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Travel and Outdoors  Weather

Make a leaf-peeping road trip from the Tampa Bay area

Wanting to see fall foliage despite Mother Nature’s grudge against fall in Florida? Check out these nearby spots.

September 13, 2023 • 
Brianna Williams
A foliage prediction map of the United States.

According to the foliage prediction map, “near peak” won’t reach us until late November (if ever).

Screenshot via 2023 Fall Foliage Prediction Map

We may live in Florida and love the sunshine, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want a little fall foliage.

Unfortunately, however... we live in Florida, and the sunshine loves us. According to this fall foliage predication map, we can’t expect peak foliage until late November (if at all). It’s not all bad news, though — there are various destinations nearby that are perfect for a leaf-peeping road trip. Here are a few we recommend:

  • Sneads, FL | ~4.5-hour drive | Just northwest of Tallahassee, head to Three Rivers State Park in Sneads for scenic fall views.
  • Bristol, FL | ~4.5-hour drive | One of the most popular Florida destinations to see fall foliage, Torreya State Park’s location near the edge of the Appalachians makes for better color than the rest of Florida.
  • Savannah, GA | ~5-hour drive | This nearby city is known for being a magical place to visit come October.
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