Arizona Fall Color Report 2026: Where to See Peak Foliage
what's happening right now and updated throughout the seasonCurrent Fall Colors in Arizona
(Last updated: August 17, 2026)
Fall colors haven’t started in Arizona yet! I’ll be updating this section throughout the 2026 season with photos I’ve taken around the state so you can see exactly what conditions look like.
2026 Predictions: Arizona entered 2026 with significant drought stress following a warm and dry winter, which could affect the intensity and duration of fall foliage in some areas. However, a wetter monsoon pattern across parts of the state—particularly northern Arizona—may help improve soil moisture heading into fall.
🟢 Not Started | 🟡 Starting | 🟠 Near Peak | 🔴 Peak | 🟤 Past Peak
Flagstaff & San Francisco Peaks
Status: 🟢 Not Started
White Mountains (Pinetop-Lakeside & Greer)
Status: 🟢 Not Started
Payson & the Mogollon Rim
Status: 🟢 Not Started
Prescott
Status: 🟢 Not Started
Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon
Status: 🟢 Not Started
Tucson & Southern Arizona (Mount Lemmon & Madera Canyon)
Status: 🟢 Not Started
Phoenix & Central Arizona
Status: 🟢 Not Started
When Will Fall Colors Peak in Arizona?
Fall colors in Arizona typically begin at the highest elevations in late September before gradually moving to lower elevations throughout October and November. Exact peak dates vary each year depending on temperatures, rainfall, elevation, and weather conditions.
Flagstaff & San Francisco Peaks: Late September–mid October
White Mountains (Pinetop-Lakeside & Greer): Late September–mid October
Payson & the Mogollon Rim: Mid–late October
Prescott: Mid October–early November
Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon: Late October–early November
Tucson & Southern Arizona (Mount Lemmon & Madera Canyon): Late October–mid November
Phoenix & Central Arizona: Late November–early December
Arizona Fall Colors Posts:
Flagstaff in the Fall: Best Things to Do + Fall Colors
Flagstaff is one of my favorite places to visit in Arizona in the fall. While much of the state is still experiencing warm desert temperatures, Flagstaff brings cooler weather, golden aspens, scenic...
10 Best Places to See Fall Colors in Arizona
Arizona might be known for its desert landscapes and towering saguaros, but fall brings some surprisingly beautiful color to the state. From golden aspens around Flagstaff to colorful forests in the...
Arizona 2025 Fall Colors Timeline:
Wondering when Arizona’s leaves might change this year? Below are photos and videos I took around Arizona during the 2025 fall season. While peak foliage varies from year to year, these can give you an idea of what different areas looked like on specific dates last fall.
October 12 & 13, 2025- Downtown Flagstaff & Aspen Corner
October 17, 2025- Arizona Snowbowl Flagstaff
October 23, 2025- Prescott
October 28, 2025- See Spring/ Mogollon Rim
November 1, 2025- Sedona/ Oak Creek Canyon