| Tips For Planning A Trip
To See Ozarks Fall Foliage When To Visit - Following The Color Change
Foliage color in our reporting area lasts about three weeks. The
peak lasts about 4 to 5 days and occurs in the last week of October and the first few days
of November. Area foliage turns in several stages. Color first appears along rivers and
low valleys, then works it way up the hillsides. When flying over the color turn we see
bare trees along the rivers which have dropped their leaves, and a few hundred feet above
them is peak color.The best color during peak is almost always found at the highest
elevations.
You don't have to hit the peak to enjoy area foliage. Follow our
report and we'll share where the color is as the turn progresses. Color first appears in
early October on dogwoods and sumac, which both turn red. However they are the only trees
which turn in early October. Then, as cold fronts move in, the turn begins on almost all
trees. How fast the color turns, and how much color develops, is dependent on cool sunny
days, and cooler nights. Summer rainfall helps, but in the end the best color develops in
cool, but not cold weather.
Always keep in mind that the color turn, and the peak, occurs at
different times in different spots only 30 or 40 miles north and south of each other. The
further north you go, the sooner the peak occurs. Thus if you watch what we say in our
reports about the northern part of our reporting area, you'll know what will happen in the
southern part in a few days. To see foliage in different stages just pick a destination,
then drive north and south of it by 30 to 40 miles.
What People Do
Just getting away from the office and out into Mother Nature is the main draw. Some prefer
to fish on lakes and rivers as they enjoy the foliage. Others prefer to rent a cabin in
the woods and just hang out doing little or nothing. Many just drive around leaf-peeping
and stopping for meals at small local restaurants or small county stores. They shop in
small antique shops. They prefer a self-guided independent "no schedule"
experience to a scheduled tour bus experience. Others come for birding and watchable
wildlife photography. There are no crowds, traffic is light, and there are hundreds of
square miles to explore.
Fall Festivals
In our reporting area there are very few scheduled fall events. The most famous is the Bean Fest held every year
on the last Saturday in October in Mountain View, Arkansas. This fun event attracts
upwards of 30,000 people. Mountain View is also a great place to shop for honest-to-God
local art. Paintings, wrought iron, jewelry, pottery, soaps, candles, wood works, and a
long list of other items created by members of the local art guild.
There are many small events held at local churches, schools, and
firehouses. Most of these are fundraiser suppers for various local causes. Many of these
are open to the public and make a great way to say hello to the locals. When driving
around keep an eye out for signs announcing these events. Local store and restaurant
bulletin boards may also have announcements.
Getting Out Into Fall Foliage Color
By Water
You can leaf-peep by either land or boat. Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake both have
marinas and small resort who rent boats. On the North Fork River, and on the White River,
you can rent river boats at resorts and trout docks. You can rent a boat with, or without
a guide.
By Main Highway
State Highway 62/412 is the main highway running east and west through the Arkansas Ozark
Mountains. If want to just stay in your vehicle and drive at highway speeds, this is a
good highway to run. Several towns along highway 62/412 have restaurants, gas stations,
etc. The major north/south highway is State Highway 5 which runs through both the Arkansas
and Missouri Ozark Mountains. We recommend driving major highways only if you have a
limited amount of time. You'll enjoy Ozarks foliage so much more if you take the secondary
and back roads.
By Secondary Highway
Secondary highways are paved roads running out into rural areas. They connect small towns
and the farms in between. Traffic is much lighter on these roads, speed limits are lower,
and there are more safe spots to pull off the road. Secondary roads also put you closer to
the hills where color is best. Stopping in at the small country stores and restaurants is
a true Norman Rockwell experience, which you won't find along the major highways.
Back Roads
Most county roads that really put you up close and in touch with fall foliage have dirt
surfaces. There are hundreds of miles of these county roads running all through the
Ozarks. Pack a picnic lunch, make sure you have a good county map or two, and pick a
series of roads which roughly form a circle so that you end up back where you started.
While this is the best way to see area foliage, it is also a great way to get lost.
Moreover, cellphone signal is spotty in these areas. Fortunately the locals are friendly
and will be glad to help out if you get lost.
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