Want to see the foliage change and fall colors? Where you can go in the Springfield area

Through the daily hustle and bustle, it's good to get a reminder of the simpler things in life. Nowhere is that more evident than in the fall, when the sight of a good oak tree changing colors can be as exhilarating as going to a football game – pro, college, high school, pee-wee, etc. – going to a haunted house or sampling some pumpkin spice at a farmer's market.

As temperatures start to get chillier and the colors begin to make their presence felt, it's a good time to review why this happens and where you can go to find some of the best fall colors in Springfield and the surrounding area. Here's what you need to know:

How do leaves change color in the fall?

According to Mike Brunk, manager of the Urban and Community Forestry Program for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, how and when fall colors emerge depend on a variety of factors, such as temperature, sunlight and tree vigor.

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"The best color comes when it's cold, but above freezing, followed up with sunny days," Brunk said. "That will bring out the fall color and once we start to get those low-40s, upper 30s and sunny days, we're going to get really good, bright, fall colors."

When do those fall colors come our way?

Brunk said that the best colors in central Illinois usually come in the 3rd week of October, with areas in northern Illinois getting better colors earlier. Wet, rainy and cloudy conditions can extend this sort of deadline.

"If we get a very wet fall and it's kind of rainy, that can extend it (later)," Brunk said. "If it's a dry fall, it can shorten it."

In Springfield, where can I go to see nice colors?

Let's start with an easy one:

Washington Park (1501 South Grand Ave. W.): Home to massive trees and rolling terrain perfect for both leisurely strolls and intense ambles, it also has an interior road system designed for people who don't want to get out of their cars.

"People just like to drive through the park and see the beautiful scenery," said Derek Harms, executive director of the Springfield Park District. "It's well-known, it's a large park in the center of our city, it has a beautiful tree canopy, and it's the right time of the year to see the changing of the leaves."

Carpenter Park (#1 Carpenter Park Trail): For those interested in the simple pleasure of nature observation, the nature preserve and trails at Carpenter Park maintains a solid natural beauty at this time of the year.

"There's a lot of hiking trails and nature trails that we have well maintained in that area, so people can actually hike through the woods," Harms said. "It's a really beautiful part of our community and our parks system at this time of year."

Lincoln Park (1601 N. Fifth St.): The south and west sides of the park are hilly and tree-lined and in a similar fashion to Washington Park, have interior road systems perfect for those with mobility issues.

Lincoln Memorial Gardens (2301 East Lake Shore Drive): Home to large trails and footbridges along with wooden benches inscribed with quotes from Abe himself, this site maintains picturesque fall foliage in a relaxing environment.

I want to travel outside the city to view the colors. Are there good places for me to go?

Brunk pointed out several places of note that people could explore all the beauty of fall outside the Springfield area:

Shawnee National Forest (Harrisburg in southern Illinois): A good place for later in the month when colors down south peak, one can explore the 289,000 acres of beauty in areas such as the Garden of the Gods, the upper loop of the Rim Rock Trail and the many wilderness areas that dot the grounds.

Allerton Park (Monticello): Closer to home, Allerton Park and Retreat Center contains 1,500 acres of woodland, plus hiking trails, sculpture gardens, and a 10-acre meadow on the grounds. There's also plenty of places to stay, such as a mansion with 17 guest rooms.

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Starved Rock State Park (Oglesby): One of Illinois' most famous attractions, Starved Rock is home to plenty of vegetation from white and red oaks to maple and hickory trees. It's even home to a Fall Colors Weekend each year where one can register and receive guided hikes through the many spectacular trails at the park.

All of that sounds great. When is the best time of day to view the colors?

Brunk said that shortly after sunrise and before sunset are the best times for one to view fall colors, wherever they may be.

"It really intensifies some of the excellent colors that we see in the fall," Brunk said. "My personal preference is an early day or end of day hike; getting out with your loved ones, fuzzy friends if you have them and taking a hike to enjoy the canopies that we have out there."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Fall leaves: Where to see foliage, fall colors around Springfield