Brilliant but brief, Arizona’s prime leaf-peeping season spans just a few weeks each fall. Here’s a quick guide to catching a glimpse of some of the state’s most dazzling deciduous specimens.
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
These tall, slender trees grow in clusters connected by a complex root system. Their leaves are characterized by flattened stems that appear to “quake” in the wind, and pale-green, heart-shaped blades that transition into a bright golden yellow in the fall.
- Where to peep: Aspen Nature Loop Trail and Lockett Meadow in Flagstaff
- When to peep: Late September through mid-October
Fremont’s Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
Native to the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico, this moisture-loving member of the cottonwood family flourishes in Arizona’s riparian areas. Each autumn, its broad, triangular leaves turn a striking amber.
- Where to peep: Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood; Red Rock State Park in Sedona
- When to peep: Late October through mid-November
Rocky Mountain Maple
Acer glabrum
Look for these large shrubs along high-desert mountain slopes and riverbanks, where their emerald palmate leaves burst into a fiery red-orange each fall.
- Where to peep: West Fork Oak Creek Trail in Sedona; Pinal Mountain Trail in Globe
- When to peep: Late September through late October
Scarlet Sumac
Rhus glabra
This sun-seeking species propagates in dense thickets along woodland edges and clearings. Its name originates from the brilliant harvest-time hue of its long, feather-like leaves.
- Where to peep: Sky Island Scenic Byway and Saguaro National Park in Tucson
- When to peep: Late September through mid-November
