No matter what your favorite season is, we can all agree the crisp autumn air and changing leaves impart certain magic that words can’t fully describe. While Arizona isn’t as well-known for its fall foliage as, say, New England, our state – particularly the high desert areas – happens to be a leaf-peeping paradise. Peak season occurs at a slightly different time each year, so having a trusted resource to consult ensures you’ll get to enjoy the show to the fullest extent possible. The interactive fall foliage map at SmokyMountains.com is just that, detailing exactly when and where the fall foliage will peak in Arizona. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and hit the road – it’s time for autumn adventures!

Thanks to the interactive map at SmokyMountains.com, autumn leaf-peeping has never been easier.
Smoky Mountains
What began as a fun, lighthearted project in 2013 has quickly grown into one of the most trusted fall foliage resources in the nation, with over 10 million people using the map each year to guide their festive adventures.
When you open the map to see when the foliage will peak in Arizona, you'll find it likely won't begin until mid-September (around September 19th).
Smoky Mountains
As with any weather prediction, the exact dates may not be 100% accurate, but the algorithm is usually pretty spot-on.
As you can see, only the highest latitudes in Arizona will hit their peak this early in the season.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
j.j. raia / Moment Collection / Getty Images
That includes northwestern Arizona and the Grand Canyon, so it's a great time to plan a trip to our state's most iconic natural wonder before the snow starts falling.

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In late October, the leaves in Central Arizona will start displaying their deepest, most vibrant autumn hues.
Smoky Mountains
The week of October 10-October 17 is your best bet for catching the height of the spectacle in northern Arizona. Afterwards, the leaves will be past their peak and no longer appear quite as bold.
One of the best ways to take in the scenery during this week is by riding the chairlift at the Arizona Snowbowl.
Snowbowl Drive, Snowbowl Dr, Arizona 86004, USA
Thomas Roche / Moment Collection / Getty Images
You'll soar through the air at an elevation of over 10,000 feet, your jaw dropping at the sight of the gilded aspen forest below. Lockett Meadow is a great place to visit this time of year, too!
Southern Arizona will finally get its time in the spotlight later in the month, with the foliage likely peaking between October 10 and October 31.
Smoky Mountains
By November 14, the entire state will have passed its peak, so plan on getting all the leaf-peeping out of your system before then!
If you're looking for a late-season opportunity to indulge your senses, check out Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 E Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ 85173, USA
Wikimedia Commons / Terry Stone
It's a rarity to see leaves this eye-popping in the desert lowlands, so consider yourself in for a real treat.

Visit the official Smoky Mountains website to access the interactive map and try it out for yourself. Don’t just check once and call it good, either – the map is scheduled to update mid-season for maximum accuracy! There, you’ll also find some of the top leaf-peeping sites in all 50 states.

Are you excited for fall foliage to peak this year? Where are your favorite spots to see the changing leaves in Arizona? Check out some of the best fall foliage in Arizona this season!

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Arizona Fall Foliage Map

Tori Jane | September 11, 2022

Where can I find the best fall foliage in Arizona?

Arizona is a beautiful state in the fall, and we don’t think it gets enough credit for this. Sure, New England might have some truly amazing leaf-peeping opportunities, but don’t think the desert southwest is a slouch by any means. There are some amazing places to see fall foliage in Arizona, like the entire northern portion of the state. Sedona and Flagstaff are two of the most beautiful small towns in Arizona during the fall, and you can’t miss a hike on the legendary Kachina Trail north of Flagstaff for some of the best colors in October. Check out places like Payson, Prescott, and other mountain towns – they are truly at their best when the leaves are changing!

What are some excellent places to view fall foliage in Arizona?

The list of excellent places to view fall foliage in Arizona continues, and it’s not a short list, either! We have too many favorites to mention, but there are some worth mentioning. Why not embark upon a wonder-filled fall color hike in Arizona? Some of our faves include gems like the Weatherford Trail, in Flagstaff, and Oak Creek Canyon, near Sedona, which is ablaze with color by mid-October and becomes an even MORE amazing destination than it already is. In southern Arizona, check out Mount Lemmon – it's a truly unique experience to drive all the way up, and during the fall, it is at its most incredible.

What is fall in Arizona like?

This is an interesting question; fall in Arizona varies depending on where you are. In northern Arizona, autumn brings with it a chill in the air and vibrant color by October. In central Arizona, fall color may not show up until December, but autumn does mark a wonderful time in which the scorching summer temperatures taper off and more reasonable, pleasant temperatures take hold. Autumn is one of the best times of year for doing some of the best hikes in Arizona, which tend to be almost impossible when it’s incredibly hot. Southern Arizona tends to get a little chillier than central Arizona, but not as chilly as northern Arizona does. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit the desert!

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