National Forest·Alabama·182,015 acres
William B. Bankhead National Forest
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
Weather Hard frost Saturday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at William B. Bankhead National Forest in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at William B. Bankhead National Forest around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
That's 5 days later than our model alone would say, because this September has been running warm.
| Week | In the forest |
|---|---|
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Nearly peak |
| Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Peak color |
| Nov 9 to Nov 15 this week | Peak color |
| Nov 16 to Nov 22 | Just past peak |
- 0–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 898%
Height off 3DEP inside the forest’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the forest stands in it.
That’s 5 days later than our model alone would say. This September has been running warm, which shifts peak color.
Plan this tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- What turns
- white oak, northern red oak, red maple, shagbark hickory, tulip poplar
What turns, and when
- white oak30%
- northern red oak24%
- red maple20%
- shagbark hickory12%
- tulip poplar4%
- blackgum4%
Also named across Alabama, outside what the canopy read measures here: Sweetgum.
Sweetgums produce a kaleidoscope of purple, red, and orange on individual trees, while hickories and oaks turn the ridges of the Appalachian foothills gold and bronze.
Questions people ask about William B. Bankhead National Forest
- When is peak fall foliage at William B. Bankhead National Forest?
Our forecast puts peak color at William B. Bankhead National Forest around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
- Where is the best fall color at William B. Bankhead National Forest right now?
On Nov 10 the forest is peak color. Nearby, Talladega National Forest, Natchez Trace Parkway and Tombigbee National Forest are at peak.
- How long does peak last at William B. Bankhead National Forest?
About four days at the top, Nov 7 to 10, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is William B. Bankhead National Forest past peak?
No. It's at peak now, on Nov 10, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
- What trees turn color at William B. Bankhead National Forest?
Sweetgum, Red Maple, Tulip Poplar, Hickory, White Oak. Sweetgums produce a kaleidoscope of purple, red, and orange on individual trees, while hickories and oaks turn the ridges of the Appalachian foothills gold and bronze.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
Natchez Trace Parkway is on the map above, with its own date.
- Peak Nov 10 best Nov 9 to 12
- Peak Nov 11 best Nov 10 to 13
- Peak Nov 10 best Nov 9 to 12
- Peak Nov 13 best Nov 12 to 15
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6