It’s officially leaf-peeping season and we couldn’t be more stoked about it! Don’t get us wrong; Idaho is pretty all year long. But we’d argue that the Gem State really shines in the fall season as the autumn colors arrive. The trick is finding out when to expect fall foliage to make an appearance, as it depends on a variety of factors. Luckily, Smoky Mountains has made it easy by providing us with an interactive fall foliage map. This way, you can plan your fall activities and adventures accordingly!
We all know how unpredictable Mother Nature can be, but this interactive map from Smoky Mountains is taking some of the guesswork out of predicting when the fall colors will arrive.
Fall is an exciting time of year for us Idahoans. Over the span of just a few weeks, most of the state will transform as the foliage turns from lush green to fiery red, orange, and yellow. These colors never stay long, so it's important to plan ahead of time for the best leaf-peeping experience.
Using the color-coded key at the bottom of the map, you can see exactly when the Gem State's fall foliage is expected to peak. The map below represents the week of September 21-28, in which the majority of Idaho falls under "Patchy" or "Partial" foliage.
Move the slider to the week of October 5-12 and you'll see that the Gem State is expected to be at full peak foliage, with much of the panhandle at near peak. Some areas of Idaho, including the very northern region and eastern corner, will be past peak.
Below's map represents the week of October 12-19. As you can see, this will be prime time for North Idaho foliage, whereas the rest of Idaho will be past peak at this time. If you live in the central or southern region of the state, you'll want to be sure to do your leaf-peeping a week earlier.
The great thing about autumn in Idaho is that brilliant fall colors are never that far away! No matter where you live, there's bound to be somewhere you can take in the changing leaves. Check out the list we compiled of the state's most beautiful fall destinations for some inspiration.
Have ever used this interactive fall foliage map? What’s your favorite leaf-peeping spot in Idaho? Share the love in the comments below. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
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