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
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 Stories
Read all stories
Fall colors usher in autumn in the Rocky Mountains
In Colorado, fall arrives in different ways and at different times around the state. Fall can be a spectacular time of year here, with gorgeous colors set against a dusting of white snow on the higher peaks and the occasional late blooming wildflower.
Fall colors on Alaska’s national forests offer beautiful vistas
Ever think about fall colors in Alaska? Now’s the time with autumn foliage colors peaking from late August to early October in Alaska’s Tongass and Chugach National Forests.
Forest Service wants you to get in where you fit in!
Every fall, nature puts on a dazzling show across America’s great outdoors for all of us to see. Whether you’re an adventurist or someone who just likes a good road trip, national forests are the places to be this time of year.
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.