When do leaves peak in Texas in 2026?

Peak color is predicted for November 9–November 23 (best estimate November 16). Color starts around November 5 and trees are mostly bare by December 11.

How reliable is the Texas 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 Texas's autumn season?

Texas is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 36 days end to end, centered on November 16, and the last 16 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.

What are the best things to do in fall in Texas?

The iconic stops: Lost Maples State Natural Area, McKittrick Canyon, Caddo Lake State Park, Dark Hour Haunted House, Phobia Haunted Houses, 13th Floor Haunted House Houston. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.

When do the leaves change in Texas?

Texas foliage varies wildly by region: bigtooth maples blaze red at Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Hill Country, East Texas Piney Woods hardwoods turn gold, and Davis Mountains aspens color the far west, mostly in November.

Autumn foliage at Lost Maples State Natural Area — 📍 Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas· Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

2026 Forecast115 weather anchors

Peak: November 9–November 23

Color builds from November 5 · mostly bare by December 11

This window comes from 115 weather points across Texas, nudged 1 day earlier to match 2 published peak dates from tpwd.texas.gov and explorefall.com. This year's weather has the peak running 4 days earlier than a normal year. Texas does not turn all at once, and the gap from the earliest corner to the latest runs about 14 days. How the forecast works

Known for

Lost Maples State Natural Area
East Texas Piney Woods
Davis Mountains

Things to do in fall in Texas

20 iconic stops, including scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.

Lost Maples State Natural Area

State park

Peak November 23 2026 forecast

A relict stand of bigtooth maples, cut off from Appalachian relatives since the last ice age, turns red and orange along the Sabinal River…

McKittrick Canyon

National park

Peak November 6 2026 forecast

Bigtooth maples and velvet ash light up a spring-fed desert canyon inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park, usually peaking in late…

Caddo Lake State Park

State park

Peak November 16 2026 forecast

Bald cypress draped in Spanish moss ring a maze of sloughs and bayous on the Texas-Louisiana border, and paddling out from the park near…

Cider & donuts

Round Rock DonutsDonuts & cider · Color peaks Nov 23

Halloween

Towns & rides

Frequently asked

When do leaves peak in Texas in 2026?: Peak color is predicted for November 9–November 23 (best estimate November 16). Color starts around November 5 and trees are mostly bare by December 11.
How reliable is the Texas 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 Texas's autumn season?: Texas is in the northern hemisphere, so its color season is autumn (September to November). The turn takes roughly 36 days end to end, centered on November 16, and the last 16 of those are thinning canopy rather than color.
What are the best things to do in fall in Texas?: The iconic stops: Lost Maples State Natural Area, McKittrick Canyon, Caddo Lake State Park, Dark Hour Haunted House, Phobia Haunted Houses, 13th Floor Haunted House Houston. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.

See it on the map