As the seasons change and cooler weather approaches, leaves across the northern U.S. are beginning to transform into the vibrant colors of fall, and two states in particular are poised to have the most colorful foliage displays this year.
Some of the most beautiful displays of the fall season could be in the Midwest this year, especially in Michigan and Illinois, according to ABC News.
Fall leaf colors peak at different times across the United States.
In the northern areas of the country, peak foliage season begins quite early, sometimes in the first week of September.
A view from the Porcupine Mountains, located in upper Michigan, is considered one of the best places to enjoy fall views and blooming autumn colors.
The downtown skyline of Grand Rapids, Michigan offers an incredible view of the city and surrounding nature during peak foliage season.
Michigan is expected to be one of two states with the best fall foliage this season.
Southern areas of the country typically peak between early and mid-November.
The time of appearance of these maximum colors and their intensity also depend on certain climatic factors, according to Management of urban solid waste.
Michigan’s peak colors will arrive a little later than normal this year, and the state’s recent dry weather is to blame, Evan Fisher, the founder of Explore Fall, told WWMT.
The state hasn’t seen much rain in recent weeks and some trees are starting to feel the effects.
Soil moisture in West Michigan is also drying out a bit, leading to warmer than average temperatures.
A historic street in Ottawa, Illinois, during an autumn afternoon shows the amazing street surrounded by red and orange colored trees.
Illinois has some of the best leaf-peeping destinations, including Chicago’s Lincoln Park, which is surrounded by trees and residential buildings as a backdrop.
Millennium Park, located in Chicago, offers a great space to walk and enjoy the fall views, with the infamous “bean” as a backdrop.
“Those late dry periods in late summer and early fall are what typically cause early leaf drop,” Fisher added. “It’s an unfortunate side effect, but it really just shortens the window of maximum color.”
“It doesn’t always mean duller colors. It depends a lot on the species. Some trees will get a little brighter if the soil conditions are drier and others will be duller.”
But when the weather is right, the leaves really begin to transform: Experts predict peak season will arrive in mid- to late October and possibly early November.
Peak foliage season in Illinois varies by state, with northern Illinois residents expected to be the first in the state to catch a glimpse of evergreen leaves, according to NBC Chicago.
Leaf-peepers in Chicago and other surrounding areas upstate are expected to see the colors in full bloom by the second week of October.
In central Illinois, you’ll have to wait a little longer, with the most attractive spots arriving in late October.
As for southern Illinois, the last week of October is peak season.
Fall colors at their finest are captured in a cemetery in Cumberland, Maine
Maine is the most forested state in the country and is full of natural parks, including the view (pictured) at Camden Hills State Park, located in Camden, Maine.
But despite having to wait patiently to enjoy the views, the Southwest has plenty of stunning places and destinations to enjoy the beauty of autumn, NBC Chicago added.
Every year, those who love a good view hop in their cars and travel to different regions of the country to experience one of nature’s most fascinating creations.
Leaf peeping, the act of traveling to witness nature’s annual “kaleidoscope,” brings in billions of dollars to the economy, especially in New England and New York, according to ABC News.
Maine is a fan-favorite state for its gorgeous fall season. The state’s tourism office was already preparing as September approached for an influx of tourists, ABC News added.
The state is almost completely surrounded by nature: 89 percent of the territory is covered by forests, according to USDA Forest Service.
The Catskill Mountains, located in upstate New York, are a beautiful experience in the fall with landscapes of colorful trees and surrounding mountains.
Saranac Lake, located in New York, has beautiful views of the water and surrounding trees that tower over the houses and give the lake a stunning color from the reflection.
Gale Ross, a spokesperson for Maine’s fall foliage, told ABC that the state “had an abundance of daily sunshine with just the right amount of rain to set the stage for a stunning foliage season.”
“The 2024 growing season has been an excellent one for trees, promoting their health and resilience, which should lead to brilliant fall colors throughout Maine,” Aaron Bergdahl, a state forest pathologist, told ABC.
Despite climate change and a warming planet that causes droughts and leaves to turn brown and crispy before they even reach their peak, Maine is already beginning to experience the changing of the leaves.
And tourism is expected to continue.
In the 24 states in the eastern half of the country that have brilliant fall colors, leaf-gazing can help generate more than $30 billion, according to Application status 125.
