Fall Foliage Map 2018: When Autumn Leaves Peak In Georgia

ATLANTA, GA — While it's officially fall, it will feel like summer this week in Georgia, but fall temperatures will inevitably arrive, and leaves will change colors to blazing reds, vibrant oranges and sunny yellows. Exactly when will that happen in the Peach State? You can't know precisely, but there's a tool to help you plan excursions around the dates when fall foliage should be at its most fabulous.

The Fall Foliage Prediction Map, found on the Smoky Mountain National Park website, includes predictions not just for the Smokies, which rise above the Tennessee-North Carolina border, but for all 50 states. In northern Georgia, fall colors are expected to peak around the week of Nov. 5, although it will happen around Nov. 12 in central Georgia and Nov. 19 in the southern third of the state.

Typically, Georgia's mountain parks peak in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Tallulah Gorge and Vogel. Since mountain parks are heavily visited on October weekends, travelers may want to explore lesser-known parks which can be vibrant as well. Hardwoods and mossy rock gardens can be found at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus.

The Peach State offers some stunning vistas with hikes and trails to get into nature, including these state parks suggested by the Georgia State Parks website:

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Dawsonville: Just an hour north of Atlanta you’ll find the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall.

Black Rock Mountain State Park — Clayton: At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia’s highest state park. Roadside overlooks and the summit Visitor Center offer sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cloudland Canyon State Park — Near Chattanooga: A favorite hike takes you down a staircase to the bottom of the canyon, where you’ll find two waterfalls.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park — Pine Mountain: Many people are surprised to find hardwood forests and rolling mountains south of Atlanta. For a touch of history, drive to Dowdell’s Knob to see a life-size bronze sculpture of President Franklin Roosevelt and views of the forested valley.

Fort Mountain State Park — Chatsworth: This park is best known for a mysterious rock wall along the mountain top, plus a variety of trails. For the easiest walk, take the 1.2-mile loop around the park’s green lake.

Moccasin Creek State Park — Lake Burton: Georgia’s smallest state park sits on the shore of a deep-green lake. Guests can choose from the 2-mile Hemlock Falls Trail or 1-mile Non-Game Trail with a wildlife observation tower.

Smithgall Woods State Park — Helen: Protecting more than 6,000 acres around Dukes Creek, this is the perfect spot for fly fishing while enjoying fall color. Day visitors can picnic near the creek, and overnight guests can hike a private trail to Dukes Creek Falls.

Tallulah Gorge State Park — Near Clayton: Find one of the most spectacular canyons in the Southeast, and choose from easy or difficult trails. Hike along the rim to several overlooks with waterfall views, or get a permit from the park office to trek all the way to the bottom.

Unicoi State Park & Lodge — Helen: New ziplines take you high above the forest canopy for a unique view of leaves.

Vogel State Park — Blairsville: The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail makes a nice day trip for experienced hikers, offering a birds-eye view of the park’s lake. For an easier walk, follow the Lake Loop to a small waterfall below the dam.

George L. Smith State Park — Twin City: Join Mill Pond Kayak for a guided paddle trip under Spanish moss and tupelo trees. Photographers will appreciate exploring a covered bridge built in 1880.

James H. Floyd State Park — Summerville: This quiet park in northwest Georgia has five miles of hiking trails, plus access to the 60-mile Pinhoti Trail.

Victoria Bryant State Park — Royston: Located just minutes from I-85 in north Georgia, this little known gem has eight miles of hiking trails, a pretty stream and small fishing ponds.

SEE ALSO: Georgia 'Leaf Watch' 2018 Website Tracks Best Fall Color

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If you’re planning a trip somewhere else, the Fall Foliage Prediction Map can help you pinpoint the best dates for a visit.

And The Foliage Network posts regular updates on when leaves start to drop and the colors start to turn.

You probably remember from science class that the color change all starts with photosynthesis. Leaves constantly churn out chlorophyll — a key component in a plant’s ability to turn sunlight into the glucose it needs to stay healthy — from spring through early fall. Those cells saturate the leaves, making them appear green to the human eye.

But leaves aren’t green at all. Autumn is the time for leaves’ big reveal: their true color, unveiled as chlorophyll production grinds to a halt. The colors in fall’s breathtaking tapestry are influenced by other compounds, according to the national park’s website.

For example, beta-carotenes reflect the yellow and red light from the sun and give leaves an orange hue. The production of anthocyanin, which gives leaves their vivid red color, ramps up in the fall, protecting and prolonging the leaf’s life on a tree throughout autumn.

And those yellows that make you feel as if you’re walking in a ray of sunshine?

They’re produced by flavonol, which is part of the flavonoid protein family. It’s always present in leaves, but doesn’t show itself until chlorophyll production begins to slow.

Photo by Patch Editor Beth Dalbey