In the Piney Woods Section of East Texas surrounding Tyler, there are ample opportunities to view fall foliage in its colorful magnificence via a number of scenic drives!
The hardwood trees of the area put on a beautiful display of yellows, oranges and reds.
Many of us are ready for fall color "peak week" ... but when is it? It is hard to predict, as various factors dictate the timing, duration and intensity of colors from year to year. Variations in peak times depend on temperatures, rainfall, wind, and days of sunlight, as well as soil conditions and elevation.
The maples, oaks, gum, elm, dogwoods, crepe myrtles, Bradford pear, and other species usually come into their peak in late October and November in Tyler.
Autumn time in Tyler and surrounding East Texas areas is alive with vibrant fall foliage, and a great time to drive the back roads, and scenic byways.
Now we are looking forward to a beautiful fall in October and November of 2024 and an opportunity to enjoy those vivid autumn foliage colors!
Included below are a series of photographs of East Texas fall foliage, and some suggested days trips from Tyler to view the colors of autumn.
Clear blue-sky days ... time for fall foliage in Tyler! |
The fall in Tyler and surrounding East Texas areas is alive with vibrant fall foliage, and a great time to drive those quiet back roads and scenic byways.
Tyler is an excellent starting point for those taking day trips from Dallas, Houston, Austin or Shreveport, and offers a large selection of hotels and B&Bs, and restaurants.
Consider these day trips from Tyler to view fall foliage:
Highway 14 - from Tyler north by Tyler State Park and on to Winnsboro, and Highway 16 from Lindale to Winona is always among our fall favorites. But virtually any farm-to-market road, county road and state highway offer excellent drives within a few minutes of Tyler. Many cities and towns like Nacogdoches and Athens have foliage tours and festivals.
Love's Lookout - beautiful 30-mile vista of fall colors to the East, located between Jacksonville and Tyler on U.S. 69 ... a great picnic location!
Nacogdoches - offers the Deep East Texas Fall Foliage Trail, looping from Nacogdoches thru Alto, Crockett, Livingston, Newton, Hemphill, San Augustine and Shelbyville. Maps of the trail are available at the Visitors' Center located at 200 E. Main Street in Nacogdoches. Travelers can view fall foliage along numerous highways in the region, including U.S. Highway 59, State Highway 7, and State Highway 21.
Jacksonville - to the south of Tyler on U.S. 69, features a beautiful drive around Lake Jacksonville.
Edom - a quaint village just west of Tyler surrounded by lovely countryside scenes and forests ... festivals, potters, artists, garden centers, restaurants, eclectic shopping.
Canton - site of the famous First Monday Trade Days each month, an easy 45-minute drive west of Tyler through rolling hills, ranches and deep forests.
Fall scene on a quiet backroad near Tyler Texas |
Gladewater - antique capitol of East Texas, located on historic US Highway 80, and close to many country roads with bright fall colors. We always enjoy the drive on Highway 1844 from Union Grove (north of Gladewater) to East Mountain to Judson. Gladewater is located north of Tyler via U.S. Highway 271.
Rusk - ride the Texas State Railroad to Palestine, and back, in fall. This historic railroad offers steam train excursions through 25 miles of scenic piney woods and hardwood creek bottoms Texas amidst a backdrop of rolling hills, nature and wildlife.
Athens - The City of Athens tourism department offers a scenic driving trail for visitors. The 55-mile self-guided driving trail begins and ends at the Athens Partnership Center, located at 201 W. Corsicana Street, in Athens.
Tyler State Park - a short drive north of the city on Highway 14, built around a lake, provides overnight camping venues, mountain biking, picnicking, hiking and more. Continuing the drive along Highway 14 from Tyler State Park to the north towards Hawkins and the Winnsboro area offers many choices for fall foliage viewing.
Daingerfield State Park - The Rustling Leaves Nature Trail, camping, fishing, hiking and more attractions make this state park a popoular destination in the fall.
Tyler Rose Garden - Tyler is the Rose Capital of America, the home of the nation's largest municipal rose garden. It features more than just 40,000 rose bushes, including a wooded area with towering trees, and numerous Japanese Maples that sport bright fall foliage.
Joinerville - learn and see first hand the place where the famous East Texas Oil Field was discovered, and enjoy the brilliant fall colors on the backroads and countryside near Henderson, just east of Tyler
Henderson - Highway 64 from Tyler to Henderson is an easy trip, through forest and rolling ranch lands. Then take Highway 43 north by Martin Lake, and through Marshall, to Uncertain, Texas, for additional fall colors. While in Uncertain, be sure to visit the shopping, attractions and attractions in nearby Jefferson.
Palestine - Among the viewing areas around Palestine is the well-known Davey Dogwood Park.
Fall foliage nearing peak color at the Hollytree Country Club in Tyler Texas (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Fall colors at FRESH by Brookshire's on Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Maple and gum trees sporting fall colors at The Crossing in Tyler (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Fall foliage along the back roads near Tyler
Scenic view of fall foliage along FM 2868 just west of Tyler near Flint (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Fall colors on Old Bullard Road, CR 122, just south of Toll 49 in Tyler Texas (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Fall scene on Saline Creek Road just west of Gresham, near Tyler (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Maple tree in the Tyler Azalea District in autumn showing its red, orange and yellow colors at peak! (TylerTexasOnline staff photo)
Even in town, fall makes an impressive presence in Tyler! Seen in this photo is an office building
and fall foliage in Tyler on Loop 323 |
Native Beauty Berry in the fall in East Texas |
Red berries on Dogwoods in the Brickstreet District |