When do the leaves change in Alberta — Canadian Rockies?
Golden aspen parkland gives way to larch-lit alpine basins in the Canadian Rockies, with Banff and Jasper drawing crowds for peak color each September.
Peak: September 27–October 5
Color builds from September 17 · mostly bare by October 20
Alberta — Canadian Rockies is sampled at 163 weather points, with no published peak dates to correct it against yet. Alberta — Canadian Rockies is running 3 days earlier than its own average this year. Alberta — Canadian Rockies does not turn all at once, and the gap from the earliest corner to the latest runs about 9 days. How the forecast works
Known for
Things to do in fall in Alberta — Canadian Rockies
12 iconic stops, including scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Peak September 10
The most sought-after larch hike in the Rockies climbs from Moraine Lake through subalpine meadows where entire larch forests turn gold for…
Vermilion Lakes
ViewpointPeak September 11
A quiet lakeside drive minutes from Banff townsite, where three shallow lakes mirror Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain.
Calaway Park Halloweekends
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks September 18
Calgary's outdoor amusement park turns into Hallotown for Halloweekends, a not-too-scary family Halloween with costumes and candy among the…
Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks October 2
A family farm on Lily Lake Road near Bon Accord, about 25 km north of Edmonton, growing more than 25 acres of pumpkins.
Calgary Farmyard
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks September 29
A fun farm in Rocky View County just northeast of Calgary, long known as the Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm.
Edmonton Corn Maze
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks October 3
A corn maze west of Edmonton in Spruce Grove, with pumpkins ready for picking from early September.
Kraay Family Farm Pumpkin Days
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks October 2
A Lacombe farm between Calgary and Edmonton that runs a corn maze, sunflower maze, jumping pillows, mini golf and gemstone mining alongside…
Haunted Calgary
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks September 21
A haunted attraction in Calgary that changes its theme every year, usually open the weekend closest to Halloween and on Halloween night…
Understand the season in Alberta — Canadian Rockies
Short explainers on why and when the color arrives here.
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Alberta — Canadian Rockies in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for September 27–October 5 (best estimate October 1). Color starts around September 17 and trees are mostly bare by October 20.
- How reliable is the Alberta — Canadian Rockies forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out. Mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is Alberta — Canadian Rockies's autumn season?
- Alberta — Canadian Rockies is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 33 days end to end, centered on October 1, and the last 10 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Alberta — Canadian Rockies?
- The iconic stops: Larch Valley & Moraine Lake, Vermilion Lakes, Calaway Park Halloweekends, Prairie Gardens Adventure Farm, Calgary Farmyard, Edmonton Corn Maze. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
Nearby & similar
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak September 27–October 5
September 17 → October 20