2024 Update: The link below will show you exactly when and where the 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).
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.
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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.”
Here Are The Fall Color Updates for All of Missouri
Fall Color Report for the St. Louis Region
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation:
Update Posted 9-26-24
Within the city, there is little fall color so far, though more is starting to appear in some of the forested parks areas such as Forest Park and Tower Grove Park. There, we’re seeing some nice yellow basswoods, walnuts, and locusts. Nice reds are appearing on some flowering dogwoods, too. In residential areas, color is scattered. Color is variable within species, where some specimens are showing a bit of color, mostly in linden, tulip poplar, and ashes. Hackberries are turning a dull yellowish green. In some cases, individual trees, perhaps stressed, are letting go of their leaves. Other species where this is happening include redbud, serviceberry, and silver maple. Here, the light green or yellow leaves may be going beyond true fall color, as they wilt or dry before they actually change color.
Ultimately, besides some of the walnuts and similar species in places like Forest Park, there aren’t many trees with widespread color. Most of it is patchy within a species and within an individual tree’s leaves. Most trees are still entirely green, with at most some lightening of leaves.
In the greater St. Louis region (outside of the city), widespread color is hard to find. Still, you can find some sassafras, dogwoods, sumacs, walnut, elms, Virginia creeper, and black gum that are starting to change. Unfortunately, our prolonged drought has caused some early defoliation, especially on smaller trees. You can also spot a lot of dead ash trees this time of year due to the emerald ash borer.
Fall Color Hot Spots
Head out for a drive, hike, float, or find some other excuse to enjoy the early fall wildflowers this weekend. Glades and prairies such as Valley View Glades Natural Area, Busch Conservation Area, and Shaw Nature Reserve should have some very nice displays of goldenrods, asters, and sunflowers, to name a few. If we start to get some bright sunny days in the 70s and nights in the 40s, our fall color should progress nicely.
Click Here for Our Free Fall Homebuyer and Seller Guides
Learn More About Trees You Will See in Missouri
Oaks
Sassafras
Pawpaw
Persimmon
Dogwoods
Sumacs
Black Gum (Black Tupelo)
Sugar Maple
Hickories
Black Walnut
Sycamore
Poison Ivy
Eastern Redbud
Click Here to See the Fall Color Hotspots
For the Rest of Missouri
Enjoy the Season!
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
