Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Elephant Rocks State Park
Peak fall color is predicted around October 27. Plan for the strongest viewing window from October 22 to November 1.
- Predicted peak
- October 27
- Best window
- October 22 – November 1
- Confidence range
- ±5 days
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Ironton and across Missouri.
That is 5 days later than usual (October 22): the six weeks to October 17 ran 7.0°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color.
Nearby locales
Other places to see color near Elephant Rocks State Park
30 to 60 minutes
1 to 2 hours
2 to 3 hours
- Missouri Botanical Garden87 mi · 2 hr 1 minPeak: Nov 11Status: Moderate color
- Forest Park84 mi · 2 hr 4 minPeak: Nov 10Status: Moderate color
- Castlewood State Park84 mi · 2 hr 5 minPeak: Oct 30Status: Moderate color
- Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park92 mi · 2 hr 9 minPeak: Nov 3Status: Moderate color
- Great River Road100 mi · 2 hr 22 minPeak: Oct 28Status: High color