WHERE & WHEN TO WATCH THE LEAVES CHANGE IN ARIZONA

Autumn Awesome | Week of October 5th through 11th
Primary Viewing: Top sites for fall colors will be in the central portion of our states high-desert region, such as the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff and the surrounding area. Also, the White Mountains towards the east border of our state. Secondary Viewing: Northern edges of our state will be getting there but not ready yet. What you'll see: The area is known for plenty of pine and fir trees, and also hosts Gambel oaks, which turn a brilliant yellow-orange sunburst, and aspens which offer translucent greens that turn into brilliant yellows.
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Autumn Awesome | Week of October 12th through the 18th
Primary Viewing: As statewide temperatures continue to cool, areas like Sedona and Cottonwood lower on the map will begin to be filled with a variety of brightly colored plant palettes this week. Oak Creek Canyon is a must to see! Secondary Viewing: Ash Fork, Winslow and Holbrook will follow shortly. What you'll see: Oak Creek is home to the maples and oak trees normally associated with the East Coast.
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Autumn Awesome | Week of October 19th through the 25th
Primary Viewing: Areas like Prescott, Show Low and Payson will be in full colored-spectrum this week. Check out Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Secondary Viewing: Tough to say, by this week of the month most of the leaves will have completed their autumnal transformation. What you'll see: Leaves from honey locust, pomegranate, and soapberry trees offer light yellow to deep copper and golden tones before they shed, while the Arizona sycamore tends to reach a yellow-red, the cottonwood a bright yellow, and the walnuts can reach a dark red.
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Are you a "leafer"; someone who travels to see the most colored leaves that you can? Reds, yellow and orange hues replace the once-green wind-wavers as winter comes to the Arizona highlands.

three weeks in october for the best viewing

Don't Miss Out!

Ready to see aspens turning yellow and maples becoming explosions of yellow, orange, and red! Oaks trees become show-stoppers with a touch of yellow, orange, or brown, while cottonwoods take on a yellow hue – as do elms, ash, and willows.

White Mountains

From Phoenix, depending on stops, the drive east can take anywhere from four, to five and a half hours.

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Oak Creek Canyon

One of the more popular destinations along the Mogollon Rim and nestled between Sedona and Flagstaff, the area is a two-hour drive to the north.

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Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park

Conveniently situated an hour east of Phoenix, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park outside of Superior is a great stop to catch late colors.

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Arizona Snowbowl

Take a gondola ride at the Arizona Snowbowl in mid-to-late October to catch the aspens at their most vivid, awe-inspiring stage. 

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West Fork Trail

Running alongside Oak Creek, this 7.2-mile hike boasts some of the most spectacular fall foliage Arizona has to offer.

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Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is home to much of the state’s aspen population within the Kaibab National Forest.

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