Fall foliage isn’t just for those east of the Mississippi. The state of Arizona has its share of stunning fall colors. Locals and visitors can see fall colors in mountainous elevations and the high desert well into early December.
Through late October, rich yellows and reds are on display in areas such as Cottonwood and Camp Verde. Sycamore Creek near Cottonwood is home to the Parsons Trail – a quick hike that takes you to a creek lined with trees in various stages of their autumn transformation. The trail continues on another 3.5 miles to Parsons Springs – the perfect turnaround point for casual day hikers.
Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks offer gorgeous views of fall’s brilliance and the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort offers scenic chairlift rides through late October, showcasing all the fall beauty in the surrounding area. Visitors can use Flagstaff’s famous Leaf-ometer to find the area’s numerous amazing spots to catch the changing leaves at their peak.
In Southern Arizona, you can visit Mt. Lemmon, part of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It offers numerous trail heads, picnic sites, campgrounds, a lake and forest dense with changing trees. Further south in the Santa Rita Mountains is Madera Canyon and the Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Both popular birdwatching spots, in the fall they offer pristine views of the foliage. Ramsey Canyon also offers guided nature walks several times a week through November.