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Aug 02, 2023

Here's What Science Is Saying About Peak Fall Foliage In 2023

Why do leaves change color in fall, and where can travelers see autumn colors at their peak? Nothing shouts autumn like the leaves transitioning from green, to brilliant oranges, browns, and reds –

Why do leaves change color in fall, and where can travelers see autumn colors at their peak?

Nothing shouts autumn like the leaves transitioning from green, to brilliant oranges, browns, and reds – and people adore being outdoors during the season. At this time, travelers are always ready to spend the season engaging in various fun activities, such as visiting apple orchards, enjoying hay rides, pumpkin picking, and of course, leaf-peeping.

At some point, almost everyone has wondered what makes these leaves change colors in autumn. People love the seasonal change, but the magical wonder has wowed scientists and regular travelers, alike. So, why do these leaves turn into beautiful colors? When and where can tourists expect to experience this unique transformation? Here is what science is saying about peak fall foliage in 2023.

Related: Best Places To See Fall Foliage In The World

As much as travelers love to enjoy seeing the wonderful leaf transformation in the autumn, they may want to understand what causes the change.

Chlorophyll is the element that gives leaves their natural green color, and since it depends on the sun's rays to begin the photosynthesis process, lack of enough sunlight means the leaves will start fading.

In autumn, days are typically shorter, which reduces the amount of sunlight hitting leaves. This, in turn, slows down the process of photosynthesis, thereby fading the leaves' color.

So, where do the vibrant yellows and oranges come from? These color pigments are always there in the leaves, but stay covered in the summer (when temperatures are enough to keep chlorophyll active).

As for red leaves, the color transformation is caused by the production of another pigment called anthocyanins.

Well, when to see the incredible color transformation depends on where one wants to do leaf peeping, and fortunately, there are plenty of fall foliage map spots to know about. Leaves start changing colors from mid-September to early November, with the second and third week of October being the peak times.

Plenty of factors play a role in the color change, including tree species, location, and weather. This is why some leaves transform way before others do.

Species like sourwood, mostly located in the Southern US, change their colors in the late summer (according to the U.S. Forest Service). At this time, many of the tree species are still green.

On the other hand, species like Oaks undergo color transformation later in the season, when other trees are already displaying their brilliant colors.

That being said, the colder mountainous areas in the U.S., like the western Rockies and the Eastern Adirondacks experience the first color change in autumn, usually in September, while much of the South experiences its peak foliage in early November.

New England is full of some of the best destinations in the U.S. to visit in the fall and comes with incredible experiences during the season. This is all thanks to its cool weather, apple orchards, and of course the main attraction, the colorful fall foliage.

Visiting the region in autumn is fun, but figuring out when and what to expect is definitely a challenge. Vacationers may not find the autumn colors at their peak if they visit the region too soon.

Those who plan a trip too late in the season may also miss the colors at their most spectacular. To find fall foliage at its peak in New England, travelers should plan a trip to the first week of October.

While New England’s fall foliage peaks in the first week of October, the color transformation doesn’t happen all at once in the whole place. It begins in the North side then spreads into the South and West, and then goes to New York and beyond.

Related: Which New England State Should You Travel To For Leaf Peeping this Fall?

Stowe, Vermont is one of the best places to see fall foliage in New England, and has a nickname, "Fall's Color Capital."

There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in one of the most beautiful towns in Vermont, including taking scenic drives, biking, zip lining, and hiking – all offering incredible leaf-peeping opportunities.

Montgomery, "The Covered Bridge Capital of Vermont," is another top spot not to miss in New England for autumn views. There are plenty of covered bridges in this place and are surrounded by fall colors.

For a scenic drive, take a ride along Kancamagus Highway, which take vacationers through the iconic White Mountain National Forest, one of the bucket list-worthy natural wonders in the USA.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are among the awesome things to do in North Carolina, and boast some of the most beautiful towns in America. The range spans North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Georgia, and guarantees some of the most unforgettable experiences.

The Blue Ridge Mountains boast the most colorful and longest autumns in the U.S., thanks to the various elevations. The highest points in the Blue Ridge experience the first fall foliage peak, that is, in October. The lower points then follow in early November.

Areas at the highest elevations, including the Rough Ridge and the Graveyard Fields, may start seeing fall foliage between September 25 and October 2. These areas experience peak fall foliage between October 2-9.

Lower elevations (5,000 feet – 4,000 feet) have their peak fall foliage between the 9th and 16th of October. This usually includes many areas in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to some of the most beautiful hikes in the U.S. and much of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Tourists planning to explore elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, including Pisgah National Forest and Cataloochee Valley, should visit between October 16 and 23.

Elevations between 2,000 feet and 3,000 feet, which include some of the most beautiful cities in North Carolina; Asheville, NC, and Bryson are best visited between October 23 and 30 for their autumn colors.

Fall in lower elevations peaks in early November (Between October 30 and November 6).

Related: Fall Foliage & More: 10 Things To Do In The Smoky Mountains This Autumn

Apart from New England and the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are plenty of places to take in breathtaking autumn views. These destinations host some of the best fall festivals in the U.S. Here are the best spots to consider:

Quinter Auma is a travel writer based in Kenya. She has written travel articles on destinations across Africa and beyond. Her writing is inspired by her passion to travel to new destinations and inspire others to get out of their comfort zones and explore the beauty of this world - whether they travel around the world or in their own countries.