While the rest of the country may be gearing up for fall, we still have a ways to go before we see those cooler temperatures and colorful leaves. Fall in Louisiana may not be as exciting when compared to globally-recognized destinations like New England and the Blue Ridge Parkway, but fall in Louisiana has its own special allure. So when do leaves change color in Louisiana?

Take a look at the Smoky Mountains fall foliage map for 2024 below. As you click on the different dates, you’ll see the map change. Pretty neat, right?

So when do leaves change color in Louisiana?

While the first week of October may be a swell time to do some leaf-peeping in the northern half of the United States, fall in Louisiana tends to like to make a casually-late appearance.

The first week of November has the potential for northern Louisiana to start seeing some of the leaves begin to change, but it’ll be fairly minimal. Your patience will be rewarded toward the middle of November when Louisiana starts to see some cold fronts blow through.

Keep waiting though, because mid-to-late November is when fall in Louisiana really shines. While the southern part of Louisiana does see some fall foliage, northern Louisiana really outshines the south in this department.

A road trip is the best way to see the fall foliage in Louisiana, and there are plenty of scenic routes you can take.

The Kisatchie National Forest has plenty of scenic roads to get lost in, but if you want to get out and stretch your legs and do a little exploring on foot, some spots are better than others.

Here are some of my favorite Louisiana state parks for fall foliage:

• Chemin-A-Haut State Park

• Lake Claiborne State Park

• Lake D’Arbonne State Park

While this map is traditionally pretty accurate, remember that Mother Nature can throw a curve ball at us at any moment. One cold snap can change everything, so if you do want to experience the leaves changing color in Louisiana, I’d recommend opening up your availability and staying as flexible as possible. Happy leaf-peeping!