As summer comes to its end, you may find yourself anticipating the impending joys of autumn. Soon, fall foliage will be everywhere you turn in Illinois. Leaves will go yellow, orange, and red, and eventually, you’ll find them crunching under your feet. Thanks to researchers over at Smoky Mountains, we can loosely predict when will be the best time to take a picturesque fall hike. Curious about this year’s fall foliage prediction map for Illinois? Let’s see what we can expect!
Each year, the Fall Foliage Prediction Map from our friends at Smoky Mountains offers predictions for when and where to view the best foliage throughout the United States.
Jonathan Kriz/Flickr This year, fall foliage will be hitting Illinois a little later than usual. According to the map, Illinoisans can expect to experience changing leaves in the last two weeks of October.
Peak change for the northern third of the state is forecast to hit during the week of October 24; for those in the southern two-thirds of the state, peak fall foliage in Illinois is a week later, October 31. This is the best time to get outdoors and see for yourself.
Nate Burgos/Flickr
Of course, no prediction is exact, but this should give you an idea of when to start expecting those leaves to change. Start planning your autumn excursions today.
Heather Paul/Flickr
Illinois is a beautiful place to be in the fall. Our numerous parks and state forests brim with beauty and vibrant views this time of year.
Pexels/Gratisography
Next to visiting pumpkin patches and drinking apple cider, viewing the fall foliage in Illinois is a must for autumn. Don’t miss the best views.
Pexels/Pixabay
Now that you’ve reviewed the fall foliage prediction map for Illinois and know when the leaves will turn, what are your plans for the autumn? Hiking? Road trips? Bird watching? Share your favorite fall destinations in Illinois with us in the comments below!
Jonathan Kriz/Flickr
This year, fall foliage will be hitting Illinois a little later than usual. According to the map, Illinoisans can expect to experience changing leaves in the last two weeks of October.
Nate Burgos/Flickr
Heather Paul/Flickr
Pexels/Gratisography
Pexels/Pixabay
Are you ready for the leaves to change? Share your fall foliage photos with us — we’re a bunch of die-hard leaf peepers over here!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall foliage prediction map for Illinois September 14, 2022 Sarah M. What’s the best place to go to see fall foliage in Illinois? After you’ve viewed the fall foliage prediction map, it’s time to start making some plans for this splendid season in Illinois! While Northern Illinois is certainly lovely this time of year, one of our all-time favorite fall day trips in Illinois is Pere Marquette State Park. This glorious state park spans 8,050 acres in Southern Illinois at the convergence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. This is a naturally stunning region of the Midwest all year long, but especially during the fall. If you love amazing autumn foliage and bustling wildlife, there’s no better place than Pere Marquette State Park. In the fall, bald eagles soar across bright blue skies, above bold, rolling hills painted red, orange, and gold. The best way to experience this splendor is the old-fashioned way: on foot, along one of the park’s 12 miles of marked trails. What are some cozy fall getaways in Illinois? If there’s anything better than a cozy getaway surrounded by fall foliage in Illinois, we sure don’t know what it is. One of our favorite spots for a fall getaway in Illinois is Timber Ridge Outpost. In business since 2012, Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins in southern Illinois is a premier place for cabin rentals of all sorts that is popular with nature lovers. Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest (one of the best places for leaf peeping in Illinois!) this tranquil nook of the Land of Lincoln is awash with fall foliage that is a true sight to see. Here you’ll find the Timber Ridge treehouses, which are built into White Oak trees that have been standing for more than 200 years! Cozy and well-appointed, this is a dream destination for fall lovers in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fall foliage prediction map for Illinois
September 14, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s the best place to go to see fall foliage in Illinois? After you’ve viewed the fall foliage prediction map, it’s time to start making some plans for this splendid season in Illinois! While Northern Illinois is certainly lovely this time of year, one of our all-time favorite fall day trips in Illinois is Pere Marquette State Park. This glorious state park spans 8,050 acres in Southern Illinois at the convergence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. This is a naturally stunning region of the Midwest all year long, but especially during the fall. If you love amazing autumn foliage and bustling wildlife, there’s no better place than Pere Marquette State Park. In the fall, bald eagles soar across bright blue skies, above bold, rolling hills painted red, orange, and gold. The best way to experience this splendor is the old-fashioned way: on foot, along one of the park’s 12 miles of marked trails. What are some cozy fall getaways in Illinois? If there’s anything better than a cozy getaway surrounded by fall foliage in Illinois, we sure don’t know what it is. One of our favorite spots for a fall getaway in Illinois is Timber Ridge Outpost. In business since 2012, Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins in southern Illinois is a premier place for cabin rentals of all sorts that is popular with nature lovers. Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest (one of the best places for leaf peeping in Illinois!) this tranquil nook of the Land of Lincoln is awash with fall foliage that is a true sight to see. Here you’ll find the Timber Ridge treehouses, which are built into White Oak trees that have been standing for more than 200 years! Cozy and well-appointed, this is a dream destination for fall lovers in Illinois.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
After you’ve viewed the fall foliage prediction map, it’s time to start making some plans for this splendid season in Illinois! While Northern Illinois is certainly lovely this time of year, one of our all-time favorite fall day trips in Illinois is Pere Marquette State Park. This glorious state park spans 8,050 acres in Southern Illinois at the convergence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. This is a naturally stunning region of the Midwest all year long, but especially during the fall. If you love amazing autumn foliage and bustling wildlife, there’s no better place than Pere Marquette State Park. In the fall, bald eagles soar across bright blue skies, above bold, rolling hills painted red, orange, and gold. The best way to experience this splendor is the old-fashioned way: on foot, along one of the park’s 12 miles of marked trails.
What are some cozy fall getaways in Illinois?
If there’s anything better than a cozy getaway surrounded by fall foliage in Illinois, we sure don’t know what it is. One of our favorite spots for a fall getaway in Illinois is Timber Ridge Outpost. In business since 2012, Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins in southern Illinois is a premier place for cabin rentals of all sorts that is popular with nature lovers. Nestled in the Shawnee National Forest (one of the best places for leaf peeping in Illinois!) this tranquil nook of the Land of Lincoln is awash with fall foliage that is a true sight to see. Here you’ll find the Timber Ridge treehouses, which are built into White Oak trees that have been standing for more than 200 years! Cozy and well-appointed, this is a dream destination for fall lovers in Illinois.
