“When will fall color peak?” is a common question for park rangers in autumn. Only Mother Nature knows for sure, but Georgia’s most vibrant hues usually come toward the end of October or early November. To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia State Parks has launched “Leaf Watch 2021” to track autumn color as it moves across the Peach State.
Found at GaStateParks.org/LeafWatch, the travel planner is filled with top trails and overlooks, mountain cabins and campsites, fall events and safe hiking tips. Shutterbugs are encouraged to share their favorite shots on Instagram, tagging #GaLeafWatch and @GaStateParks for a chance to have their photos featured by the park system.
With a wide variety of trails and accommodations, state parks make for the perfect fall-themed escape, filled with cozy campfires and gooey s’mores. Since parks have been especially busy during the past year, rangers encourage guests to visit on weekdays or to explore lesser-known destinations like Victoria Bryant, James H. Floyd or Don Carter state parks.
The key for a vibrant autumn is warm sunny days coupled with very cool – but not freezing – nights. Most years, Georgia’s mountain parks peak toward the end of October. Color continues to blanket lower elevations into early November. Even some locations in southern Georgia sport beautiful hues into late November, such as George L. Smith and Providence Canyon state parks.
From cabins to campsites and “glamping” yurts, Georgia’s State Parks offer a variety of accommodations where leaf peepers can stay in the heart of autumn scenery. Officials advise visitors to make reservations as soon as possible, even for October 2022, since it is not uncommon for mountain cabins to be booked more than a year in advance. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-864-7275 or at GaStateParks.org.
GA DNR / GA State Parks
