National Forests in Alabama

Good routes to enjoy fall colors include Lawrence County Road 6 to Winston County Road 60 from Alabama 33 to Rabbittown. The Sipsey River Recreation Area and the Sipsey Wilderness Area are along this route.

Other areas include: Forest Service Roads 208, 229, 223 and 213; Forest Service Roads 210, 203 and 213; and Forest Service Road 245 or Pine Torch Road, 262 and 249; Forest Service Road 255, Hickory Grove Road, Alabama 33 from Double Springs to Moulton and Alabama 278 from Double Springs to Addison.

Last updated: Oct. 29, 2004

Red maples are turning yellow, orange or crimson; dogwoods are turning crimson to dark crimson; sourwoods are bright to dark crimson; hickories are bright yellow to tan; oaks are dark crimson to brown; and yellow poplars are bright shades of yellow to light brown.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (GA)

Chattahoochee NF:Average 80 Percent. (Tallulah and Chattooga)

Oconee NF: 40 Percent

Brasstown District-Highway 180 by lake Winfield Scott, Highway 129 north from

Cleveland .

Armuchee- Cohutta- GA Highway 52 from Chatsworth to Ellijay

Chattooga- Richard Russell Scenic Highway and 75 North

Tallulah- 76 West, Stamp Creek Road

Oconee- Highway 441 south of Madison, Hwy 44 East from Eatonton to

Greensboro , all routes surrounding Lakes Oconee and Sinclair

• Estimated peak viewing period: Most districts are at peak now or will peak in the next week, the Tallulah will peak the 1 st week in Nov. The Oconee 2nd week in November

NA

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004.    

Cherokee National Forest (TN)

Highest elevations: -100 Percent

Lower elevaitons: 90 Percent

• Cherohala Skyway-very nice drive
• Hiwassee River
• Ocoee Scenic Byway
• French Broad River
• Holston Lake
• Roan Mountain

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

Cherokee Northern -- There should still be some opportunity to view the peak through the end of this week. It looks as if they will get some rain in the later part of the week and that will probaly wrap up the leaf viewing opportunities on the North End.

Cherokee Southern -- There is still plenty of opportunity to view the fall colors on the Southern End, we should be at PEAK this weekend.

Daniel Boone National Forest (KY)

• KY 90 from US 25 to US 27
  KY 89 from Lamero to McKee
  Zilpo National Scenic Byway
  Red River Gorge Scenic Byway
  Wilderness Road Heritage Highway
  Country Music Highway
• Cave Run Lake and Lauarel River Lake

Last updated: Oct. 21, 2004

Peak color is expected this weekend. Cool weather mixed with heavy wind and rain resulted in early leaf-off for some tree, but plenty of rich color remains on the the oaks, hickories and maples. The landscape is interspersed with shades of brown, gold, red and orange. The colors are expected to peak by the end of October.

Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (SC)

Sumter 35 % (Oconee County – 80 Percent)

Francis Marion 5 Percent

• Sumter
  • All roads in northern Oconee and Pickens counties are now at 100% fall color. Visit Highways that run between South and North Carolina, HWY 107 between Walhalla, SC and Cashiers, NC; HWY 130 between Salem, SC and Lake Toxaway NC; and north on HWY 178 at Highway 11 ending near Rosman, NC.
  • Highway 28 near the Georgia State line.
  • Winding Stairs Road , gravel road between Cherokee Lake and Highway 107
  • All other roads are displaying about 80% of their fall color.
  • Highway 25 North from Edgefield , SC to Greenwood , SC.
  • Highway 230 North from North Augusta , SC., then west on Highway 23 to Modoc
  • State Highway 574 to Woods Ferry Recreation Area, Chester County
  • State Road 16 south out of Union County

Estimated Peak Period:

Sumter: Last week of October

Francis Marion: First week in mid-November

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

Sumter:Trees currently with color change are dogwood, sourwood, persimmon, and blackgum.

The leaves on the Francis Marion on the coast of South Carolina are starting to change.

George Washington and Jefferson
National Forests (VA)

• 75-90% in most areas, 100% in some areas. Leaves are beginning to fall from trees in higher elevations.

• Recommended viewing routes:

• Routes 250 & 629 & 614

• US 220 from Fincastle , VA – Moorefield , WV . Interstate 64. Plan your travel route so the sun is at your back thus accentuating the colors. Try to avoid rainy, cloud, or overcast days.

• US 311 thru Craig County and State Route 42 from New Castle to Newport .

• From Blacksburg , take 460 west toward Pearisburg then Route 621 toward Roanoke

• Route 56 and The Blue Ridge Parkway 603 to Route 58.

• High Knob can be reached by traveling south on State Route 619 from Norton, turning left onto Forest Service road 238, then the next right is the tower access road.
• Birch Knob Tower can be reached by turning on the Brush Creek Road in Clintwood; soon you’ll cross the Pound River , then bear right up the hill just on the other side of the river. Follow that road for a few miles, then turn left onto Forest Service road 616; go to near the top, then stay left at the Mullins Pond sign. You’ll go another mile or so, and come to the tower parking lot. There are directional signs beginning in Clintwood.

At peak in elevations under 2000’. We are past peak at higher elevations.

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

• Area with greatest color: mid-elevations (less than 2000’), upper elevations are fading. Maples are still brilliant in many places. Shenandoah Mtn. , Route 603, Sinking Creek (Hwy. 42 from New Castle to Newport ; US 311 from New Castle to West VA state line on Peters Mtn.

