Finding the Most Scenic Fall Foliage in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of the best fall destinations to take your family and enjoy the scenery and fall foliage. There are fall festivals and events that go on throughout the season. No matter where you live in Oklahoma, fall is an exciting time to get outdoors and hike through our many trails. You can visit our state parks to go camping, hiking, or even go canoeing. Whether you’re looking for something close to home or a few hours out, we’ve got an array of awesome places to take your family this fall to indulge in the alluring colors of autumn.

The Best Time To Experience Fall Colors in Tulsa

The fall foliage season is generally considered beginning of fall through early winter. It depends on where you are, though. For instance, fall colors arrive in Oklahoma starting near the end of September and peak around the middle of October.

The fall colors continue to be at their best around late October and early November before they gradually fall out by mid-November. So, if you know when to see the fall colors, what colors might you find throughout Oklahoma trees?

What Trees Can I Expect From Fall Foliage?

There are several fall-color trees in Oklahoma. Most of them are deciduous trees but some fall colors will be seen on evergreen trees at the higher elevations. We have numerous species and colorations that give Oklahoma the most scenic places to explore!

Maple (Red)

The maple tree is known for its brilliant red fall color. When fall arrives, the leaves of the maples begin to change colors and drop off. Some types of maples include sugar maple, black maple, or red maple.

Oak (Red)

Oak trees are fall-color favorites because of the wide variety of fall colors they exhibit. Some types of oak species include scarlet oak, pin oak, and southern red oak.

Hackberry (Yellow/Orange)

This distinctive fall color is one that you will want to catch this fall. Hackberry trees have leaves that fall off in early fall, revealing the yellow/orange hues underneath.

We have so many varieties that offer that picture-perfect autumn afternoon. There are also other fall-color trees include Sweetgum, Blackgum, and Blackjack Oak. Now that you know what type of trees to anticipate, it is time to find out where to find them!

Famous Attractions You Can Visit for Fall Foilage

One of the most famous fall attractions in Oklahoma is Fall Colors of Oklahoma, which has been celebrated since 1930. The fall colors are primarily found at the easternmost section of the fall line hills along the western edge of the Cross Timbers region that stretches through central Oklahoma.

Another beautiful location is Hochatown State Park in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Hochatown State Park is located on ten acres of land and is home to a 100-year old lodge overlooking Broken Bow Lake. This park includes numerous picture-perfect fall activities for your family including hiking trails with tepee rentals, canoeing/paddling on Broken Bow Lake, fishing, wildlife watching, and more.

A fall favorite of ours is hiking at Washington Irving Trail, which offers both paved and dirt trails. You can explore through the rolling fall colors in this renowned fall foliage destination in central Oklahoma. The trail passes by Smith Falls, a 50-foot waterfall located along the picturesque Washita River that flows through the state park.

Where Else Can I Find Fall Foliage in Oklahoma?

There are many places in Oklahoma where you can check out the fall foliage! Check out our state parks, lakes, and recreational areas for a fall afternoon you will not forget.

• Chickasaw National Recreation Area: It’s the only national park that provides a variety of seasonal experiences including fall colors, fall camping, and fall-foliage festivals.
• Lake Murray State Park: It’s the only state park in Oklahoma located near fall foliage country. Fall colors are at their peak during the fall months, and fall-foliage festivals are also held here.
• Grand Lake: This fall-color destination is one of the most popular fall foliage destinations in Oklahoma. It’s home to 122 campsites with 30 RV sites that can accommodate RVs up to 55 feet long.

These locations will offer stunning views for everyone to relish. But, don’t forget to take part in all the activities while the weather isn’t too hot or cold.

Outdoor Fall Activities in Oklahoma

Fall marks the time where the leaves are more vibrant and the weather is just cool enough to enjoy before winter. This makes it the perfect time to partake in all that Mother Nature has to offer. Try visiting these outdoor activities this fall in Oklahoma!

• The Blue Whale of Catoosa: This attraction was built in the 1970s and is a popular spot off Route 66 for people to stop and take photos.
• Beavers Bend State Park: You can participate in all sorts of outdoor activities such as floating down the river, camping, fishing, and so much more!
• Claremore’s Fall Festival: This fall family event held at Washington Park in October has plenty of activities for all ages, including hayrides throughout the park and apple cider tastings.
• Tulsa Country Club in Broken Arrow: Fall golf tournaments are held during September or October with different themes each week. These events include dinner followed by a shotgun start and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, and most money raised for charity.
• You can go shopping at one of Oklahoma City’s fall craft shows or something more exciting, like hunting on public lands.

If you are looking for more outdoor attractions, Oklahoma has an abundant amount of options. There are many places to visit that have gatherings tailored for fall!

Autumn Focused Destinations & Events in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s fall weather is perfect to visit some of the best fall destinations around. Take a look at a few of our picks for the most autumnal activities around Oklahoma:

• Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is a great fall family retreat. The trails are open with miles of scenic routes throughout its expansive acreage. This area offers scenic views perfect for enjoying the weather and capturing beautiful photos.
• Fall Fest at Oklahoma City Zoo features games, live animal presentations, live entertainment, and fall treats such as caramel apples. This fall family outing is held the entire weekend in October with a fall parade and costume contest as well as pumpkin decorating.
• Oklahoma also has fall fairs like the Chisholm Trail Festival hosted in Kingfisher. This is Oklahoma’s largest and longest-running festival and has been held annually for over 53 years. This fall event includes arts and crafts, a carnival, a parade, and a great show!
• Nicoma Park’s Nicoma Art Festival is an art festival that includes live entertainment, food trucks, and plenty of art for sale. Visitors can enjoy paintings, music, photography, ceramics, pottery, and even sculptures.

You can’t go wrong visiting any of these places during autumn in Oklahoma. You are destined to find spectacular landscapes complemented with the most vibrant colors the season has to offer.

Get Ready To Explore Oklahoma!

Start your fall fun with these numerous fall festivals and destinations. Enjoy all the magnificent colors and spectacular weather all across Oklahoma. Fall is the time of year to have fun with your family, so get out there! Use fall as an opportunity to discover Oklahoma’s fall foliage and fall activities. Happy Fall, y’all!