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Alabama’s Wonderful Fall Colors

Alabama’s mild summer should produce a very vibrant color change this fall.

The North Alabama highlands will transform into a bright sea of yellow poplars, scarlet dogwoods, orange maples, and golden hickories. Fall colors traditionally peak in Alabama during late October and early November.

Group Travel Leader magazine named North Alabama along with Maryland, Massachusetts, and Delaware as one of the top places for “falling in love with fall.” The magazine mentioned several Alabama state parks as great locations for viewing fall color.

Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne, Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, and Cheaha State Park near Lineville are among top spots for fall color.

Alabama State Parks Director Mark Easterwood said there are several sites in these parks that are especially scenic during the fall color change.

Joe Wheeler has a wonderful spot next to the dam and near the cabin area on the Lawrence County side. DeSoto boosts great autumn scenery at Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls. Monte Sano has breathtaking views of the Tennessee Valley along the Warpath Ridge Trail and its overlook. Cheaha is the highest point in the state at 2,407 feet above sea level.

Cheaha’s Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock trails both have spectacular views. Other state park areas and fall color sites can be found in the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel’s Fall Color Trail brochure.

The Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel provides leaf watchers with weekly updates on fall colors, recommended scenic drives, and special fall activities. These weekly updates and copies of the Fall Color Trail brochure are available on the state tourism website at www.800alabama.com or by calling 1-800-ALABAMA.