When do the leaves change in Idaho?
Western larch and aspen turn gold across the Sawtooth and Panhandle National Forests, with the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway and Coeur d'Alene's lake shoreline drawing color-seekers in late September and early October.
Peak: September 29–October 21
Color builds from September 23 · mostly bare by October 31
Idaho is sampled at 42 weather points, then moved 1 day earlier so the model agrees with 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Idaho is running 1 day later than its own average this year. Peak dates spread about 23 days inside Idaho, so the high ground turns well before the valleys. How the forecast works
Known for
Things to do in fall in Idaho
6 iconic stops, including scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Teton Scenic Byway
Scenic drivePeak September 29
Idaho Highway 31 runs nearly 70 miles from Swan Valley to Victor over 6,754-foot Pine Creek Pass, its aspen and cottonwood turning gold…
The Farmstead Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 18
The Lowe family's agritourism farm in Kuna, southwest of Boise, cuts a fresh corn maze each fall and opens a pumpkin patch alongside…
The Haunted World
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 20
Billed as Idaho's largest indoor-and-outdoor haunt, this attraction sprawls across more than 40 acres of Caldwell farmland west of Boise…
Ten Mile Farms
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks October 18
A Meridian farm just outside Boise running a corn maze with both a quick family route and a full sized version for anyone who wants to get…
Fright Nights at the Old Idaho Penitentiary
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 17
The state's actual 19th century territorial prison turns into a haunted house for adults only nights each October, with actors working the…
Harvest Market & Apple Palooza
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 12
Downtown Coeur d'Alene's farmers market turns into an apple tasting crawl for one October Saturday, with shops along 5th Street handing out…
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Idaho in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for September 29–October 21 (best estimate October 10). Color starts around September 23 and trees are mostly bare by October 31.
- How reliable is the Idaho 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 Idaho's autumn season?
- Idaho is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 39 days end to end, centered on October 10, and the last 12 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Idaho?
- The iconic stops: Teton Scenic Byway, The Farmstead Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival, The Haunted World, Ten Mile Farms, Fright Nights at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, Harvest Market & Apple Palooza. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
Nearby & similar
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak September 29–October 21
September 23 → October 31