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Kentucky fall foliage
Among the 3 Kentucky destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 28 around Lexington (980 ft) to about October 30 around Louisville (460 ft).
2026 foliage season
Kentucky fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 3 Kentucky destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
How fall color moves through Kentucky
In a typical year, the color moves through the 3 Kentucky destinations we track over about a week. Lexington is usually first, around October 28, and Louisville is usually last, around October 30. In order, the typical peaks are: Lexington around October 28, Red River Gorge around October 28, and Louisville around October 30.
Best places for Kentucky fall foliage
- Lexington: Lexington sits in the heart of the Bluegrass, surrounded by horse farms, plank and dry-stone fences, and big old trees along the roads.
- Red River Gorge: The Red River Gorge, in the Daniel Boone National Forest, is known for its sandstone cliffs and more than 100 natural arches.
- Louisville: Louisville has a system of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Scenic drives
- Near Lexington: Old Frankfort Pike, a designated scenic byway, runs west from Lexington past horse farms, stone fences, and tree-lined pastures toward Versailles and Frankfort.
- Near Red River Gorge: The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway loops through the gorge on Route 77 and Route 715.
- Near Louisville: I-65 heads south from Louisville into the Knobs, a region of steep, cone-shaped hills, to Bernheim Forest near Clermont.
Planning around elevation
Red River Gorge, at about 1,000 feet, is the highest destination we track in Kentucky, and it typically peaks about 2 days before Louisville, at about 460 feet. Within any one area, higher ground usually turns first, so if one place is still green, look higher; if it is past peak, look lower.
Visiting at different times
Late October. Lexington (best about Oct 27–Nov 4), Red River Gorge (best about Oct 27–Nov 4), and Louisville (best about Oct 29–Nov 6) are typically at their best.
Trees behind the color
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in Kentucky?
Among the 3 Kentucky destinations we currently track, typical peak runs from about October 28 around Lexington (980 ft) to about October 30 around Louisville (460 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in Kentucky?
Lexington is usually first among the Kentucky destinations we track, with peak around October 28. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in Kentucky?
Louisville usually peaks last, around October 30.
What trees give Kentucky its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include sassafras, shagbark hickory, sugar maple, tulip tree, red maple, and sourwood.
Check any city or ZIP code in Kentucky.
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