When do the leaves change in Arizona?
Aspens gild the San Francisco Peaks and White Mountains by late September, while bigtooth maples set Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona ablaze in red and orange through mid-to-late October at lower elevation.
Peak: October 17–November 19
Color builds from October 19 · mostly bare by November 27
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.
Known for
Things to do in fall in Arizona
15 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Oak Creek Canyon
Scenic drivePeak October 22
Highway 89A drops 2,000 feet in 12 miles between Flagstaff and Sedona through a canyon of red-rock cliffs and bigtooth maple, with Oak Creek Vista's switchback overlook offering the classic view where Arizona's fall color meets its red rock.
Don’t miss: Oak Creek Vista overlook · Bigtooth maple against red rock
Lockett Meadow
TrailPeak October 19
A dirt-road trailhead inside the volcanic caldera of the San Francisco Peaks leads into the Inner Basin, where dense aspen groves ring Arizona's highest mountain and turn gold by late September, the state's definitive aspen hike above Flagstaff.
Don’t miss: Inside a volcanic caldera · Arizona's highest peaks
Hannagan Meadow
Scenic drivePeak October 18
US 191's Coronado Trail twists through more than 400 curves over the White Mountains' high country, and Hannagan Meadow at 9,100 feet, with its 1926 lodge, anchors Arizona's most remote and reliably golden aspen stretch, far from Sedona's crowds.
Don’t miss: 400-plus curves along US 191 · 1926 Hannagan Meadow Lodge
Fear Farm
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 22
Billed as Arizona's largest Halloween event, Fear Farm packs haunted houses, a Field of Fear corn maze and a gellyball zombie range onto one Valley site. The operation recently moved to a new McClintock Drive address in Tempe, and every ticket is sold online only.
Don’t miss: Arizona's largest Halloween event · Field of Fear corn maze · Gellyball zombie range
Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks November 23
For over 25 years this Queen Creek farm has run the East Valley's big October harvest party, with a four-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides, pig races and chili. Schnepf's own site says the farm "transforms into a harvest wonderland" every October.
Don’t miss: Four-acre corn maze · Pig races and hay rides · 25+ year tradition
Tucson Terror in the Corn
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 23
Run by the Buckelew family, who farmed Three Points for 30 years before moving the haunt closer to town, this Marana cornfield is now in its 26th season. Four haunts, a zombie shootout and what the site calls the region's biggest corn maze are stitched together by the corn itself.
Don’t miss: 26th season of scaring · Region's biggest corn maze · Four haunts plus zombie shootout
Mortimer Farms
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 6
Mortimer Farms sits in the high country between Prescott and Prescott Valley, where its Pumpkin Fest and Corn Maze take over the fields each fall. Wander the corn maze, pick a pumpkin from the patch, ride the barrel train, and stop by the Apple Barn for cider and baked goods before the market closes.
Don’t miss: Corn maze and pumpkin patch · Barrel train and farm rides · Apple Barn market and deli
Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 23
Vertuccio Farms runs its fall festival from October 2 through 31, 2026, turning this working farm east of Phoenix into a pumpkin patch with hayrides, farm animals, and food trucks. It is a straightforward, kid-friendly stop in Mesa for an afternoon outdoors once the desert heat finally breaks.
Don’t miss: Pumpkin patch and hayrides · Farm animal encounters · Food trucks and fall market
Guides
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Arizona in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 17–November 19 (best estimate November 3). Color starts around October 19 and trees are mostly bare by November 27.
- How reliable is the Arizona 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 Arizona's autumn season?
- Arizona colors during autumn (September–November). Aspens gild the San Francisco Peaks and White Mountains by late September, while bigtooth maples set Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona ablaze in red and orange through mid-to-late October at lower elevation.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Arizona?
- The iconic stops: Oak Creek Canyon, Lockett Meadow, Hannagan Meadow, Fear Farm, Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party, Tucson Terror in the Corn. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Arizona?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Oak Creek Canyon, Lockett Meadow, Hannagan Meadow, Fear Farm, Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Arizona
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 17–November 19
October 19 → November 27