From Dakota cottonwoods to Ozark oaks — the plains flash gold north-first, and the highlands burn long into November. Typical timing for ND · SD · NE · KS · OK · MO · AR · IA, checked against the state color reports.
Sep 10Oct 1Oct 20Nov 20
Two clocks run the Central US: the northern plains — Red River cottonwoods, Black Hills aspen — flash gold in very early October, while the Ozark and Ouachita highlands burn oak-red from late October into November, the region's longest season. Tap a pin for our current estimate at each destination, and a link to local trip info.
Tap a white-ringed pin for the latest official report, or anywhere else for typical peak week.