Leaf Watch 2026: Fall colors spreading in North Georgia

Weekend here, even though we're not quite there yet, we know we're moving into a very, very nice fall weekend, which is always a bonus, I would argue, especially if you're trying to make some weekend plans. So let's get the update. Our weekly update come in every Thursday morning from the Georgia Forestry Commission, and they update us on how the color's changing across North Georgia. There's a variety of color change depending on location. Probably not surprisingly, Northwest Georgia has the least amount of color change, but should reach peak in the first two weeks of November, so we're getting closer. North Central Georgia, above 3,000 feet in elevation, it's upwards of 40% of color change. That's a big jump, really, from last week. And in the North Georgia mountains, well, you know, that's where some of the best color is usually found. And really, in the next week or two is when the peak should happen there. Some of those spots have had up to 45% of color change. Lots of festivals to go check out in this beautiful weekend weather. This is not an exhaustive list, but a few of them. In Northeast Georgia, you've got Oktoberfest in Helen, the Toccoa Harvest Festival. Dawsonville has the Mountain Moonshine Festival. And in Northwest Georgia, the North Georgia Fair is happening. And if you want some more information on these, you can check out my social media. Along with these scenic drives, in Northeast Georgia, the State Route 180 from Suches to Brasstown Bald is going to show you the best color. In North Central Georgia, specifically in Union County, the Russell Scenic Highway, that's always a good bet. And then just an idea of what we're looking at here in northwest Georgia, the red color starting to pop. That Sonton Wildlife Management Area, that's going to be your best bet for seeing some of the best color, whether you're taking a drive or taking a hike there on their trails. And then in Rabun County, this is the highest elevation in Georgia, starting to see a variety of colors popping out there and that beautiful blue sky, too. That is a staple of the weather this week and will be into next week also. And then in Towns County, there's that State Route 180 where it's some gorgeous color there. And we encourage you to share your reports and your pictures, too. You can scan that QR code right there. Again, every Thursday morning, we'll bring you a fresh update. All right.