Where to See Fall Color in Georgia

11 Georgia places for fall color, with timing statements quoted from the agency that published them and the date of each. Georgia Forestry Commission Leaf Watch report published October 21, 2026, North Central Georgia: 45% leaf change above 3,000 ft and 21% below 3,000 ft. ‘Peak fall foliage viewing conditions are anticipated in the next two weeks.’

The report says the last week of October through Halloween weekend should be spectacular and early November should be good for lower elevations and foothills.

Peak timing changes week to week; the dated Forestry Commission report is the one to check before you drive. Every fact below was read on the cited official page and checked October 27, 2026; anything not confirmed is listed under What We Could Not Confirm instead of guessed.

What to know	Source
Georgia Forestry Commission Leaf Watch report published October 21, 2026, North Central Georgia: 45% leaf change above 3,000 ft and 21% below 3,000 ft. ‘Peak fall foliage viewing conditions are anticipated in the next two weeks.’ The report says the last week of October through Halloween weekend should be spectacular and early November should be good for lower elevations and foothills.	gatrees.org
Same report (October 21, 2026), Northeast Georgia: 41% above 3,000 ft and 13% below 3,000 ft; peak is given as last week of October to first week of November. Northwest Georgia: 17% above 3,000 ft and 15% below 3,000 ft; peak is given as around the first two weeks of November, later than last year.	gatrees.org
Georgia State Parks Leaf Watch 2026 page (undated; labeled 2026): ‘Black Rock Mountain is usually one of the first parks to show vibrant color.’ and for F.D. Roosevelt State Park ‘This park often peaks during early November.’ The page gives no peak dates for other parks.	gastateparks.org
Georgia State Parks Leaf Watch page: weekday visits are encouraged, and ‘When parking fills to capacity, access may be limited.’	gastateparks.org
Georgia State Parks ParkPass page: $10 Daily ParkPass and $70 Annual ParkPass (no publication date on the page).	gastateparks.org

The Places

Name	Town	What it is	Details
Black Rock Mountain State Park (Official site)	Mountain City	Georgia’s highest state park at 3,640 feet, with 11 miles of hiking trails.	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page) Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Season: Leaf Watch page (2026, undated): ‘usually one of the first parks to show vibrant color.’ No 2026 peak dates published on the park page. Access: Leaf Watch page lists the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail and 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail. Park page: ‘may close during icy weather’; RV drivers should be comfortable on steep, winding roads. Parking: Fee required; parking is not included with a reservation
Vogel State Park (Official site)	Blairsville	Park at 2,500 feet above sea level; page says it is popular in fall when the Blue Ridge Mountains turn red, yellow and gold.	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page) Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Access: 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, a lake loop to Trahlyta Falls, 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail. Park page says the Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and the waterfall are currently closed. Leaf Watch page: visitor center under construction, so parking may be limited. Parking: Fee required
Cloudland Canyon State Park (Official site)	Rising Fawn	Canyon park with 64 miles of hiking trails; Leaf Watch page lists a 5-mile West Rim Loop and two waterfalls at the canyon bottom.	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page) Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Interpretive Center Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weekdays seasonally as staffing allows Access: Page lists an All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair; no further accessibility detail on the page. Parking: Fee required
Providence Canyon State Park (Official site)	Lumpkin	Canyon park with sandy nature trails, a rim trail and a backcountry trail; Leaf Watch page calls it a ‘hidden gem’ for fall color (the state’s wording).	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page) Hours: Sept 15-April 14: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; April 15-Sept 14: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; visitor center 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Access: Trail miles not stated on the page; trail map PDF linked. Dogs: Dogs are welcome on trails and must remain on 6-foot leash Parking: Fee required
Tallulah Gorge State Park (Official site)	Tallulah Falls	Gorge park with rim trails and overlooks and a suspension bridge (Leaf Watch page); 20 miles of trails.	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page). Gorge floor permits are free, from the Interpretive Center on the day, limited to 100 per day. Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Access: Gorge floor permits not recommended for hikers aged 8 or younger; no flip-flops or Crocs. Accessibility details not on the page. Dogs: Leashed pets are welcome on rim trails; dogs prohibited on the gorge floor, sliding rock trail and Hurricane Falls staircase Parking: Fee required Kids: Gorge floor permit: not recommended for hikers aged 8 or younger
Fort Mountain State Park (Official site)	Chatsworth	Mountain park at 2,850 feet with a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and 25+ miles of hiking trails.	Cost: Parking: fee required (ParkPass: $10 daily, $70 annual per the ParkPass page) Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Access: Accessibility details not on the page. Parking: Fee required
Brasstown Bald	Hiawassee area (town not stated on page)	Georgia’s tallest mountain at 4,784 feet, with a visitor center and 360-degree summit view.	Cost: $10 per adult (16+) regular hours; $6 per adult after hours; free for children 15 and younger; shuttle included in the $10 fee Hours: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM; shuttle last departure 4:30 PM, last return 5:00 PM; no shuttle 12:30-1:10 PM Season: Open 7 days a week; no seasonal closure listed. Closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Page last updated August 5, 2026. Access: Summit Trail is 0.6 miles and paved; ‘It is very steep.’ Shuttle described as an alternative to the steep walk. Dogs: Dogs must be leashed and are not permitted in the Visitor Center Parking: Lot at the base of the summit trail; no fee or capacity detail on the page Kids: Free for children 15 and younger
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area (Official site)	Helen	Forest Service recreation area at 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd.; the Lion’s Eye Trail is a 0.01-mile paved trail.	Cost: $6 per person ages 16 and up; 15 and under free Hours: 9:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days a week; last admission 4:00 p.m. Season: Open year-round; page last updated April 17, 2026. Closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Access: Wheelchair accessible from parking lot to visitor center; Lion’s Eye Trail has interpretive signs in standard text and braille Kids: 15 and under free
Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway		A 40-mile loop on State Highways 348, 180 and 17/75 around the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River; the Forest Service page calls it ideal for viewing fall color.	Access: Page says allow at least three hours driving time.
Amicalola Falls State Park	Dawsonville	Listed in the state’s top 10 parks for fall color; Leaf Watch page cites the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall and a new visitor center.	Not published on the cited page
Unicoi State Park	Helen	Listed in the state’s top 10 parks for fall color; Leaf Watch page cites ziplines and a 4.8-mile Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls.	Not published on the cited page