Kisatchie National Forest (LA)

Calcasieu Ranger District - Evangeline Unit (Rapides Parish) from Alexandria, La. take LA Hwy 28 West to LA Hwy 121 South to LA Hwy 112 East or vice versa

Calcasieu Ranger District - Vernon Unit ( Vernon Parish) from Pickering , La take LA Hwy 10 East to LA Hwy 463 North

Kisatchie Ranger District ( Natchitoches Parish) From Alexandria , La take I-49 North to LA Hwy 119 South to LA Hwy 59 West to LA Hwy 117

Winn Ranger District (Winn Parish) From Winnfield, La take US Hwy 84 West and From Calvin, La take LA 156 West to Goldonna, La

Catahoula Ranger District (Grant Parish) From Tioga, La take US 167 North to Winnfield, La or From Ball, La take US 165 North to Georgetown , La

Caney Ranger District (Webster & Claiborne Parishes)

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

There is very little color change at this time

Land Between the Lakes (KY)

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

Recent rains have washed most leaves from the trees.

National Forests in Mississippi (MS)

10-15 percent at highest elevations

Natchez Trace Parkway runs 444 miles from Natchez in southern Mississippi to a point just south of Nashville, Tenn., cutting across a corner of Alabama .

• Boat rides showcase the beautiful fall colors on the Mississippi River .
• The Ross Bennett Reservoir along the Natchez Trace Parkway near Jackson .
• Dogwoods in color alongside the parkway near Tupelo , Mississippi .

De Soto NF

Interstate 59

Hwy. 49 Jackson to Gulfport

Holly Springs NF

Hwy. 4 from Holly Springs to Ashland

Hwy. 5 towards Blue Mountain

Hwy. 370 from Ashland to Faulkner

Homochitto NF

Hwy. 33

Forest Service Road 119

Tombigbee NF :

North End

Natchez Trace Parkway or Natchez Trace Scenic Drive around Davis Lake , MS ,

Hwy.15 North of Houston to MS 32 and/or the Davis Lake Road & US 45 to Tupelo .

South End

MS 15 – Ackerman, MS- Choctaw Lake Road to Choctaw Lake Recreation Area

to Upper County Road or Sheep Ranch Road to MS 25 to Bluff Lake Road ,

Betheden and Bevil’s Hill to Morgantown Road to MS 12 at Sturgis , MS .

• State Capitol, Jackson, and east central Miss should peak during the last weekend in October or 1 st week in November.
• The Delta region and the southwest corner of the Homochitto NF will likely peak late October to mid November. Peak color in the south-central part of the Homochitto is likely the 2nd week in November.
• Final colors in the state should peak on North end of De Soto NF around last week October-1 st week in November and finish up on the south end mid/late November to early December.

South: 50s - 60s mornings -70s - 80s afternoons

North: 40s -50s early am and 60s -70s afternoons

Last updated: Oct. 21, 2004

• Red Maple trees are showing exceptional color. Hickory is beginning to show goldish-yellow leaves, as are Ginkgo, Green Ash, and Elm. Sweet Gums are beginning to turn deep shades of crimson, mixed with splatters of orange. Bradford pears are beginning to show shades of red; so are the re d oak, black gum, and Japanese maple.

• Best color will be at elevations of 300’ and above
• Brown color changes are due to extremely dry summer season.
• Cooler temperatures and rainfall may lead to more rapid color changes

National Forests in North Carolina (NC)

100 Percent

Along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (U.S. 276)

For a view of color in the higher elevations, drivers can head on the byway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, where they can turn and head north to Asheville.

At Peak

Last updated: October 27, 2004

Fall leaf watchers should head for the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend for a spectacular fall color show. The National Forests in North Carolina are offering a full spectrum of color. From Asheville, go south on the parkway, and turn onto NC276 toward Brevard. The striking change is this week's color are the red maples' bright reds and oranges. The sasafras and sweet birches are still displaying lots of yellow, and the dogwoods and sourwoods are deep maroon.
Although some colors are muted and leaves are starting to fall, bright colors are still overwhelming the landscape. In the understory, you'll see yellow Virginia creeper climbing up trees, and golden Dutchman's pipe. With the backdrop of green rhododendrons and hemlock, the yellow fall color stands out.

National Forests in Texas (TX)

Angelina  NF:
• Hwys 63, 147, and 103E
• FM 705 to Caney Creek

Davy Crockett:
• Hwys 7, 103W, and 21 to Ratcliff Lake
• FM 2262 to Alabama Creek WMA.

Last updated: Oct. 21, 2004

Due to milder than normal temperatures and shorter days, reds and golds have begun to appear in many different species of East Texas trees. Though not as dramatic as fall foliage in the northeast, Texas forests usually provide a beautiful array of color starting early-to-mid October.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forest (AR))

70-80% turned in Mt. Magazine State Park area. 50 percent at highest elevations – black and sweet gum trees, dogwoods (losing leaves), maples, sassafras and sumac have turned color. North facing slopes showing greatest change. Summer and fall weather conditions may result in muted, subdued colors this year.

• State Highway 309 leading up to Mt. Magazine State Park; Hwy 23 north, Hwy 71 north, White Rock Mountain area

Last updated: October 28, 2004 .

• Cool nights and recent rainfall are causing some rapid color change. Conditions in August and September may have dried out many leaves preventing brilliant color changes; any combination of wind and rain may cause leaves to drop suddenly bringing the color season to an abrupt end.

Ouachita National Forest (AR-OK)

• Talimena Scenic Byway still mostly green and brown
• US 259
• Views from the top of Rich Mountain are spectacular, even with muted color conditions.

• Fair color along all of Highway 23 north from Waldron up into the Ozark National Forest; Hwy 71 south from Elm Park Rest Area to Waldron.

Last updated: Oct. 27, 2004

Instead of the brilliant color season we’d hoped for, summer and fall weather conditions are causing muted, subdued colors this year. Any combination of wind and rain may cause leaves to drop suddenly, bringing the color season to an abrupt end.