Get ready, Arizona—fall foliage season is on its way! 🍂
While most think of Arizona as a desert landscape filled with cacti and sandstone, the Grand Canyon State has a surprise in store each autumn. As temperatures cool, the higher elevations burst with color, transforming into a tapestry of golden aspens, vibrant cottonwoods, ash, birch, and crabapple trees.
Leaf-peeping is a beloved fall activity across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and New England, but Arizona’s unique mix of forest and desert offers its stunning version. In the north, vivid ribbons of yellow and orange wrap around mountains and canyon walls, contrasting against deep-green ponderosa pines. And in the south, bright leaves even frame the iconic saguaros.
With fall colors on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start planning your autumn escape. Here are five incredible spots to witness Arizona’s seasonal transformation!
1. Flagstaff
This charming northern town, just two and a half hours from Phoenix, is a leaf-peeper’s paradise, where golden aspens shimmer against a backdrop of clear blue skies.
For a spectacular view of the fall colors, hop on Arizona Snowbowl’s scenic gondola ride, taking you 11,500 feet up into the San Francisco Peaks. From the top, you’ll not only see the vibrant canopy but also catch breathtaking views of Sedona’s red rocks and, on clear days, even the Grand Canyon.
To help visitors make the most of the season, the city has created the ‘Leaf-o-meter,’ an online resource that tracks the peak of fall colors. With a dropdown menu for different locations—including Flagstaff, the Arboretum, Snowbowl, the Inner Basin, NAU, and Lowell Observatory—the Leaf-o-meter ensures you know exactly when and where to catch the most vivid hues of autumn.
2. Sedona
Red rock country is stunning year-round, but fall adds magic with vibrant, changing leaves set against Sedona’s iconic landscape.
For the best fall colors, head to Oak Creek Canyon, just 8 minutes north of downtown Sedona along Route 89A.
The drive itself is gorgeous, but for a truly immersive experience, step into the woods. The West Fork Trail, an easy three-mile hike, provides countless photo ops of autumn’s beauty.
Red Rock State Park, on Sedona’s southwestern side, is another fantastic spot to enjoy the season. Stroll along the banks of Oak Creek, where the bright yellows of cottonwood, ash, and alder trees light up the scenery. The golden hues of sycamores add a cozy fall touch to Sedona’s beloved Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, casting a warm autumn glow over this landmark destination.
3. White Mountains
If you’re looking to enjoy fall colors away from the usual crowds, head to the White Mountains in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
With elevations reaching over 11,000 feet, this area showcases vibrant autumn foliage from October through early November.
In these highlands, Gambel oaks turn from green to stunning shades of orange, creating a beautiful contrast against the evergreen pines. A scenic drive along State Route 260 takes you through charming mountain towns like Pinetop-Lakeside, Greer, and Show Low, with plenty of lookout points along the way for capturing the landscape. For a truly panoramic experience, take Forest Road 117 (four-wheel drive recommended) up to the summit of Greens Peak and enjoy a breathtaking aerial view of Arizona’s fall beauty.
4. Payson
With cooler temperatures, fall hiking season kicks off in Mogollon Rim Country, where tree-lined trails await every fitness level. Just a 90-minute drive from the Valley, the mountain town of Payson makes the perfect starting point for a leaf-peeping adventure.
For a local favorite, head to the See Canyon Trail. This 7.6-mile roundtrip hike climbs 1,500 feet, leading you from golden aspens to dense green pines. Moderately challenging with some steep sections, the trail crosses Christopher Creek and skirts the rim, offering sweeping views along the way.
For a different pace, the 4-mile Horton Creek Trail traces an old wagon road alongside a stream, with mini waterfalls adding to the scenery. Vibrant yellows from cottonwoods, sycamores, and box elders mingle with the deep reds and purples of sumac and Virginia creeper, creating a brilliant autumn tapestry.
Or, for a more leisurely option, try the mostly paved Rim Lake Vista Trail. This 3.5-mile path winds through showy oaks that overlook an amber-hued canyon, with wild sunflowers adding to the fall charm. No matter which trail you choose, Mogollon Rim Country promises a spectacular autumn experience.
5. Santa Catalina Mountains
Southern Arizona holds its own against the northern mountains with stunning fall colors that begin in early to mid-October.
The Santa Catalina Mountains, just east of Tucson, come alive with vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds from aspens, oaks, and maples.
For a scenic journey, take the 27-mile Catalina Highway—also known as the Sky Island Scenic Byway or the General Hitchcock Highway—up to the summit of Mount Lemmon. As you ascend 6,000 feet, watch the landscape transform from towering saguaros to golden and crimson-hued deciduous trees. Be sure to stop at Windy
Point for sweeping views over Bear Canyon and the city of Tucson below.
Along the route, hiking trails like Aspen Draw, Bear Wallow, and Marshall Gulch Loop invite you to step out and experience the foliage up close. For an added treat, head to the summit and make a reservation at the Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory to cap off your day with unforgettable stargazing. Southern Arizona’s fall season is truly one-of-a-kind.
So pack your camera, lace up your hiking boots, and get ready to experience Arizona’s incredible fall colors. With vibrant landscapes waiting in every corner of the state, now’s the time to plan your unforgettable leaf-peeping adventure!
Коментарі