When do the leaves change in Georgia?
North Georgia's Blue Ridge foothills turn hickory, sourwood, and maple gold along the Richard Russell Scenic Highway and around Vogel State Park, with peak color typically arriving in late October to early November.
Peak: November 13–November 22
Color builds from November 3 · mostly bare by December 12
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 Georgia
14 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Amicalola Falls State Park
State parkPeak November 4
Georgia's tallest waterfall drops 729 feet in a series of cascades below the state park's namesake lodge, with the approach trail to Springer Mountain (the Appalachian Trail's southern end) coloring up through October in mixed oak-hickory forest.
Don’t miss: 729-foot cascading waterfall · Appalachian Trail approach · Overlook decks and stairs
Tallulah Gorge State Park
State parkPeak November 2
A two-mile, nearly 1,000-foot-deep gorge carved by the Tallulah River, crossed by a suspension bridge 80 feet above the water, with rim and floor trails set against oak-hickory color that peaks in late October.
Don’t miss: Suspension bridge over the gorge · Rim and gorge-floor trails · Scheduled whitewater releases
Burt's Farm
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 5
This 40-acre family farm on Georgia 52 just south of Amicalola Falls has grown pumpkins since the 1980s, with hundreds of varieties spread across the fields alongside popcorn, gourds, hayrides, and boiled peanuts every September and October.
Don’t miss: Hundreds of pumpkin varieties · Hayrides · Boiled peanuts and kettle corn
Rock City Gardens
GardenPeak November 10
Frieda Carter's rock-garden trail winds through ancient sandstone formations atop Lookout Mountain to Lover's Leap, where the barn-roof-advertised promise to 'See Rock City,' a Southern roadside icon since the 1930s, delivers a seven-state view on a clear fall day.
Don’t miss: Lover's Leap overlook · Swing-A-Long Bridge · Seven-state view
Helen, Georgia
Historic townColor nearby peaks October 30
A former logging town rebuilt as a Bavarian alpine village in the 1960s, Helen hosts the country's longest-running Oktoberfest, with polka bands and steins inside the riverside Festhalle running from mid-September into November.
Don’t miss: Longest-running U.S. Oktoberfest · Riverside Festhalle beer hall · Alpine-village architecture
NETHERWORLD Haunted House
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 13
One of the most decorated haunts in America, NETHERWORLD is known for enormous custom creatures and effects built in-house. Its 2025 run was billed as the 29th Season of Screams, and it took USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice honors in both 2024 and 2025.
Don’t miss: Giant custom monsters · Two haunts plus midway · Nearly 30 seasons running
Ghosts & Gravestones Savannah
Ghost tourColor nearby peaks November 23
A trolley "frightseeing" run through Savannah's historic district, boarding at the Simply Savannah Depot on River Street. Tours depart nightly and last about 1 hour and 20 minutes, with costumed guides working the city's cemeteries, squares and haunted houses.
Don’t miss: Nightly trolley departures · Historic district and cemeteries · About 80 minutes
Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 13
The Austell park hands its midway over to scare zones, haunted mazes and after-dark coaster rides on select nights from Sep 12 through Nov 1, 2026. A daytime Tricks and Treats program runs the same window, so families can split the day between candy and carnage.
Don’t miss: Scare zones and haunted mazes · Coasters in the dark · Daytime Tricks and Treats
Guides
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Georgia in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 13–November 22 (best estimate November 18). Color starts around November 3 and trees are mostly bare by December 12.
- How reliable is the Georgia 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 Georgia's autumn season?
- Georgia colors during autumn (September–November). North Georgia's Blue Ridge foothills turn hickory, sourwood, and maple gold along the Richard Russell Scenic Highway and around Vogel State Park, with peak color typically arriving in late October to early November.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Georgia?
- The iconic stops: Amicalola Falls State Park, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Burt's Farm, Rock City Gardens, Helen, Georgia, NETHERWORLD Haunted House. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Georgia?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Amicalola Falls State Park, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Burt's Farm, Rock City Gardens, Helen, Georgia; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Georgia
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak November 13–November 22
November 3 → December 12