The Best Places To Spot Fall Colors In Arizona

Fall is right around the corner in Arizona. Arguably my favorite season, Autumn is when the brutal Arizona heat finally subsides, and Pumpkin Spice gets back in season.

Over all of that though, most people's favorite fall activity is going to see the vibrant reds and oranges that appear on foliage. So, when in the Grand Canyon State, where's the best place to spot the colors of fall?

Northern Arizona Fall Colors

Northern Arizona is, without a doubt, the best place in the state to see all the colors fall has to offer. Flagstaff's San Francisco Mountains are the premiere spot for Instagram Photo Ops and chairlift rides with the Arizona Snowbowl.

San Francisco Mountains, Flagstaff

State Highway 260, near Pinetop-Lakeside, is an exquisite ride through Arizona's White Mountains, offering scenic views and a car ride like none other.

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Central Arizona Fall Colors

Sure, Central Arizona may be known for the scorching hot Maricopa County, but don't be fooled, it hosts its own array of picture-perfect spots for Autumn enthusiasts. Sedona's Red Rock Crossing is a favorite of photographers and hikers worldwide.

Oak Creek, Sedona

If you want to avoid the crowds, however, Sycamore Creek near Cottonwood is a lesser-known but equally impressive canyon that features autumn leaves, historic canyons, and breathtaking sandstone walls.

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Southern Arizona Fall Colors

Down here in Southern Arizona, there's no shortage of Autumn colors. In our home city of Sierra Vista, the Huachuca Mountains offer stunning, vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, and is a must see for anyone in the Grand Canyon State.

Huachuca Mountains, Sierra Vista

Near Tucson, Mt. Lemmon is another must-visit, full of pines, maples, aspen, and walnut trees that light up the forests with their Autumn apparel.