McKittrick Canyon
National park · Texas
Bigtooth maples and velvet ash light up a spring-fed desert canyon inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park, usually peaking in late October or November, a 4.8-mile round trip past the stone Pratt Cabin to the canyon's famous grotto.
Don’t miss
Peak: November 7–November 11
Color builds from October 25 · mostly bare by December 3
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at McKittrick Canyon’s own coordinates and elevation (2318 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
McKittrick Canyon on the map
More things to do in Texas
Lost Maples State Natural Area
State parkPeak November 26
A relict stand of bigtooth maples, cut off from Appalachian relatives since the last ice age, turns red and orange along the Sabinal River each November, Texas's singular fall-color destination, popular enough that the park caps daily entries.
Don’t miss: Ice-age relict maple population · Sabinal River canyon trails
Caddo Lake State Park
State parkPeak November 17
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 Uncertain each fall brings amber cypress needles and still water among the largest cypress forest in the world.
Don’t miss: 1930s CCC cabins · Paddling among bald cypress
Dark Hour Haunted House
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 16
A Plano warehouse haunt staffed by the Sisters of Mercy coven, running full-contact scare experiences through the fall. The team also runs lights-on oddities like Chicken Night, billed on their site as "A FRIGHT FREE EVENT!" for visitors who want the sets without the scares.
Don’t miss: Sisters of Mercy coven cast · Warehouse-scale sets · Fright-free nights offered
Phobia Haunted Houses
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks November 26
Eight separate haunted houses stacked on one Beltway 8 site south of Houston, with two more at the company's Kemah Boardwalk location. Phobia tells visitors to arrive early and budget about 15 minutes per attraction, so a full eight-haunt run is a genuine evening out.
Don’t miss: Eight haunts on one ticket · Beltway 8 location · Kemah Boardwalk sister site
Frequently asked
- When does McKittrick Canyon peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 7–November 11 (best estimate November 9). Color starts around October 25 and is mostly bare by December 3.
- What is McKittrick Canyon best for?
- Desert canyon fall color in West Texas.
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