The Show Me State has lots to offer leaf peepers beginning in September. That's when the weather turns cool and leaves take on the magnificent colors of fall.
Watch for the earliest hint of golds and yellows come from sumac and Virginia creeper. Following the natural trend for "dressing up" for fall are the reds and oranges of black gums and dogwoods.
By mid-October, the stately oak, maple, hickory and ash trees follow suit -- resulting in a blaze of color throughout the state. Especially if you're traveling through the Branson area and the Missouri Ozarks, it's a show you don't want to miss.
Enjoy the whole day, or the entire weekend, during Missouri fall festival season. Have fun!
Branson pulls out all the stops with local artisan
demonstrations, a pumpkins fest, and thrill rides.
October 1 - October 31, 2023 -- Scarecrow Festival Eureka -- Most towns will light up their homes for Christmas, but Eureka goes all out in October with scarecrows posed in front of stores, churches, schools, and private homes in a fall festival spectacular.
October 1 - October 31, 2023 -- Maple Leaf Festival Carthage -- Check out the largest parade in Southwest Missouri plus a marching band festival, car and tractor shows, carnival rides, dog show, a lip-sync competition, and the always popular chicken pageant!
mid-September - late October, 2023 -- Harvest Festival Craft Days and Pumpkin Nights Branson --
Fall as only Branson can do it, featuring craft demonstrations from local artisans, plus thrill rides and ,magical glowing jack-o-lanterns as the sun goes down.
Fall in the Ozarks- Find updated fall foliage reports for Missouri and Arkansas
beginning in October, with suggested driving tours, day hikes & biking trails, photo galleries, photo tips, related travel info & lodging guides.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways - A top spot on many lists of U.S. "must see" places during fall foliage season, this site features information on recreational facilities, campgrounds, special autumn events.