Experience the beauty of Arkansas's fall foliage
Fall is one of the most popular times of the year to visit Arkansas because of its excellent fall foliage. Every autumn, nature paints the mountains and valleys of The Natural State with gorgeous hues of gold, red and orange. Many of Arkansas's visitors travel here for special fall vacations to catch a glimpse (and take some incredible photos) of the season. Scenic drives showcase autumn's finest while allowing you to explore the state's varied topography on a fun-filled road trip.
Fall colors begin to appear in the Ozarks and other northern sections of the state by the second week in October and continue slowly southward. Mid to late October generally provides peak fall color in the northern portions of Arkansas. October and November are two of the most popular months for visitors due to the beautiful fall colors and favorable weather.
The Natural State's autumn attractions aren't limited to scenery; fall weather is ideal for enjoying the variety of outdoor activities that the state has to offer. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Arkansas for camping, hiking, biking, and rock climbing. While many of our northern neighbors are covered in snow by the fall, Arkansas ranges from the 40’s to the 70’s in the fall months, making it a perfect getaway before winter takes over.
Fall Color Reports 2022
11/3/2022: It's a beautiful time to be in Arkansas! This season has delivered outstanding foliage in the Ozarks and as expected, moved down and east through the central regions, into the rolling hills of the Ouachitas.
Over in the Delta, fall color can look a little different. In contrast to the rest of the state, the Arkansas Delta offers a unique perspective of the season that stands out among the rest.
Will Newton, photographer for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, captured these images while touring the Lower Delta a few weeks ago, showing off the gorgeous fall color unique to the region.
Now is a great time for a scenic drive along the Great River All-American Road, a national scenic byway that follows the Mississippi River from its very beginning to its eventual flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
For a full authentic Arkansas experience, stop by an Arkansas Food Hall of Fame establishment along the way, like Jones' Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna or Tacker's Shake Shack in Marion.
In other areas of the state, fall color continues to develop. Mount Magazine State Park is exploding with splendid shades.
Kirk Jordan, chief photographer for Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, captured this shot of the iconic Mount Magazine cedar at sunrise just last week. Make your reservation at Mount Magazine State Park today to soak in these views yourself.
10/27/2022: The fall color in Arkansas is approaching postcard perfect and we wish you were here! Some trees are bold bursts of yellow or red, while others modestly fade from green to gold. It’s an exciting time to get out and experience the season throughout the state.
This week especially offers spooktacular events like the 10th anniversary celebration of the Arkansas Paranormal Expo in Little Rock at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.
Take a ghost tour at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs or have a frightening feast at The Witching Hour food truck in Bentonville.
Some of the most scenic views can be observed in our 52 Arkansas State Parks located across the state. With opportunities to enjoy camping, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, wildlife watching and more, it's easy to immerse yourself in the season.
Let these photos inspire you to find more places to explore during autumn in Arkansas.
Don't wait to plan your perfect fall adventure!
Visit Arkansas.com to catch the leaves before they hit the ground this year.
10/20/2022: After a few weeks of wondering “when?” the fall color finally began exploding this week across The Natural State. The season is entering the sweet spot of temperatures, foliage and festivities! Where will your Arkansas adventure lead you next?
From pumpkin patches or apple picking, fall hikes or classic scenic drives, the opportunities for leaf peeping are as endless as the leaves themselves. Find Fall Events at Arkansas.com to plan your ideal trip.
Check out photos below from across the state for inspiration! Include #ArkansasFall in your social media posts and you might see your photos in the next newsletter!
10/13/2022: We’ve noticed the sound of crunching leaves underfoot lately, a sure sign that autumn is underway! While green leaves slowly fade into their beautiful yellow, red and orange shades across The Natural State, seasonal festivities are in full swing.
War Eagle Mill in Rogers is hosting its annual fall craft show this weekend, offering access to hundreds of craft booths, live entertainment and food favorites set in a picturesque fall setting along the banks of War Eagle Creek.
A variety of color can be seen on the way to Batesville, where the Arkansas Scottish Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday. Hosted at Lyon College, fun events like Highland dancing and sheep dog demonstrations, along with traditional Scottish foods and craft vendors celebrate the heritage of the area and the roots of the college.
If fall color hasn’t reached you yet, or to get an idea of how color is developing while you plan your fall getaway, view the live stream videos from Eureka Springs to see foliage in real time. Expected to peak the first week of November, now is the perfect time to visit Arkansas.com and build your favorite fall adventure.
We're using the hashtag #ArkansasFall again this year to curate our gallery of autumn color in Arkansas. Be sure to tag us and use the hashtag in your posts - you might see your photo highlighted in this very newsletter!
10/6/2022: Patches of color are starting to pop around the state! Places with higher elevations are the lucky first to see changing hues, making this week a great time to travel through northwest and north central Arkansas.
A ride along Arkansas Scenic Byway 7, the state’s first designated scenic byway, will make it easy to see why the Ozark Mountain region was named one of the top 10 best destinations for fall foliage. Stop in at the Arkansas Welcome Center in Harrison for suggestions on everything from the best places to view fall color to where to grab a bite to eat.
Leaves aren’t the only things worth watching this time of year. Wildlife watching is a popular fall activity, and the elk in Boxley Valley are visible from turnouts on the road, allowing you to safely view them from your vehicle. While you’re nearby, stop by the Ponca Elk Education Center to learn more about the history and importance of the elk herd in the area. With the elk most active at dawn and dusk, it’s a perfect opportunity to rent a cozy cabin in the Buffalo National River area and treat yourself to a unique fall Arkansas experience.
While we patiently wait for the fall colors to fully take over, explore the Arkansas.com Calendar of Events to find festivities around the state like the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena-West Helena, Timberfest in Sheridan, the fall festival in downtown Van Buren, or the Fall in Love With Fall Celebration taking place at Devil’s Den State Park.
No matter where you explore, Arkansas has a fun fall experience waiting. Plan your trip today at Arkansas.com.
9/29/2022: We’re now a full week into fall and the morning air is a bit more crisp in Arkansas. Trees around the state are still holding on to their lush green shades but there seems to be a trend toward yellow in a few spots.
As you’re traveling this weekend, take a listen to the Mississippi Valley Traveler’s podcast featuring our Travel Writer Kim Williams to hear about fall adventures along Arkansas’s portion of the All-American Great River Road and the upcoming King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena-West Helena.
While we wait for the spectacular show of fall foliage that’s expected in mid-October, get a head start on planning fun fall outdoor activities and more at Arkansas.com.
9/22/2022: It’s officially fall in Arkansas! This time of year calls for road trips along scenic byways, reconnecting with nature and taking in the beautiful foliage of The Natural State. Today marks the first day of the season and a few hints of color are already starting to show. When can we expect the full fall color display in Arkansas? The diverse geography of Arkansas offers various peak times of fall foliage in regions throughout the state. The Ozarks and northern areas will often lead the way and peak in mid-October and into early November. A local meteorologist gives a potential forecast in this video. Throughout November the beautiful red, orange and yellow hues will move south. Autumn is a special time to experience Arkansas, from leaf-peeping to craft fairs and apple picking. Every Thursday through November 18, you'll get an email from us letting you know where the best fall foliage can be found. Start planning your trip today at Arkansas.com.