When do the leaves change in Missouri?
Oak-hickory ridges and sugar maple hollows along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Ha Ha Tonka State Park turn color through the Ozark Plateau, generally peaking in mid-to-late October.
Peak: October 29–November 2
Color builds from October 16 · mostly bare by November 22
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 Missouri
10 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
State parkPeak November 2
The stone walls of a 1905 mansion, gutted by fire in 1942, stand above a Lake of the Ozarks inlet as the centerpiece of this 3,751-acre park near Camdenton. An easy 0.8-mile paved trail leads to the castle ruins, passing karst sinkholes, a natural bridge, and lake overlooks along the way.
Don’t miss: 1905 castle ruins · karst caves and natural bridge · Lake of the Ozarks overlooks
Katy Trail State Park (Rocheport)
TrailPeak October 30
The longest developed rail-trail in the country runs 240 miles across Missouri, and its Rocheport segment is the showpiece: an 1892 limestone tunnel through the bluffs opens straight onto river views and turning hardwoods, a favorite fall ride since the trail's 1990 debut.
Don’t miss: 1892 MKT railroad tunnel · 240-mile rail-trail · bluffs above the Missouri River
The Darkness
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 1
In its 33rd year of fear next to historic Soulard Market, this two-floor St. Louis landmark pairs detailed monster sets with a Slaughterhouse attraction and escape rooms. The 2026 season opens with a one-night Slasher Weekend on Sep 19 and closes Nov 13.
Don’t miss: Two floors of monster sets · Slaughterhouse attraction · Escape rooms on site
Weston Red Barn Farm
FarmColor nearby peaks October 29
A turn-of-the-century working farmstead northwest of Kansas City that has run school tours for over 30 years and weddings for 25. Fall brings u-pick apples and pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides, a maze, caramel apples and cider donuts.
Don’t miss: U-pick apples and pumpkins · Hayrides and pony rides · Cider donuts and caramel apples
The Beast
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 29
Full Moon Productions has been building fear in the West Bottoms since 1975, and its flagship walks you through voodoo curses, witch trials and a Jack the Ripper London across multiple stories of animatronics and illusions.
Don’t miss: Voodoo curse and witch trial sets · Jack the Ripper's London · Multi-story walkthrough
Best of Missouri Market
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 31
Missouri Botanical Garden's fall marketplace fills the grounds with food, crafts, and farm goods from small Missouri producers for one October weekend. The Japanese Garden and the turning trees are a good reason to walk the grounds on the way to the jam and cider stalls.
Don’t miss: Missouri-made food and crafts · Japanese Garden and fall color on site · One weekend only, October 9 to 11
Brookdale Farms
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks October 31
West of St. Louis in Eureka, Brookdale Farms opens a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and a sunflower maze for the fall season, with a petting zoo and hayrides that make it an easy half-day trip from the city. 2026 dates were not yet posted when we checked.
Don’t miss: Corn maze, pumpkin patch, sunflower maze · Petting zoo and hayrides · Half hour from downtown St. Louis
Bloomsdale Fun Farm
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks November 1
South of St. Louis toward Ste. Genevieve, this family farm runs a corn maze, a u-pick pumpkin patch, and flower fields alongside a trackless train, a jumping pillow, and apple cannons. The 2026 Fall Fest opens September 26, with the closing date not yet confirmed.
Don’t miss: Corn maze and u-pick pumpkins · Trackless train and jumping pillow · Handicap accessible grounds
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Missouri in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 29–November 2 (best estimate October 31). Color starts around October 16 and trees are mostly bare by November 22.
- How reliable is the Missouri 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 Missouri's autumn season?
- Missouri colors during autumn (September–November). Oak-hickory ridges and sugar maple hollows along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and Ha Ha Tonka State Park turn color through the Ozark Plateau, generally peaking in mid-to-late October.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Missouri?
- The iconic stops: Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Katy Trail State Park (Rocheport), The Darkness, Weston Red Barn Farm, The Beast, Best of Missouri Market. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Missouri?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Katy Trail State Park (Rocheport), The Darkness, Weston Red Barn Farm, The Beast; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Missouri
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 29–November 2
October 16 → November 22