The Best Arizona Road Trips to See Fall Colors | Fall 2026
Arizona may be known for saguaros and desert sunsets, but fall brings an entirely different side of the state.
From golden aspens covering the mountains around Flagstaff to red and orange maples tucked into Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona has some surprisingly beautiful places to see fall colors—and many are just a few hours from Scottsdale and Phoenix.
The key is knowing where to go and when to go. Fall color starts first at Arizona’s highest elevations, typically in late September, then gradually works its way down through October and into November.
Whether you want an easy day trip, a scenic drive or an excuse for a fall weekend away, here are some of my favorite Arizona road trips for chasing fall colors in 2026.
And before you head north, check the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer below. It’s one of the easiest ways to see where the colors are changing right now.
Planning a trip to Flagstaff or Oak Creek Canyon? Start here.
The Flagstaff LEAF-ometer tracks changing fall colors throughout the season, from the San Francisco Peaks down through Oak Creek Canyon, and recommends places to go based on current conditions.
Because peak color can shift with elevation, temperatures, rainfall and wind, checking the LEAF-ometer before you leave can make the difference between seeing a few yellow leaves and catching the mountains covered in gold.
Check the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer
🍁 Best Time for Color: Late September–Mid-October
📍 Flagstaff | About 2–2½ Hours from Phoenix
If you're chasing classic Arizona fall color, Flagstaff is the place to start.
The San Francisco Peaks are covered with groves of aspens that turn brilliant shades of gold as temperatures cool. One of the easiest—and most beautiful—ways to experience them is the drive up Snowbowl Road.
For 2026, Arizona Snowbowl returns to daily fall operations beginning September 25, with Scenic Gondola rides taking you above the trees for panoramic views from up to 11,500 feet.
And there’s something new this year: from October 3–18, Snowbowl is also offering open-air Scenic Chairlift rides on the Grand Canyon Express alongside the gondola.
Make a day of it with lunch on the mountain, a walk around Aspen Corner and time in Downtown Flagstaff.
One important 2026 note: Lockett Meadow and Inner Basin access via Forest Road 552 is currently closed for road construction, including vehicle, foot and bicycle traffic. Stick with Snowbowl Road and the other open viewing areas recommended by the LEAF-ometer.
Arizona Snowbowl Fall Scenic Rides
🍁 Best Time for Color: Mid-October–Early November
📍 Sedona + Highway 89A | About 2 Hours from Phoenix
Red rocks and fall leaves are a pretty spectacular combination.
The drive along Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff is one of Arizona’s prettiest fall road trips. As the season progresses, the canyon fills with shades of yellow, orange and red from its oaks, maples, sycamores and cottonwoods.
Start in Sedona and head north through the canyon, or make it part of a loop with Flagstaff.
Stop at Oak Creek Vista near the top of the switchbacks for a sweeping view back into the canyon.
Because Oak Creek Canyon sits at a lower elevation than the San Francisco Peaks, its colors generally arrive later—making this a great option after Flagstaff’s highest-elevation aspens have peaked.
Explore Oak Creek Canyon Fall Colors
🍁 Best Time for Color: Early–Mid-October
📍 Payson + Mogollon Rim | About 1½–2 Hours from Phoenix
For an easy escape from Phoenix, head northeast toward Payson and the Mogollon Rim.
The drive climbs thousands of feet from the desert into pine-covered high country, with aspens, maples and oaks adding pockets of fall color throughout the forest.
From Payson, continue east on Highway 260 toward the Rim. Woods Canyon Lake is an easy place to stop for a picnic or walk, while Forest Road 300—also known as Rim Road—offers dramatic overlooks from the edge of the Mogollon Rim.
The scenery here feels completely removed from Phoenix, despite being close enough for a day trip.
Forest roads can be rough and conditions change with weather, so check current road conditions before venturing onto unpaved routes.
