You won’t believe how beautiful these fall foliage spots are near Texas

Fall is here, and for many, that means trading weekend trips to the beach for visits to the pumpkin patch, swapping iced coffee orders for hot, and transitioning from tank tops and shorts to cozy turtlenecks and boots.

Where to see fall foliage in Texas, when the leaves finally turn

Weekend adventurers, hear me out—it might be time for you to take a road trip in search of the beautiful fall colors we love and adore. Fall foliage is on its way, but it's not quite here in Texas yet. Keep reading for ideas on where to head as the leaves change and so do our mindsets.

Not much color is being reported across the Lone Star State this week. The majority of the eastern half has little to no color, while the more arid locations of the Panhandle and West Texas are reporting low color. As a resident of West Texas, I can tell you that I haven't seen too much going on, although a tree or two (yes, we don't have many trees in the first place) might be starting to turn. I'd have to say "low color" is an accurate description.

Out in deep West Texas, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park social team posted on Instagram that they are finally seeing a sliver of color. Cold temperatures helped boost the fall foliage, as seen in the below photo.

Looking a little further west into the Land of Enchantment, voila—you'll find places where bright yellows, oranges, and reds are making an appearance. Head too far north, and you may even run into bare trees with no leaves at all. So, let's talk about places you may want to head to if you are looking for spectacular fall colors.

Ruidoso, New Mexico

This area has recently suffered from wildfires and would greatly appreciate local tourism to help rebuild parts of the community. While some trees are singed, many have survived, and you can still enjoy beautiful fall colors there. This is the closest location for many West Texas cities.

Driving times are as follows:

Dallas: around 9 hours (570 miles)

Austin: about 8 hours and 15 minutes (520 miles)

Houston: around 10 hours and 30 minutes (660 miles)

San Antonio: approximately 9 hours (570 miles)

El Paso: about 2 hours and 45 minutes (140 miles)

Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

Some places in this mountain range are already past peak color, while others are at their high point now. Visit cities in the area like Santa Fe or Taos for a look at the vibrant leaves at higher elevations.

Driving times are as follows:

Dallas: around 10 hours and 45 minutes (640 miles)

Austin: about 10 hours and 15 minutes (615 miles)

Houston: around 12 hours and 30 minutes (770 miles)

San Antonio: approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes (640 miles)

El Paso: about 4 hours and 45 minutes (320 miles)

Fayetteville, Arkansas

For folks living in the eastern half of Texas, visit the Ozarks in Arkansas for a shorter trip and smaller mountains. There, you'll find more rolling hills instead of towering peaks like in New Mexico, but you'll still find beauty if this is your destination of choice. The trees are just getting into the moderate or high color range, so whether you head there this weekend or next, you'll likely see some lovely fall leaves.

Driving times are as follows:

Dallas: around 5 hours and 15 minutes (340 miles)

Austin: about 7 hours and 30 minutes (490 miles)

Houston: around 8 hours and 15 minutes (560 miles)

San Antonio: approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes (540 miles)

El Paso: about 12 hours and 45 minutes (830 miles)

There's no doubt about it—you'll need to travel far to see the bright fall leaves if you're planning a trip this weekend or next. But if you wait a few weeks more, we should start to see our own leaves changing colors here in Texas—if they're deciduous, of course.

We'll continue to monitor the foliage reports here in Texas to keep you updated on where to find the best fall colors in the coming weeks. With that said, be sure to check back here on Lonestarive.com for updates on all things weather!