To assist National Forest visitors the Fall Color Hotline provides weekly updates on fall foliage color changes throughout the nation.
National forests are the natural place to see the fall colors in their glory.
Data indicates that the peak season for driving for pleasure occurs in the fall during the peak of the fall foliage season, which begins in September and continues through early November. In areas of severe drought, there may well be an earlier than normal color change associated with moisture stress. This stress will cause an earlier leaf fall and color change. But in most areas a normal fall color change will take place. Color changes are primarily brought on by the increasing hours of darkness, but the timing and length of the fall color season is also affected by local weather.