National Forest·Arkansas, Oklahoma·1,784,141 acres
Ouachita 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.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at Ouachita National Forest in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Ouachita National Forest around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
The forest runs from about 410 to 1,545 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 4 days: the high stands around Nov 6, the low ground around Nov 10. That's 6 days later than our model alone would say, because this September has been running warm.
| Week | In the forest | Elevation at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Starting to turn | |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Nearly peak | |
| Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Peak color | 750 to 1,000 ft, 1,000 to 1,250 ft, 1,250 to 1,500 ft, 1,500 to 1,750 ft |
| Nov 9 to Nov 15 this week | Peak color | 250 to 500 ft, 500 to 750 ft |
| Nov 16 to Nov 22 | Just past peak |
- 1,500–1,750 ftJust past peakpeak Nov 66%
- 1,250–1,500 ftJust past peakpeak Nov 78%
- 1,000–1,250 ftJust past peakpeak Nov 718%
- 750–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 830%
- 500–750 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 927%
- 250–500 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 1010%
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 6 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 up high, nearly peak lower down.
Up at 1,250 feet the stands peak around Nov 7; down at 500 feet they hold on until about Nov 10. Pick your elevation for the day you come.
- 1,250–1,500 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 7
- 1,000–1,250 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 7
- 750–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 8
- 500–750 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 9
- 250–500 ftNearly peakpeak Nov 10
- Where to drive
- Talimena National Scenic Byway, about 42 miles · Pig Trail Scenic Byway (Route 23), about 71 miles · Route 7 Scenic Byway, about 93 miles
- What turns
- white oak, black oak, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, blackgum
What turns, and when
- white oak43%
- black oak28%
- shagbark hickory13%
- sugar maple13%
- blackgum2%
Also named across Arkansas, outside what the canopy read measures here: Red Maple, Sweetgum.
The Ozark Mountains produce a warm-toned fall of gold oaks, bronze hickories, crimson blackgums, and the occasional sweetgum burning purple and red along the creek bottoms.
Questions people ask about Ouachita National Forest
- When is peak fall foliage at Ouachita National Forest?
Our forecast puts peak color at Ouachita National Forest around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
- Where is the best fall color at Ouachita National Forest right now?
On Nov 10 the forest is peak color. By elevation, the color is at peak at 250 to 500 feet, 500 to 750 feet and 750 to 1,000 feet.
- How long does peak last at Ouachita 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. Across the forest's elevations the color moves over about 4 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 8 days.
- Is Ouachita 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 Ouachita National Forest?
Red Maple, White Oak, Hickory, Sweetgum, Blackgum. The Ozark Mountains produce a warm-toned fall of gold oaks, bronze hickories, crimson blackgums, and the occasional sweetgum burning purple and red along the creek bottoms.
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
Winding Stair Mountain and Ozark-St. Francis are on the map above, with their own date.
- Peak Nov 6 best Nov 5 to 8
- Peak Nov 6 best Nov 5 to 8
- Peak Nov 9 best Nov 8 to 11
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
Fall color roads near Ouachita National Forest
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the forest, so allow more by road.
- Talimena National Scenic Byway
Runs the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains from Talihina, OK to Mena, AR. Ridgetop views of color-covered mountains in every direction. Peaks late October to early November.
- Pig Trail Scenic Byway (Route 23)
Twists through the Ozark National Forest between Ozark and Brashears. Tight switchbacks through dense hardwood canopy. Best in late October.
- Route 7 Scenic Byway
Often called the most scenic drive in Arkansas. The section between Jasper and Harrison through the Buffalo River valley is the highlight.