Fall Color

Posted 10-16-25

We are finally starting to see some real color (other than brown). In the Central Region, the landscapes north of the Missouri River are currently showing much more color than areas south of the river. Our foresters have observed these recent changes:

—Persimmon is yellowing

—Smooth and winged sumac are turning red

—Sassafras is orange

—Dogwoods are turning red and orange

—Hickories are yellow, though most are brown already

—Sycamore is yellowing

—Mulberry and basswood are yellow

—Silver maple is starting to turn yellow

—Sugar maple is starting to turn orange

—Red maple is starting to get red

—Goldenrods are very yellow right now

Fall Color Hot Spots

To enjoy the current stage of fall color, we recommend viewing the wooded, south-facing bluffs in the area where Highways 63, 54, and 94 come together, north of Jefferson City, where sugar maples are starting to pop with orange. You can also visit the section of Mark Twain National Forest east of Columbia and Ashland, or, on the west side of US 63, hike at Three Creeks Conservation Area. In the coming weeks, as the band of fall color band continues to move south, we will see more color around the Lake of the Ozarks.

Posted 10-16-25

Trees in the Kansas City Region are still mostly green, with only sporadic fall color. This week, we’ve seen bright red peeking from black gum trees. Sweet gum and white ash are starting their magnificent show of vibrant yellows, reds, and purples. Yellows are slowly emerging in hickories, honey locust, cottonwood, walnut, hackberry, red and white mulberry, catalpa, pawpaw, sycamore, ironwood, ginkgo, redbud, and American elm. Maples are slowly developing oranges and reds, though many are displaying leaf scorch caused by various environmental stresses. Virginia creeper, poison ivy, and smooth sumac continue to glow along woodland edges. More rain would help fall color develop. If warm days and cool (but not freezing) nights continue, expect our region to burst into color over the next few weeks.

Fall Color Hot Spots

For fall color hiking, try Hidden Valley Park or Rocky Point Glades. Near the glades, to get a closer look at the canopy, go mountain biking, take a hike, or check out some of the other family-friendly activities near the glades. Keep an eye on the ginkgo trees on the south lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; when they turn vibrant yellow, it will happen almost overnight. Also, enjoy a drive down Blue River Road from Swope Park to Mission Lake. Also, VisitKC has a guide for more places to view fall color in the city.

Posted 10-16-25

Scarlets and purples are slowly starting to show in our region and will be especially striking in white ash, sumacs, sassafras, black cherry, wild plum, and dogwoods. Virginia creeper is the dark red vine that is very noticeable climbing up into the trees. Yellows are coming out in honey locust, green ash, hackberry, sycamore, persimmon, and tulip trees. Due to the late summer drought, you will see that our hickories have more of a dull rusty look instead of their typical buttery yellow. This becomes more noticeable the farther north you go in the region. Many black walnuts have already shed their leaves in areas. Select maples in urban areas have started to turn and drop their orange and red leaves early.

Overall, the color intensity is low and variable at this point; some members of a species are showing vibrant colors, while others are not turning at all. Our recent rain could help prolong our fall color, but with the winds that are expected in the coming days, we expect the leaves to start falling quickly.

Fall Color Hot Spots

For scenic fall color drives in our region, consider taking a drive on US 24 and all the lettered routes that are close to Mark Twain Lake. Take MO 79 from Hannibal to Louisiana to get the maple colors in the river hills. US 136 is currently closed due to bridge work, so stick to US 61 and MO 15 if you are in the northern counties. For hiking and photography, I would consider visiting Ranacker, Thomas Hill Reservoir, and Atlanta conservation areas, and Mark Twain Lake and Long Branch Lake.

Posted 10-16-25

What a wonderful fall season that is developing in northwest Missouri. Already there has been substantial change since last week. The recent shorter days and cooler nights have really brought out the color along the Missouri River loess bluffs. Shades of light greens, yellows, and reds are painting the landscape.

Virginia creeper is now in full swing and is visible throughout the wooded areas. Black walnut, Kentucky coffee tree, and honey locust are peaking, while others species are starting their process. Most of the maples in the landscape are transitioning into vibrant reds; in many cases, only half the tree is red while the other half transitions to greens below. The sandbar willows are now showing their colors. Persimmons are now offering tasty treats, and various oaks are now awaiting their turn. It is quite the sight.

Fall Color Hot Spots

Get out there and check out the fall colors! It’s a great time to see them, especially with all the fall festivities going on. Routh T north of St. Joseph leads along the scenic loess bluffs; you can also visit Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City. If you are looking for places to view fall color near the St. Joseph area, simply stroll down the St. Joseph Parkway. Enjoy this week’s fall color adventure!

