It’s late October and Georgians are finally enjoying sweater weather. Along with carving pumpkins and sipping spiced lattes, leaf-watching is a favorite autumn activity.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has put together a list for lovers of fall foliage.
Visit Leaf Watch to learn about the best state parks for viewing the changing leaves. It includes:
Nine of the top 10 state parks for viewing leaves are in northern and northeastern Georgia.
While most of the parks featuring hardwood trees with variegated leaves are north of Atlanta, Georgia’s largest state park, F.D. Roosevelt Park (in Pine Mountain, 80 miles southwest of Atlanta) is in the central part of the state, so its peak colors may arrive closer to mid-November. Cloudland Canyon, located on the edge of Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia near the Tennessee border, is another top pick, and it is expected to peak before the end of October.
When will leaves peak? Now or soon
Check out this prediction map, which shows phases of peak color in Georgia.
According to the map, this Halloween weekend will have peak color for most of North Georgia, with Middle Georgia showing near peak colors and South Georgia showing partial peak.
The Atlanta area can expect peak color around Nov. 6.
“Trying to predict the peak of fall color year to year is a challenge since much depends on the weather and the microclimate around each tree,” the Georgia Forestry Commission website states. “Fortunately, Georgia’s variety of tree species ensures you can count on a show of fall colors each year.”
This article appears here in partnership with GPB News
