Fall foliage in Central Texas? Yes. Here's what you need to know
We know, we know. What fall foliage? Although Texas isn't known, really at all, for pretty fall colors, we've sought out spots you can visit to feel like you're in a state with real seasons.
To get you started on your leaf hunt, you'll need to know what kind of trees to look for, when fall colors are expected to peak and what kind of weather to wait for. Let's get started.
You can start your foliage search just by knowing a couple of trees. Bald cypress trees, pecan trees, crepe myrtle trees and cedar elm trees are likely your best bets for pretty fall colors in Central Texas. Now, no one is claiming these trees will produce the spectacular colors seen in the northeast during fall, but they do have yellows, oranges and reds to offer.
Mid-November is peak fall foliage for Texas. According to Smoky Mountains National Park's fall foliage map for 2022, Texas foliage peaks around the middle of the month. Austin will be near its peak the week of Nov. 14 and officially peak the week of Nov. 21.
We'll need more cold snaps for pretty color, but this year's drought has had an effect. Anything that is bad for a tree, like a drought, is bad for its fall foliage forecast. With Texas' drought this year, foliage forecasters are not sure what to expect. Less moisture will make for less brilliant color. Leaves start to change color with cold temperatures. A cold snap that leads to warm days and cooler nights would be ideal for pretty colors, said Joshua Erickson, urban forestry program manager in Austin's Parks and Recreation Department.
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OK, let's get to the list of spots. We've listed these according to how much time you may want to spend on your foliage adventure. (A note: Make a reservation for Texas State Parks, whether you're camping or just visiting for the day. Weekend days are more busy than during the week. Reservations can be made at tpwd.texas.gov.)
If you're hoping to see some nice fall color without trying too hard: Check out the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail.
Short on time? Or just want something pretty to look at real quick? We suggest staying in town. Taking a walk or run or bike ride around Lady Bird Lake via the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail is a safe bet.
"There are a variety of trees along the hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake that makes it probably the best option in town," Erickson said.
When we asked Erickson about fall foliage, he stewarded our question about the best spot for color in Austin to his colleagues, but they weren't able to land on the spot. Instead, Erickson encourages Austinites to visit one of the city's many trails or preserves to see what they can find.
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In the coming years, Erickson expects J.J. Seabrook Greenbelt to become a hot spot for fall foliage. The greenbelt has received several sweetgum trees over the last several years, and while none are large enough to stand out just yet, Erickson sees them being a fall feature of the park in the future.
The city is working to add more sweetgum trees and tupelo trees to increase species diversity. The bonus is that the two kinds of tree will pop with color in the fall. The city has 31 sweetgum trees in its inventory, with 14 acquired last year, Erickson sad.
If you're looking for a leaf half-day: Head to McKinney Falls State Park, just about 10 miles southeast of downtown Austin.
You don't have to go far for a taste of fall. McKinney Falls State Park, which is just west of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, is home to bald cypress trees, said Katie Raney, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regional interpreter.
"I think one of the kind of underappreciated trees that change color in the fall are bald cypress trees. They line a lot of our rivers and creeks," Raney said. "Bald cypress trees do lose their leaves, so they'll turn from green to a rusty red."
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"Old Baldy" is one of those trees and is thought to be more than 500 years old, making it one of the oldest such trees on public land in Texas, the park's website says. The tree is 103 feet tall, has a trunk with a diameter of 60.5 inches and is 195 inches around.
The water from Onion and Williamson creeks help support the bald cypress trees, along with red Turk's cap wildflowers, at the park.
The park is at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway and open daily from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $6. More information can be found at tpwd.texas.gov.
If you're looking for a leaf day trip: Drive about 42 miles west to Pedernales Falls State Park.
Pedernales Falls State Park is another spot for bald cypress trees, which turn yellow to bronze to copper, and it makes for a great day trip. The park is in Johnson City, and it's stunning. Bald cypress trees line the terrace next to the Pedernales River, and layers of limestone make for a nice view and a nice walk.
"If people in the Austin area head out to Pedernales, Blanco and McKinney, and if they wanted to get their fall photos done, they could go out right now and see some color," Raney said.
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Once you're done checking out the trees, hike one of the park's many trails or tube, canoe or kayak in the river.
Pedernales Falls State Park is at 2585 Park Road 6026 in Johnson City. Entrance fees are $6 for people 13 years and older and the park is open daily. More information can be found at tpwd.texas.gov.
If you've already been to Pedernales Falls State Park: Visit Blanco State Park, just south of Johnson City.
So, you're one of the lucky ones who have already visited Pedernales Falls State Park, huh? Don't worry. We've got another day trip for you that's about the same distance from Austin.
Blanco State Park is located in Blanco, which is just south of Johnson City. The park is home to, of course, bald cypress trees, along with pecan trees. Pecan trees will get a nice yellow color before turning into a brownish hue during the fall, Erickson said.
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The park is on the smaller side and has beautiful views of the Blanco River.
The park is located at 101 Park Road in Blanco and is open daily. Entry fees are $5 for adults. More information can be found at tpwd.texas.gov.
If you're dedicated to the cause: Head about three hours southwest to Lost Maples State Natural Area.
"Fall foliage in Texas" is just a synonym for Lost Maples State Natural Area. This is the spot, y'all. The park, which is west of San Antonio, is home to Uvalde bigtooth maple trees, which provide color that will have you forgetting you're not in New England. We're talking bright reds, oranges, and yellows.
"Lost Maples, what they're known for is their maple trees that change color in the fall. We just don't have maple trees, really, in large swaths across the Hill Country, or even in a lot of Texas. So it makes it really special," Raney said.
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Lost Maples is a popular spot this time of year, so you'll want to get a reservation as soon as you can. Raney recommends going during the week.
You can follow the foliage at the natural area online, too, if you aren't able to make it out there. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials post a weekly foliage report online. The latest report is from Oct. 28 and says most of the maples were still all green, but with a recent cold front with rain has the trees thinking about color change.
The natural area is located at 37221 RM 187 in Vanderpool and entrance fees are $6 for adults. More information can be found at tpwd.texas.gov.
If you can get a few days off of work: Drive west across Texas to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
We've got another spot for maples: Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The park's higher elevations give maple trees the right conditions to thrive, as the park is mostly desert, the National Park Service says. The spots to see pretty fall colors require a hike, according to the park's website.
"They have a few areas, like McKittrick Canyon, that have stunning fall foliage," Raney said.
The McKittrick Canyon trail is a day use area, and the best fall colors can be seen from Pratt Cabin and "the Notch," which is a viewpoint halfway to McKittrick Ridge. McKittrick Ridge is another fall foliage hotspot, the website says.
The park is located at 400 Pine Canyon in Salt Flat, which is east of El Paso in West Texas, and entrance fees are $10 for people 16 years and older. More information can be found at nps.gov.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Where to see fall foliage, leaves with color in Austin, Central Texas