Peak Window Statements as Published

• October 21, 2026 Georgia Forestry Commission report, North Central Georgia: ‘Peak fall foliage viewing conditions are anticipated in the next two weeks.’ (gatrees.org)
• October 21, 2026 report, Northeast Georgia: peak is last week of October to first week of November. (gatrees.org)
• October 21, 2026 report, Northwest Georgia: peak around the first two weeks of November, later than last year; recent cooler weather should speed up color change. (gatrees.org)
• Georgia State Parks Leaf Watch 2026 page (undated): F.D. Roosevelt State Park ‘often peaks during early November.’ (gastateparks.org)

Elevation Notes

• October 21, 2026 report, North Central Georgia: above 3,000 ft, yellow birch, sourwood, red maple, sassafras, hickories and some oaks show the most color; in lower terrain, dogwood, sourwood, sumac, blackgum and yellow-poplar stand out. (gatrees.org)
• October 21, 2026 report, Northeast Georgia: above 3,000 ft canopy change is good and understory/roadside color is excellent; below 3,000 ft canopy change is fair and understory/roadside color is good. Color change moves east to west. (gatrees.org)
• Elevations as published: Brasstown Bald 4,784 feet; Black Rock Mountain 3,640 feet; Fort Mountain 2,850 feet; Vogel 2,500 feet. (fs.usda.gov)

Weekday and Parking Guidance

• Georgia State Parks encourages weekday visits; when parking fills to capacity, access may be limited. Cottages, yurts and campsites often book a year ahead. (gastateparks.org)

Map of Georgia Fall Color Places

Not pinned (no confirmed location yet): Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area (Official site), Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway.

Keep Planning

• Georgia fall foliage timing data
• Fall in Georgia
• Georgia waterfalls
• Which mountain town

FAQ

When is peak fall color in north Georgia in 2026?

The Georgia Forestry Commission report published October 21, 2026 says peak viewing conditions are anticipated in the next two weeks for North Central Georgia, last week of October to first week of November for Northeast Georgia, and around the first two weeks of November for Northwest Georgia. (gatrees.org)

How much does it cost to park at a Georgia state park?

The ParkPass page lists a $10 Daily ParkPass and a $70 Annual ParkPass. (gastateparks.org)

What does it cost to go up Brasstown Bald?

The Forest Service page lists $10 per adult (ages 16+) during regular hours, $6 after hours, and free for children 15 and younger; the shuttle is included in the $10 fee. (fs.usda.gov)

What does Anna Ruby Falls cost?

$6 per person ages 16 and up; visitors 15 and under enter free. (fs.usda.gov)

What We Could Not Confirm

• Amicalola Falls and Unicoi park pages at gastateparks.org (tried /AmicalolaFalls, /Amicalola, /AmicalolaFallsStatePark, /Unicoi, /UnicoiStatePark): hours, fees, dogs and access for those two are not confirmed, so check gastateparks.org; only the Leaf Watch page lines are used.
• Smithgall Woods, Moccasin Creek, Hard Labor Creek, Red Top Mountain details not confirmed; omitted as items.
• Dahlonega and Helen town/CVB fall pages: no official statement collected.
• exploregeorgia.org fall foliage page: no explore Georgia statement collected.
• gastateparks.org Leaf Watch page carries no publication date other than ‘2026’; peak statements from it are marked undated. Only the gatrees.org report has a dated peak statement (October 21, 2026).
• Brasstown Bald page does not state the town or county and does not mention fall color; Anna Ruby Falls page does not state dogs or parking.
• Latitude/longitude not collected from official pages; left null.
• Georgia State Parks ParkPass price is general; park pages say ‘Fee required’ without the dollar amount.
• Towns shown for state park entries are the nearest town and were not all read from the cited page.

How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on October 30, 2026. Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.

Sources

• Georgia Forestry Commission Leaf Watch Report for October 21, 2026
• Georgia State Parks Leaf Watch
• Georgia State Parks ParkPass
• Black Rock Mountain State Park
• Vogel State Park
• Cloudland Canyon State Park
• Providence Canyon State Park
• Tallulah Gorge State Park
• Fort Mountain State Park
• Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center (USFS)
• Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area (USFS)
• Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway (USFS)