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Garden of the Gods

Fall Colors Trip Planner & Foliage Reports

Fall Colors Trip Planner

Discover the best places to find stunning fall foliage throughout Illinois. This interactive trip planner will show you the best times to discover photo-worthy fall spots for an unforgettable fall getaway. There's something truly special about witnessing the changing leaves and Illinois is one of the best states to enjoy this vibrant natural display.

Use our fall color tracker to help select the best time to see the changing colors all over Illinois this season. Simply use the slider to move through the fall months of September, October, and November. As you do, you'll see the colors change on the map below, indicating the start of fall foliage right through to the peak and end of the shifting colors.

The leaf indicators include fun fall trip ideas that will help you make the most of this spectacular fall color display.

The official Illinois Fall Colors Trip Planner, powered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

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Hover over or touch the leaf icons to view more details.

Northern Illinois Central Illinois Southern Illinois

Northern Illinois: Galena Area

Estimated peak times: Second week of October

Galena, an idyllic river town surrounded by tree-lined hilltops, is a beloved destination for fall foliage seekers. Enjoy spectacular views on a zipline journey with Long Hollow Canopy Tours, pay a visit to Horseshoe Mound Preserve and take in the incredible river scenery just 30 minutes south of town at Mississippi Palisades State Park.

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Northern Illinois: Starved Rock Area

Estimated peak times: Second week of October

Visit Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby to see waterfalls and colorful, tree-covered bluffs along its 15 miles of hiking trails. Immerse yourself in the seasonal splendor with a stay at The Cabins at Starved Rock Lodge, and don't forget to check out the awe-inspiring canyon and rock formations of nearby Matthiessen State Park.

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Northern Illinois: Chicago Area

Estimated peak times: Second week of October

Chicago's skyline makes for a dazzling display of its own, but look around and you'll see plenty of fall foliage popping up in places like Millennium Park, Lincoln Park and Jackson Park. Outside the city, you can't go wrong exploring the stunning scenery of Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe and Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford.

Central Illinois

Estimated peak times: Late October

Find yourself in the middle of picturesque farms and orchards, such as Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery and The Great Pumpkin Patch. Explore the town of Monticello, home to the 1,517-acre Allerton Park, and see the natural splendor around beautiful Lake Decatur, including the Rock Springs Nature Center.

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Southwest Illinois

Estimated peak times: Last week of October

The drive from Alton to Grafton along the Great River Road during peak fall color season is breathtaking. Stop at Pere Marquette State Park at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and, if you're brave, try Grafton Zipline Adventures for a stunning view from hundreds (or thousands!) of feet in the air.

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Southern Illinois

Estimated peak times: Last week of October

See the leaves turn to fire amid the canopies of Shawnee National Forest — with a great overhead view from Garden of the Gods. You'll find more outdoor trails at Giant City State Park, and it's the perfect time to hike near Carbondale or explore the Shawnee Wine Trail.

Plan a Road Trip

Week of October 12

The Land of Lincoln is bursting with fall colors! Mid-October means rainbow-views are now gracing much of Illinois’ rich scenic vistas!  Start planning your fall getaway right here at Enjoyillinois.com. 

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Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois is just a couple weeks away from peak! Black walnut trees have turned a medium golden yellow, while hickories are developing their own rich golden hues.

Hackberry, cottonwood, silver maple, catalpa and elm trees are transitioning to yellow shades of fall, enhanced by sunlight reflecting off the foliage. Sassafras and black cherry trees display striking purplish-red and yellow hues along the forest edges. Early glimpses of sugar maple color suggest a vibrant display in the coming days.

Much of the current fall color is appearing in trees turning wonderous shades of yellow, including redbud, mulberry, green ash, American elm, cottonwood, silver maple, catalpa, black walnut and hickory. Some black walnut trees seem to glow when illuminated by the evening sunlight.

Central Illinois 
Fall colors in the middle of the state are continuing to emerge across the landscape, with a variety of reds, oranges, yellows and violet hues. Sassafras can still be found displaying a variety of color, from orange to bright red.  Some hickories have already turned brown but just as many still have bright yellows and oranges to show.

Walnut, hickory, elm, hackberry, mulberry, silver maple, catalpa, pawpaw, honey locust, boxelder, spicebush and Osage orange are turning yellow. Sumac, and dogwood are showing crimson hues, while sassafras displays a mix of red, yellow and orange. Sugar maple and hybrid red maple in urban areas are beginning to show red, while rural sugar maples are developing hints of yellow, gold, orange and red.

Most oak species remain predominantly green, but that will change as fall colors become even more glorious.

Southern Illinois 

Southern Illinois colors are now showing hickory trees turning gold, while pawpaw trees in the understory are dropping leaves but retaining some yellow and green foliage. Sassafras and black gum trees are showing shades of red, orange and violet. Some are displaying full fall color, while others still retain patches of green. Sumacs are becoming vibrant, with fiery shades of yellow, orange and red along roadsides and forest and field edges.

Sweetgums are beginning to show a range of colors, from yellow and orange to red and violet. Virginia creeper and poison ivy vines climbing trees are adding splashes of yellow, orange, brilliant red and violet. Sugar maples are beginning to transition from yellow to orange, while elms and mulberries are starting to show speckles of yellow.

As fall progresses, the changing colors continue to bring new beauty to Illinois' forests and landscapes.

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The Best Places to See Fall Colors

Northern Illinois

  1. Starved Rock State Park, a storied natural area located less than 100 miles southwest of Chicago. Stay in the Starved Rock Lodge for amazing views overlooking the trees.

  2. The lush woods that make up over 10,000 acres of protected land at the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County.

  3. In Chicago, the fall trees are a great excuse to visit sites such as Millennium Park with its iconic Cloud Gate.


Central Illinois

  1. Farms and orchards, such as Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery and The Great Pumpkin Patch.
  2. The town of Monticello, home to the 1,517-acre Allerton Park.
  3. The area round beautiful Lake Decatur, including the Rock Springs Nature Center.
Tunnel Hill, Shawnee National Forest

Southern Illinois

  1. The canopies of Shawnee National Forest — with a great overhead view from Garden of the Gods.
  2. More outdoor trails (including horseback riding) at Giant City State Park.
  3. The many wine trails, lakes, and other activities near Carbondale.

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