Leaf peeping isn’t an exact science. Fall is always a bit fickle, and with climate change, the season is becoming more unpredictable, making it harder to know exactly when leaves will burst into color. That doesn’t mean you should forgo the whole leaf peeping endeavor, though. At the very least, the changing colors are an excellent excuse to check out a new town or an underrated part of the country. And if you miss the leaves, you can still get that pumpkin coffee. We know you like it.
The list below isn’t comprehensive. You might have noticed, there are trees everywhere. However, here are some places that we think have excellent trees, organized around the times they are projected to peak according to this map. Mostly, we picked places that we love, so if you miss leaves, you’ll still have plenty to see.
October 7
Stowe
Stowe around the first week in October is not only projected to be at peak leaf peeping potential, it’s at peak fall. Later in the week is the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, and if you head up a little earlier, you might be able to catch the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival where brave souls fling pumpkins across a field using homemade trebuchets. Leaves or no leaves, if you visit at any point during the season, you’ll be able to get cider donuts from Cold Hollow, take the gondola up the mountain to take in the views or hike Stowe Pinnacle yourself.
Fargo
Normally, we wouldn’t suggest a mall parking lot as a destination. We reserve the right to change our tune for The Great Straw Maze gracing the parking lot of the West Acres Mall in Fargo this fall – it’s complicated enough that it takes almost an hour to complete. Lil Bitz Pumpkin Patch, just outside the city, also provides more foliage themed activities in the form of a 10-acre corn maze and a petting zoo, and there’s an Oktoberfest at Drekker Brewing on October 5. If you just want to see some leaves, head to Orchard Glen or Lindenwood Park, where not only can you peep, you can work on identifying the trees.
Bozeman
While it is mildly disappointing that the Bridger Raptor Festival just north of Bozeman isn’t about dinosaurs, it is about birds of prey, so we approve; hawks up close and nature walks all at the same time. For more traditional fall activities, there’s the Bozeman Maze, which also runs flashlight mazes at night, or the Rocky Creek Farm pumpkin patch. Really, though, the best way to see the leaves in the mountains around Bozeman might be to take a hike or go mountain biking.
Door County
Door County is like the Upper Peninsula’s little sister, jutting out into Lake Michigan, and come the first couple weeks of October, the leaves should be a changin’. If you’re looking for festivals or events, there’s the Pumpkin Patch festival on Oct 12 or the Art, Craft, and Amish Quilt Sale or Fall Fun Fest and Cider Pressing Party that same weekend. However, Door County is a small place, and a good opportunity to get outside. Go camping. Maybe see the leaves from the water on a kayak tour or from a ferry. Don’t forget the lighthouses.
Oct 14
Boise
It’s not leaves, but just outside of Boise is one of the largest corn mazes in the United States. And that’s important. Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna does a different design every year and it’s incredible. If you’d rather have a glass of wine while you enjoy a view, you’re in luck, the Boise area has a growing wine industry. Of course, there are also the mountains – Dry Creek Trail is a great option just outside the city.
Madison
Come mid-October, Madison is hosting both the Wisconsin Science Festival and The Wisconsin Book festival where you can take in a talk from an author you love or learn about the science of music. If you prefer to spend your whole day outside, go paddle around Lake Mendota? There’s also the Madison Night Market, ROCKStoberfest at Cave of the Mounds, or the Farm Art Dtour, which takes you through a rural county near Madison and shows off its visual art, performances and markets.
Oct 21
Columbus
Ever asked yourself, what would it be like to stand in a house made of pumpkins? Columbus Harvest Blooms is here for you. The Franklin Park Conservatory has an outdoor exhibit with gourds everywhere – even in the trees. Mid-October is also Columbus Fashion Week, and Saturday, October 26 is Highball Halloween, a fairly epic costume party. To get out and, you know, be in the trees, there’s always Hayden Falls or Highbanks Metro Park.
Eugene
Just outside Eugene in late October, there’s a festival celebrating the other side of fall foliage: fungi. The Mount Pisgah Arboretum’s annual Mushroom Festival includes nature walks, an enormous mushroom exhibit, mushroom sales and requisite fall activities like hayrides and cider pressing. For fermentation instead of fungi, the Willamette Valley is also home to a number of wineries. The nearby Spencer Butte trail or the waterfalls near Cottage Grove provide excellent peeping opportunities.
Oct 28
Sioux Falls
A zombie walk is exactly what it sounds like. There’s a makeup artist there to help turn you into a zombie look alike. Then, you walk. We have to assume there’s also some moaning involved. Conclusion: what could be more delightful than joining the zombie horde in Sioux Falls in late October? If you’d rather get scared than look scary, there’s The Jaycees Feargrounds. For non-Halloween activities, there’s a Fall Festival every weekend at Country Apple Orchard or a Downtown Walking Food Tour. You also shouldn’t ever go to Sioux Fall without visiting the falls themselves.
Fayetteville and Bentonville
Maybe you don’t think of Arkansas when you think foliage, but you should. Never forget the Ozarks where, only 30 minutes apart from each other, Fayetteville and Bentonville act as hubs. Along with some pretty excellent hiking – Ozark National Scenic Riverways is running a guided fall hiking series – there’s a lot of art going on, from Fenix Arts, to George Dombek’s studio, to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (there are also walking trails here). For something a little spooky check out Nightmare on Block Street, we’re especially interested in the nighttime float and camping trip and the silent disco they have planned for this year
