As the days grow cooler and darker, the forests undergo a colorful redesign with the transformation of autumn.

Fall’s arrival kicks off a color burst across Montana’s forestlands. A majority of leaves will start changing in the coming weeks as aspens and larches glow golden, maples pop red and the cottonwoods burn orange.

Trees change colors in the fall as a natural response to shorter days and cooler temperatures. During the growing season, leaves are green because of chlorophyll, the pigment that captures sunlight for photosynthesis. As autumn approaches, trees slow down food production and chlorophyll breaks down, revealing other pigments that were present all along. Carotenoids give leaves their yellow and orange hues, while anthocyanins produced in some species during fall add brilliant reds and oranges. This colorful display is part of the tree’s preparation for winter, as it conserves energy and eventually sheds its leaves to survive the cold season.

Western Montana gets most of the glory, but each corner of the state has something to offer that is worth witnessing. Some of the best places to take in the fall display include Glacier National Park, the Seeley-Swan corridor south of Bigfork and along the Flathead River. A simple drive along Highway 93 or a hike into Jewel Basin can also reward you with breathtaking views. Of course, around Yellowstone National Park will never disappoint, especially around Mammoth Hot Springs. The Bitterroot Valley is a colorful canvas as well.

To track Montana’s seasonal transformation, view the “Explore Fall” foliage map at Montana Fall Foliage Map: Find Fall Color in 2025.