When do the leaves change in Kansas?

Kansas typically peaks Oct 15 – Oct 23, centered on Oct 19. A fairly compressed late-October window across the eastern third. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model, not a live reading of this year's canopy.

Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Kansas?

Yes, by about 13 days. High ground around 3,500 ft peaks near Oct 10, while valleys near 0 ft wait until Oct 23. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb, so if you miss it low you can often drive up and find it.

What trees turn color in Kansas?

Mainly cottonwood, oak, hickory, sumac. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.

Kansas Fall Foliage 2026

No change 0–10% Peak in about 78 days

The eastern third of Kansas shows foliage from mid to late October, with cottonwoods along rivers turning gold first. Oak and hickory in the Flint Hills follow within a week. The window is compressed, typically running from October 15 through October 23, with peak color around October 19.

When Kansas peaks

Oct 15 – Oct 23

Centered on Oct 19. A fairly compressed late-October window across the eastern third.

low confidence. Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.

Where peak usually lands. Drought or an early freeze moves it by a few days. Method

What turns here

cottonwood
oak
hickory
sumac

Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 19

typical peak

Color starts around Sep 28.

Peak by elevation

13 days between the ridges and the valleys. County maps average this away, which is how you miss peak at the right place.

Elevation band	Approx. elevation	Typical peak	Today
High ridges & passes	3,500 ft	Oct 10	No change
Mid elevation	1,000 ft	Oct 19	No change
Valleys & lowlands	0 ft	Oct 23	No change

Foliage stages

No change 0–10%
First color 10–25%
Approaching peak 25–60%
Peak 60–90%
Past peak 40–70%, dropping
Bare <20%

Light at peak

Kansas on October 19, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.

Solar event times for Kansas on October 19
Event	Time
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	7:09 AM
Sunrise Rises ESE · 102°	7:36 AM
Morning golden hour ends 36 min of low, warm light	8:12 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light	1:07 PM
Evening golden hour starts 36 min before sunset	6:02 PM
Sunset Sets WSW · 258°	6:39 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	7:06 PM

Times in America/Chicago · day length 11h 3m · computed from NOAA solar equations

Which way to point the camera

Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.

Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.

Location pages name the light directly.

Where to shoot in Kansas

No verified locations here yet. We'd rather show none than guess at coordinates. See the states already covered.

Recent reports from Kansas

Report what you saw

Common questions

When do the leaves change in Kansas?: Kansas typically peaks Oct 15 – Oct 23, centered on Oct 19. A fairly compressed late-October window across the eastern third. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model, not a live reading of this year's canopy.
Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Kansas?: Yes, by about 13 days. High ground around 3,500 ft peaks near Oct 10, while valleys near 0 ft wait until Oct 23. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb, so if you miss it low you can often drive up and find it.
What trees turn color in Kansas?: Mainly cottonwood, oak, hickory, sumac. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.