San Juan National Forest Fall Color Report 2024

2023 Winner of San Juan National Forest Fall Colors Photo Contest / Landscape; Photo by Tucker Bowman

Estimated Peak Viewing Period

Peak foliage dates are generally pretty consistent, rarely wobbling by more than a few days. Over the past several years, the colors in the San Juan Mountains tend to start mid-September near Silverton and finish up early to mid-October around Pagosa Springs, Purgatory and Dolores. 

"Generally, fall colors begin with golden yellow quaking aspen at the highest elevations and narrow leaf cottonwoods in low-lying cold areas as early as late August. But aspens, which put on fall’s brightest show and account for 20% of Colorado’s forests, usually peak near the end of September to early October, which is typically a few weeks later than trees in most of the rest of the state." - SJNF Forester, Matt Tuten

The Fall Foliage Prediction Map is a great tool for estimating when fall colors will peak nation-wide. 

Estimate of Current Fall Foliage 

Updated: October 18, 2024

San Juan Skyway

• Durango to Purgatory: Post Peak
• Purgatory to Coal Bank: Post Peak
• Coal Bank to Molas Pass: Post Peak
• Molas Pass to Silverton: Post Peak
• Silverton area: Post Peak
• Silverton to Red Mtn Pass: Post Peak
• Red Mtn Pass to Ouray: Post Peak
• Ouray to Telluride (Dallas Divide): Post Peak
• Lizard Head Pass to Telluride: Post Peak
• Rico to Lizard Head Pass: Post Peak
• Dolores to Rico: Slightly Post Peak to Post Peak
• Mancos Area: Post Peak

Areas with Greatest Amount of Color / Recommended Viewing Areas

This weekend (Oct 18-20) brings a major storm to the area. Any golden leaves still clinging to their branches will most likely be blown off and or frozen, therefore most of the remaining colors will fade away this weekend.

For More Information on Fall Colors Please Contact

• San Juan National Forest Headquarters, Durango (970) 247-4874
• Colorado fall colors forecast 2024: When and where to see peak colors, Fox31
• Aspen Fall Colors, Colorado State Forest Service
• Colorado Department of Transportation webcams
• Why Do Leaves Change Color?, US Forest Service
• Science of Fall Colors, US Forest Service

 

2023 Winner of San Juan National Forest Fall Colors Photo Contest /Macro; Photo by Mark Roper