Where are the best fall colors? Map out best dates and locations for 2023 leaf-peeping

Camille Fine, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read

The Farmer's Almanac, which has been predicting long-range weather outlooks annually since 1818, has released its 2023 fall leaves, peak color forecast.

The autumnal equinox – which officially marks the beginning of astronomical fall in the Northern Hemisphere – signals the beginning of an explosive shift in the landscape to brilliant hues of red, yellow and orange. Days will shrink as the sun continues to rise later and nightfall arrives earlier, until the winter solstice.

Here’s what every “leaf-peeper” needs to know to have the best viewing experience.

Best US parks to visit for leaf peeping 'Clad with colorful displays'

View every states' peak fall color dates, predicted by Farmers Almanac, searching the interactive database

When is the autumnal equinox in 2023?

Fall bird migration 2023 Swarms of birds will fly over the US soon. Explore BirdCast's new migration tool to help you prepare.

The fall equinox, which occurs at the same moment worldwide, arrives on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the Northern Hemisphere.

Tips for best fall-colors viewing

  • Visit when leaves are near their peak colors, the Almanac suggests.

  • Avoid rainy, windy days, when the leaves get soggy.

  • Overcast days can make leaf colors standout against muted skies.

Fall foliage map 2023

Fall colors in Letchworth State Park on November 1, 2021.
Fall colors in Letchworth State Park on November 1, 2021.

Farmer's Almanac best destinations for fall leaves in the U.S.

Northeast (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C.)

  1. Rangeley Lakes Region, Maine

  2. Letchworth State Park, Western New York

  3. Kancamagus Scenic Highway, Lincoln, New Hampshire

A stream, filled from the recent rains, pours its water into the Genesee River at the Upper Falls in Letchworth State Par, New York.
A stream, filled from the recent rains, pours its water into the Genesee River at the Upper Falls in Letchworth State Par, New York.
In this Oct. 5, 2012, file photo, peak colors are seen along the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, N.H.
In this Oct. 5, 2012, file photo, peak colors are seen along the Kancamagus Highway in Albany, N.H.
Water hangs off berries on a tree at Letchworth State Park, New York.
Water hangs off berries on a tree at Letchworth State Park, New York.

Midwest/Great Lakes (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin)

  1. Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Kentucky

  2. Lake Geneva Area, Wisconsin

Southeast (Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida)

  1. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

  2. Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee

  3. Mount Cheaha, Alabama

North Central (Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana)

  1. Fort Ransom State Park, North Dakota

  2. Estes Park at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico)

  1. Hawksbill Crag, Whitaker Point, The Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho)

  1. Olympic National Park, Washington

Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona)

  1. Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, Utah

  2. Big Sur Coast Highway, California

Vote in 10Best: What's the best destination for fall foliage?

From Oklahoma to Maine, choose your favorite fall foliage spot out of 20 destinations – nominated by an expert panel – to help determine to best place for viewing the entire spectrum of fall colors in the U.S.

Visit USA Today's 10Best website to vote.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will peak fall colors arrive? Map fall foliage forecast across US