Missouri’s fall color usually peaks around mid-October and finishes by mid-November, starting in the north and west and moving south and east, says the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). In its Oct 15, 2026 report most regions were only “beginning to turn” or “in progress”, so late October is the window this year. As of October 2026; read on MDC and Missouri State Parks pages on Oct 22, 2026.
Where are the fall color hot spots in Missouri right now?
These are the places MDC’s own regional foresters named in the Oct 15, 2026 fall color report. MDC posts a new report most weeks, usually by Thursday evening, until about mid-November.
| Region (MDC) | Status Oct 15 | Hot spots MDC names |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | Beginning to turn | Hidden Valley Park; Rocky Point Glades in Swope Park; the ginkgo trees on the Nelson-Atkins south lawn; a drive down Blue River Road from Swope Park to Mission Lake |
| St. Louis | Beginning to turn | Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Washington State Park, Cuivre River State Park, Forest Park’s Kennedy Forest Savanna, Reifsnider State Forest, Labarque Creek, Hickory Woods and Little Indian Creek conservation areas |
| Central (Columbia, Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks) | Beginning to turn | The bluff overlook trail at Grand Bluffs Conservation Area |
| Ozark (Rolla, West Plains, Eminence) | Beginning to turn | Highway 8 from St. James to Steelville; I-44 west of Rolla to Waynesville; Highway 19 and Highway 106 through Eminence toward Ellington |
| Southeast (Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Poplar Bluff) | In progress | Perry County and Tywappity community lakes; Lake Girardeau, Millstream Gardens, Amidon Memorial, Robert G. Delaney Lake and General Watkins conservation areas |
| Northwest (St. Joseph, Chillicothe) | In progress | Crooked River Conservation Area and the Loess Hills |
| Northeast (Kirksville, Hannibal) | In progress | None named; MDC says colors “will take off but will still be short-lived” |
| Southwest (Springfield, Branson, Joplin) | In progress | None named; eastern and northern counties show more color, and some trees browned in the drought |
When is peak fall color in Missouri?
MDC says peak is usually around mid-October, when maples, ashes, hickories and oaks are at their height, and that the season can run six to eight weeks. Color usually fades in late October and finishes by mid-November. In 2026 it is running late: the Oct 15 reports said several regions were still mostly green and expected more color over the following two weeks as nights cooled.
Which part of Missouri changes color first?
Northern and western Missouri usually turn first, and the change moves south and east across the state, according to MDC. Cities can lag the countryside around them because of the urban heat island, MDC’s St. Louis forester notes.
Are there guided fall color tours in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri State Parks and Boone Electric Cooperative run the 15th annual Katy Trail Fall Colors Tram Tours on Wednesday, Oct 28, and Thursday, Oct 29, 2026, from the Rocheport trailhead at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each tour lasts about two hours on the Katy Trail between Rocheport and McBaine. Preregistration is required and the suggested donation is $5 per person. See our Missouri state parks guide for park details.
Will the drought spoil the colors this year?
It may dull them in places. MDC’s Southwest report says many trees turned brown without their usual color because of drought, and the St. Louis report warns that if heat and dry weather linger, many trees may drop leaves before turning. Rain and nights in the 40s help, MDC says.
Making a weekend of it? See all Missouri events, Kansas City events, St. Louis events and Southern Ozarks events.
For dogwood, prairie and glade bloom, poison ivy and the plant-picking rules, see Missouri wildflowers and plants.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Conservation, Fall Color and the regional Fall Color Reports (reports posted Oct 15, 2026), read 22 Oct 2026
- Missouri State Parks, 2026 Katy Trail Fall Colors Tours, read 22 Oct 2026
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Cite this page: It's Missouri, “Where is the best place to see fall foliage in Missouri?”, itsmissouri.com/answers/where-is-the-best-place-to-see-fall-foliage-in-missouri/ (updated ). By the It's Missouri editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.