When I moved to Phoenix in September 2025, I was afraid I would miss my favorite season: fall. I chased the changing leaves through October, November, and December; and I was able to experience three months of fall colors across Arizona. I timed my leaf-peeping by monitoring AllTrails reviews and the Flagstaff “Leaf-O-Meter,” which includes several destinations around Flastaff.
Flagstaff
Every October, visitors flock to two aspen groves in Flagstaff: Aspen Loop Trail at Arizona Snowbowl and Inner Basin Trail at Lockett Meadow. They’re both accessible via a short hike from the parking lot *except the road to Inner Basin is currently closed for construction (updated October 2026).
These two groves can get very crowded, so I prefer a long hike away from the crowds. From Arizona Snowbowl, hike Humphreys Peak Trail to the highest point in Arizona. Or, drive the dirt roads to the north side of the San Francisco Peaks to hike Abineau Canyon.
Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona
Chase fall colors amongst the red rocks from Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. A nice variety of trees grow along Oak Creek, and their fall colors usually peak around mid October to early November. When I went in early November 2025, the leaves were past peak, so I’m aiming to catch them earlier this season.
The most popular trail for leaf peeping is the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. If you can find a parking spot, the trail is long enough to disperse the crowds. You can also explore from recreation sites along the creek, like Slide Rock, Grasshopper Point, and Crescent Moon Ranch (which are popular swimming holes in the summer).
An overlook of Oak Creek would be beautiful as well. There are many scenic views along highway 89A (the road connecting Oak Creek and Sedona) like Midgely Bridge.
Mogollon Rim
Colors peak earlier at the top of the Mogollon Rim than at the bottom, so you can go leaf peeping through several weeks of fall. While ponderosa pines (which don’t have changing leaves) make up the majority of the forest in this area, there are a variety of delicious trees scattered amongst them. You can find pockets of red maples around the bottom of the rim and scattered groves of golden aspen at the top.
The Mogollon Rim is the edge of a plateau that divides nearly the entire state of Arizona in half. When locals talk about visiting the Mogollon Rim, we’re generally referring to the section of dramatic cliffs on Highway 260 between Payson (below the rim) and Heber (above the rim). See Spring Trail in Christopher Creek is a popular spot for leaf peeping below the rim. At the top, I’ve seen small groves of aspen when driving Rim Road in search of a campsite.
I visited the Mogollon Rim this past weekend (October 17 & 18), and 2026 is not looking like a great year for fall colors. The leaves are stressed from unusual weather patterns, and most are falling before they turn red. However, there was still a lot of green left on the trees, so maybe more colors will show up.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Fall colors usually peak at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in late November-early December. They post updates about the changing leaves on Instagram @btarboretum. It costs $25 per person to enter the arboretum. Don’t miss High Trail and the suspension bridge! There’s also a great gift shop.
While in the area, I also hiked Picketpost Mountain. It’s one of my favorite Phoenix hikes, but it’s only recommended for experienced hikers. Expect route-finding and scrambling.
I already have a list of places to chase leaves next year, so come back in fall 2026!
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