Best Places to See Fall Colors in Missouri:Fall Color Forecast

This Map Will Show You Exactly When and Where Fall Foliage Will Peak This Year

People who live in Missouri believe fall is the best season of the year. Why? The humidity is finally bearable and so is the heat! The Show Me State is one of the best places in the nation to view the changing colors of fall. Reports are indicating that the display of autumnal colors will last a little longer this year and start a little later than usual. It looks like the best times this season will be in mid-to-late October. If you’re looking for guidance before booking a trip, you may want to visit SmokeyMountains.com and check out their mapping predictions. (Sample of how it works is in the above video).

Missouri Conservation Department
Forecasts Fall Colors

Fall Forecast for the St Louis Region

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation:”Predicting the peak of fall color can be difficult. Missouri is blessed with a great variety of trees, shrubs, and vines. Their leaves turn at different times, so Missourians enjoy a fall color season that may last four to six weeks. Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change, beginning in mid-September. By late September, black gum, bittersweet, and dogwood are turning.

Safest Places to Live in St. Louis

The peak of fall color in Missouri is usually around mid-October. This is when maples, ashes, oaks, and hickories are at the height of their fall display. Normally by late October, the colors are fading and the leaves beginning to drop from the trees.

The progression of color change starts earliest in north Missouri and moves southward across the state. Generally, the color change is predictable, but it can vary from year to year. Much depends on the weather.”

Beginning to Turn

The color change has slowed significantly because of the warmer-than-normal weather. Vibrant fall color depends on a number of factors, but having warm days with cool nights is rather important as we progress into the season. Some of the early-changing species, such as sumacs, dogwoods, ashes and walnut, have defoliated or turned brown with the drought conditions across the region. In areas that received scattered rain, some of these same species are still green and a few individuals have decent yellow color. In urban and suburban landscapes, sweet gum and red and sugar maples are beginning to turn. Typically, these are more mid-season species, so it’s likely that peak will be later than usual, but we’ll need some rain separated by some bright, sunny days and cool nights to get the best possible display. As mentioned before, our drought-tolerant native wildflowers continue to provide a good display of color.

Fall Color Hot Spots in St. Louis Region

Newest Update: 10-26-2018 from the Missouri Department of Conservation

Fall color has progressed nicely over the past week with the early and mid-season species reaching their peak in the metro area and to the south. In the northern part of our region, some of the early-season color is fading. Red and sugar maples, dogwoods, sassafras, persimmon, black gum, sumacs, spicebush, Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and hickories are especially nice right now. Oaks are turning in the outlying areas, especially as you get into Washington and Crawford counties. As you get closer to St. Louis, oaks are still mostly green, but they should start changing this next week. Expect most of the region to be at peak color within the next week to 10 days, barring any extreme weather events such as a hard freeze.

Fall Color Hot Spots

The forecasted rain and wind may cause more leaves to fall, so now is a good time to get out and enjoy the colors. Fall festivals are abounding, so there should be plenty of opportunities this weekend if the weather cooperates. Consider a trip down I-44 to visit Onondoga Cave State Park or Pea Ridge Conservation Area, or enjoy a nice fall float down the Meramec River and/or Huzzah or Courtois creeks.

LINKS

Onondoga Cave State Park
Pea Ridge Conservation Area
Meramec State Park
Huzzah CA
Mark Twain National Forest

Fall Color Hot Spots

We recommend visiting areas with restored native prairies or glades, including Forest Park, Shaw Nature Reserve, and Busch and Victoria Glades Conservation Areas.

Links:

Forest Park

Botanical Garden and Shaw Nature Reserve

Glades Conservation Area

Busch Conservation Area

See the Rest of Missouri Fall Color Forecasts Here
Get Your Free Copy of the Fall Home Buyers Guide Here

Things to Do in St. Louis

If you will be visiting the St. Louis area there is plenty to do and see here. There are kid-friendly attractions, adult activities, family amusements, and more. Some of the fun things you can experience while in St. Louis are only a click away: Things to Do in St Louis If you’re interested in real estate get our Free Fall Home Buying Guide