Stunning Fall Foliage Unmasks Itself on Autumnal Road Trips to Neighboring Illinois
Forward by Grayling Holmes / photos provided by the Illinois Office of Tourism
Some think that summer is the best time for a road trip. After all, it’s vacation time. Autumn is also a great time for a long weekend getaway. The weather isn’t as hot. The roads aren’t clogged with traffic. And the colors…ahh, the colors. The trees shed their summer mask of green chlorophyll and show off their natural colors in cascades of oranges, yellow, and reds.
A drive as close as The Great River Road, just over the river via Alton to Grafton, is stunning. Or as far north as Chicago, and all points in between can be magical. Fall is an excellent time for a road trip. Discover the best places to find stunning fall foliage throughout Illinois. Following are but a few of the places you might explore and the best times to see the kaleidoscope awaiting you in our neighboring state of Illinois.
The Best Places to See Fall Colors
Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois colors are starting to turn! We’ve got sassafras and dogwoods turning lovely crimsons and purples. Sweetgums are turning either yellow or purple-red hues. Maples appear to be going from a slight yellow to crisp brown. Still a lot of green though, as most of the colors come later in the season.
The Great River Road, between Alton and Grafton Illinois.
Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Ilinois
Central Illinois
Here in the Land of Lincoln, black walnut continues to be gradual with its color change, with some trees showing some yellow leaves, but mostly remaining green. Most persimmons are still displaying bright and many sassafras are showing a gorgeous variety of colors. Sugar maple and hickory are now turning yellow.
Springfield, Illinois
Matthieson State Park
Bloomington/Normal, Illinois
Northern Illinois
The trees showing the most golden hues right now are black walnut, cottonwood, with elm, hackberry, and Kentucky coffee tree not far behind. The prairies are mainly yellow with goldenrod, woodland sunflower and other sunflowers, but keep an eye out for pink and purple flowers while you still can.
Chicago, Illinois
Rockford, illinois
The red maple and some white oaks having started showing a variety of colors. Virginia creeper, sumac and dogwood are the brightest red color at this point. Some sugar maples are just starting at the top of the trees. Sassafras are beginning to show a rainbow of oranges, yellows, and purples. Paw paw, hazel nut, and witch hazel are showing their turn to yellow as well.
Fall Colors Trip Planner
Click here for an interactive trip planner. It will show you the best times to discover photo-worthy fall spots for an unforgettable fall getaway. There's something truly special about witnessing the changing leaves and Illinois is one of the best states to enjoy this vibrant natural display.
Use the fall color tracker to help select the best time to see the changing colors all over Illinois this season. Simply use the slider to move through the fall months of September, October, and November. As you do, you'll see the colors change on the map below, indicating the start of fall foliage right through to the peak and end of the shifting colors.
The leaf indicators include fun fall trip ideas that will help you make the most of this spectacular fall color display.
The official Illinois Fall Colors Trip Planner, powered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.