Here Are The Best Times And Places To View Fall Foliage In Arizona
It may be September but most of the state still feels like summer. While we wait for those triple-digits days to dwindle into something significantly cooler, we can start making plans for fall weather activities. This includes checking out the changing leaves throughout the state and it looks like those activities may commence much sooner than you think!
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I’m ready to see those golden fall leaves so let’s see how to tell when the leaves will change.
The Smoky Mountains website has released an interactive tool that predicts when and where to find fall foliage throughout the country between August and October.
Simply move the controller below the map forward to see predictions for what the colors are expected to look like and when. For example, by the beginning of October, the entire state is expected to see some level of color transition.
This is a pretty cool tool to help you enjoy the very best of the fall season but keep in mind that nature can be finicky, so the predictor isn’t 100% accurate.
However, you can start making plans to enjoy the great outdoors, such as hiking some incredible trails in Flagstaff, on the Rim, or even in southern Arizona.
The Smoky Mountain Fall Foliage predictor map can be found on their website, smokymountains.com. You can also read about the science behind the color change and why the leaves eventually fall from the trees.
What are you looking forward to seeing or doing once the fall season arrives here in Arizona? If you’re looking forward to checking out the pretty leaves, you’ll want to read Take This Gorgeous All Foliage Road Trip To See Arizona Like Never Before. We know you’ll be truly impressed if you’ve never seen Arizona’s beautiful fall season.
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at [email protected]
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