees. Learn more.

Additional resources

Our world benefits from its many trees. Learn more.

Hotline 1-800-354-4595

Call the hotline then press the number of the area nearest you to get fall color updates:

  • #1 for Montana, North Dakota and North Idaho
  • #2 for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and eastern Wyoming
  • #3 for Arizona and New Mexico
  • #4 for portions of eastern California, Nevada, southern Idaho, Utah, western Wyoming
  • #5 for California
  • #6 for Oregon and Washington State
  • #7 for Alaska
  • #8 for Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
  • #9 for Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin


Fall Colors Blogs

Read all blogs

Consider the Alpine larch in the northern Rocky Mountains

Cheoah

Do you think that all evergreen conifers are always evergreen? In general, that’s true but the forested landscapes of the northern Rocky Mountains offer an amazing colorful exception to this each fall with the spectacular shows of the Alpine larch (Larix lyallii).

Fall wildflowers are part of the Fall colors parade

Forest Service image

Fall is a wonderful time to find an amazing array of wildflowers on your national forests and grasslands.

Planning a Trip?

 

  • Recreation.gov is the place to make reservations for individual campsites, cabins and lookouts, group campsites, tours, picnic shelters, and wilderness permits on public lands.
  • National Scenic Byways More than 9,000 miles of Scenic Byways pass through national forests and grasslands.
  • Outdoor Safety is important when you travel on forests and grasslands.
  • Find a Forest can help you find a forest near you.
  • Learn to pack a survival pack if you're planning on spending a few days in the great outdoors.