The transition from summer to fall is seen almost everywhere, but is most noticeable in nature.

The color change of leaves happens during mid-September- mid-November. The reason behind this color transformation is as the leaves prepare for winter, they lose their chlorophyll which gives them their green color.

Even though this is a loss of color for the trees and forest, it returns in the spring and, for now, it is a beautiful sight to see and take in.

Some places that you can see this beautiful transformation are below. 

Poudre Canyon

Poudre Canyon is located right beside the Cache la Poudre River which runs about 40 miles long and is 20-25 minutes away from Fort Collins. It hosts species like blue spruce, ponderosa pine, and Narrowleaf Cottonwood which show the drastic change that happens during this time of year. Alongside the river, there are many places to stop for hike, fish, and picnic. 

Roosevelt National forest

Roosevelt National Forest is located near Bellevue and Poudre Canyon and is around 20-30 minutes away from Fort Collins. The forest covers over 800,000 acres of land north of the Rocky Mountains and is alongside the Arapahoe National Forest. It is perfect for camping and venturing into nature for some peace and quiet.

Rocky mountain national park

Rocky Mountain National Park is situated west of Fort Collins and is around an hour or so away. Even though it is a bit of a drive, it holds some of the best alpine tundra scenery and is near Trail Ridge Road where the overview of the mountains is breath-taking. This continental divide has one of the most magnificent views of fall.

If you are tired of sitting in front of a computer and looking to get out of the house, try one of these drives and enjoy the gorgeous fall scenery.