There’s still time to plan a fall foliage trip in the US

Sep 19, 2019

1 MIN READ

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I’m a packing-cube enthusiast, always trying to cram one more thing into my backpack before I hit the road. My dream trip would start in an amazing city where I can soak up the culture, followed by some relaxation in nature. Some of my favourite destinations have been Sri Lanka and Croatia. I'm originally from Canada, but since joining Lonely Planet in 2016 I’ve called Dublin home - or at least my home-base between trips.

If you’ve procrastinated taking a trip to see the fall foliage this year, it might not be too late to plan one.

According to The Weather Channel, leaves will change colors later in the year in regions around the US due to warmer weather. Those vibrant reds, oranges and yellows tend to hit the Rockies and northern regions in mid-September and peak by late in the month, while early or mid-October sees colours light up the Midwest, Appalachians and the Northeast. However, this year will likely see higher-than-normal temperatures for the rest of the month – leading to delays in fall colors. The Weather Channel has based its predictions on the latest eight- to 14-day forecast from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

However, if you want to visualize where you might find the best colours, it might be best to check out the 2019 Fall Foliage Map, which helps users see when the colours might be at their peak around the country. Or, if you are heading to New York State, the tourism board updates its own fall foliage reports weekly.

Want to plan the perfect trip to New England’s best spots? This is the ultimate fall foliage road trip plan.

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