🍁 Best Time for Color: Late September–Mid-October
📍 White Mountains | About 3½–4½ Hours from Phoenix
If you're willing to drive a little farther, Arizona’s White Mountains can feel like an entirely different state in fall.
Highway 260 takes you through forests, mountain meadows and communities including Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside, with golden aspens scattered among the ponderosa pines.
Continue toward Greer for even more mountain scenery, cabins and cooler temperatures.
This is one I’d consider turning into an overnight trip rather than trying to squeeze everything into one day. Stay in Pinetop-Lakeside or Greer, enjoy the drive and give yourself time to explore some of the lakes and trails along the way.
Explore Fall Colors in Arizona
🍁 Best Time for Color: Mid-October–Early November
📍 Prescott to Jerome | About 2 Hours from Phoenix
This one combines fall scenery with two of Arizona’s most interesting historic towns.
Start in Prescott, where cottonwoods, oaks and other deciduous trees bring pockets of fall color to the surrounding forest.
From there, take Highway 89A toward Jerome. The road winds over Mingus Mountain, climbing through forest before descending toward the Verde Valley.
You can stop in Jerome for lunch, wander through the historic hillside town and then continue into Cottonwood or the Verde Valley.
It’s a great choice if you want your fall-color road trip to include restaurants, shopping and a little Arizona history along with the scenery.
🍁 Best Time for Color: Mid-October–Early November
📍 Mount Lemmon | About 2½ Hours from Phoenix
Heading south for fall colors may sound counterintuitive, but Mount Lemmon is one of Arizona’s great elevation-change drives.
The Catalina Highway climbs from the Sonoran Desert outside Tucson into the Santa Catalina Mountains, eventually reaching the pine forests and mountain community of Summerhaven.
Along the way, the landscape changes dramatically—from saguaros to oak woodland and eventually high-elevation forest.
In fall, pockets of changing leaves appear throughout the upper elevations, and the cooler mountain temperatures make this an easy excuse for lunch or a slice of pie in Summerhaven.
Allow time for the scenic overlooks along the way. The drive itself is a big part of the experience.
🍁 Best Time for Color: Mid-November–Early December
📍 37615 E. Arboretum Way, Superior | About 1 Hour from Phoenix
Missed peak color in Northern Arizona? You may not be too late.
Because Boyce Thompson Arboretum sits at a much lower elevation, its fall color typically arrives weeks after Flagstaff and the high country.
That makes it one of my favorite late-season options from Phoenix.
The arboretum’s trails wind through a mix of desert and riparian landscapes where Chinese pistache, sumac, walnut and other deciduous trees can turn shades of red, orange and yellow against the surrounding desert and mountain scenery.
It’s also the shortest road trip on this list, making it an easy option when you want fall scenery without spending half the day in the car.
🍁 Check conditions before you leave. Peak color isn't an exact date. Elevation, weather, rainfall and wind can change the timing from year to year.
🚗 Expect busy weekends. Flagstaff, Snowbowl Road and Oak Creek Canyon can become extremely busy during peak fall-color weekends. Go early or consider a weekday if you can.
📸 Start high and follow the color down. Arizona’s highest elevations generally change first. As the season progresses, look toward Oak Creek Canyon, Prescott and eventually lower-elevation destinations such as Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
🥾 Check trail and road closures. Forest roads and recreation areas can close because of construction, fire restrictions, storms or seasonal conditions.
🍂 Use the LEAF-ometer. If Flagstaff or Oak Creek Canyon is your destination, check the live foliage report before getting in the car.
Check Current Flagstaff Fall Colors
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With over 25 years of experience in real estate, master planned community development, sales, marketing, and VIP customer care, Anne is known for her exceptional service and integrity. Her Arizona family roots trace back to the territorial days, providing her with a unique perspective on the local real estate market. With a "can-do" attitude and unwavering commitment to excellence, Anne goes above and beyond to protect her clients' interests and provide them with an outstanding experience.