Posted 10-16-25

Fall color is still moving a snail’s pace, with minimal dramatic change. However, there is certainly a difference in the landscape from the lush green of summer. Along the rivers, sycamores are three-colored, with brown, yellow, and pale green, but the mighty bluffs above them remain nearly unchanged. The usual suspects in the woods are red or still changing, including black gum and winged sumac. Flowering dogwood is a deep, dark red, especially along the forested edges. Sassafras is becoming conspicuous, with its bright red and orange leaves; look for colonies of these small trees in younger stands of timber or along wetter areas. Yet another brilliant red comes from red maples; they turn color at different times (especially ones in yards), but when they turn red, you can’t miss them. Hickories show an assertive yellow that is mixed with still-green leaves. Even some oaks, in the right light, are showing small changes. Several wildflowers are in bloom, including aromatic aster; its cool lavender contrasts with surrounding warm colors. Wild oregano, with its strong scent, has a solid purple flower. The goldenrods are beginning to fade, but they are still clinging to their fluffy yellow flowers, so emblematic of late summer and early fall.

Fall Color Hot Spots

This is the best time of year to catch the amazing, wild sound of the bugling elk. The best place in Missouri to hear them is at Peck Ranch Conservation Area, located between Winona and Van Buren. Peck Ranch has a scenic driving tour, and visitors can view elk from their vehicle. The best time to hear elk is in late evening and into the night, and in early morning. Peck Ranch also offers camping, lots of other wildlife viewing opportunities, and small shooting and archery ranges. The elk don’t bugle for long, so don’t miss this unique Missouri Ozark treasure!

Posted 10-16-25

Temperatures are still warm, but sunlight shortens each evening. Trees are finally telling us they are getting ready for their winter sleep. Amid the blandness due to late season drought, some fall colors are starting to accelerate. Green ashes display golden yellows; white ash show royal burgundy. Sycamores continue to brighten up in blonds. Osage oranges contribute more yellows, while dropping their dense, grapefruit-sized fruits to the ground (so watch where you step around forest edges and fence rows). Persimmons are showing plum and orange hues, both in foliage and in the delicious fruits they bear. Sugar maples are always the real fall showstopper, and they are finally starting to show bright flame colors on the upper portions of their canopies. Rain is in the forecast this weekend followed, by a dip in temperatures next week. Our fall color will likely peak after that, in the next week or two, so be on the lookout!

Fall Color Hot Spots

Unless it’s raining, soak in the sunshine pretty much anywhere: your favorite city park, your favorite hiking trail, fishing at your favorite pond, bow hunting in your favorite forested tract, or basking on a rock beside your favorite stream. There are so many places to explore in southeast Missouri; this week, we’re recommending the places below.

Posted 10-16-25

Color in southwest Missouri is sporadic, but we’re starting to see some changes. Recent cool nights have encouraged the annual shutdown of chlorophyll in some trees. Pockets of smooth sumac along roadsides are showing full bright red next to solid green patches. Occasional soft maples in communities have some red color; elms and black walnuts are turning yellow sporadically along with leaf drop; and scattered black gums are showing red. Sassafras are randomly turning color as well. All of these trees are scattered across the landscape. Many oaks and hickories are going directly to brown, while others remain green. More color changes are occurring in valleys, where cool air settles in the early mornings. The cooler temperatures expected this weekend may instigate more color changes for next week.

Fall Color Hot Spots

Regardless of the color changes being dramatic or random, fall is still a great time to get outside and enjoy nature. Visit a local park, walk your neighborhood, or visit a conservation area or state park. All of these places allow you to see nature. Watch animals, including insects, as they prepare for winter; notice the different trees’ subtle differences in bark characteristics; appreciate the many forms that wildflowers take as their seed heads dry and mature. These are ways to connect with what is happening around you all the time.

Posted 10-16-25

While fall color has been slow to develop, things appear to be picking up in sections of the St. Louis Region. Black tupelo have grown more vibrant as they continue their transition from green to rich red. Along the roadsides, sumacs have provided pops of red to make your drive more scenic. Maples have started to begin their fall color, which is always exciting to see!

On top of the pods of honey locust and Kentucky coffee tree, dogwoods and magnolias have their bright red fruit on display. They are not edible to humans, but are great sources of food for wildlife!

Fall Color Hot Spots

To see some of the recent changes, drive along wooded stretches of I-44 and I-64, where you can see some explosions of color among the green. Indeed, many routes outside the developed parts of the city offer beautiful scenery. This week, we also recommend visiting Weldon Spring Conservation Area, Young Conservation Area, and Pleasant Valley Nature Preserve.