Northwest Georgia
Foilage color change is currently at peak as nearly all overstory trees have transitioned from green to a variety of colors. We’re seeing a more uniform shift to slightly muted tones of yellow, red, orange, gold, and bronze.
Northern red oak is in full swing, shifting from bright red and green to deeper maroon and muted red tones. Chestnut oak and white oak are providing brownish gold and yellow hues, adding to the overall mix of warm fall color across the landscape. Maple, which makes up a significant portion of the visible canopy, is currently providing a vibrant mix of either yellow, orange, or red, though yellow is the most common. Hickory is still holding strong with bright yellow leaves that stand out clearly across the canopy.
While the most intensely vibrant pockets may have passed, the broader landscape is now fully covered in fall color. The coming days should continue to showcase the seasons full range of color. However, each day past peak will bring gradual losses in vibrancy, as wind and rain strip away the remaining leaves, slowly revealing bare branches and increasing visibility across the landscape.
PERCENTAGE OF LEAF CHANGE:
- Above 3000’ – 95%
- Below 3,000’ – 85%
WEATHER:
Sufficient rainfall throughout the summer, followed by gradual and well-timed rain events in October, provided the necessary moisture and stability for even the more selective species (white oak, red oak, chestnut oak, and hickory) to develop strong, vibrant color. These later turning overstory species are now delivering some of the most striking hues of the season, contributing significantly to the quality and longevity of this year’s peak.
OUTINGS:
Route 1: Take Hwy 136 from I-75 to Hwy 341. Turn left on Hwy 341 / Hog Jawl Road. Continue on Hog Jawl through Mountain Cove Farms and up Doughtery Gap to Hwy 157. Turn right on Hwy 157. Turn right on Scenic Hwy 189 (or continue on Hwy 136 to Cloudland Canyon State Park). Follow Hwy 189 to Sunset Rock, Point Park, or Rock City. Drop down into Chattanooga via Ochs Hwy / 58. Turn right on Hwy 193 to get back to Hwy 136.
Route 2: Take Hwy 52 from Chatsworth to Ellijay (This route passes Fort Mountain State Park). From Ellijay, head West on Hwy 76 back to Hwy 411 (or head North on Hwy 76 into Blue Ridge).
North Central Georgia
The 2025 fall foliage season across north-central Georgia is coming to a close. Higher elevations are now well past peak across the mountains, which is normal for early November. Mountain valley locations and wind-protected areas less than 2,500 feet or so are still providing some spectacular and vibrant autumn displays!
Currently, some of the best locations for viewing the most vivid and brilliant fall colors are around the foothills and lower elevations such as Dahlonega, Dawsonville, Cumming, Gainesville, and Jasper. Many red oak and white oak species are nearing peak, along with hickories, and American beech. Also, it has been a very good year for sourwood, sassafras, and maple, with most of these species still holding on to some really nice and bright colors in the lower terrain. Overall, this has been an exceptional year for fall color enthusiasts to embrace the awesome autumn splendor that north Georgia offers!
WEATHER:
Widespread frost occurred this past weekend with widespread freezing temperatures in most mountain locations. This concludes the growing season in most areas across north-central Georgia, and earlier this week Brasstown Bald actually recorded some snowfall and had to suspend their shuttle service due to icy roads.
OUTINGS:
Over the next 5-10 days, the best locales for viewing the last vestiges of the 2025 fall foliage will be confined to foothill and lower elevations ranges within north-central Georgia. Areas such as Hall, Dawson, Lumpkin, Forsyth, and Pickens Counties should hold onto colors for another week or so! Cities such as Cumming and Gainesville offer fall foliage viewers a great opportunity to admire some autumn colors in a more urban forested setting. Also, many of these communities have some really great greenways and city parks to embrace the last remnants of fall.
State Route 136 from North of Gainesville to around the Dawsonville area is providing some great and vibrant late season fall color hues. Also, State Route 52 from Dahlonega to Amicalola Falls State Park is another great route and should offer some good color for another week. Elachee Nature Science Center in Gainesville is blazing with some spectacular colors at this time, and they offer some really nice hiking and mountain biking trails to enjoy the fall colors. Also, Linwood Nature Preserve in Gainesville, and Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville are both offering some very brilliant red, yellow, and orange fall colors with peak conditions occurring right now in these locales!
Northeast Georgia
The elevations above 3,000 feet are well into peak period with many of the understory species beginning to fade.
Oaks are reaching their peak and are presenting great views from the overlooks along with mountain side views from lower elevations. Sourwood, blackgum, and birches have begun to fade. Lower elevations below 3,000 feet are presenting great roadside and understory views amongst most all species.
Poplar and sweetgum have begun fading but have little contribution to the fall splendor outside of early river corridor viewing. Oaks in lower elevations are just entering peak period showing some colorful red, orange, and yellows. Fall colors begin in the northeast part of the state and work their way west and south.
Even as the trees lose their leaves, the views of mountain side rock outcrops and streams are spectacular. This weekend is the time to see the most fall color for this year.
WEATHER:
Rain and fog can hinder the viewing from overlooks and higher elevations in general, so make sure to check the forecast before planning an excursion. It can be sunny and clear in the piedmont and cloudy with mist or rain in higher elevations. Also, remember that temperatures can be 10 or more degrees cooler in higher elevations, so make sure to dress appropriately and take a jacket.
OUTINGS:
Higher elevation drives are providing excellent landscape views along overlooks along the Richard B. Russel Scenic Highway just northwest of Helen, and Black Rock Mountain State Park. The drive from Clayton to Sky Valley overlook is great as you can see the mountainsides in many places prior to reaching the higher elevations.
The links below will have numerous events, festivals, and celebrations.
Click here to view all of this week’s photos and access our 2025 Leaf Watch map.