Montana Fall Foliage 2026
Typical peak window
Sep 11 – Sep 19
Centered on Sep 15 at reference elevation.
low confidence in typical timing.
Aspen peaks late September; larch is a late-October into early-November event.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Seasonal timing
In a typical season, Montana’s main peak falls around September 15, within the September 11–19 window. High ground around 9,350 feet peaks near August 29, valleys around 4,050 feet near September 17, and aspen peaks in late September; western larch turns gold in late October into early November.
What turns here
- western larch
- quaking aspen
- cottonwood
Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 15Typical color progression for Montana. No change from Aug 8 to Aug 25. First color from Aug 25 to Sep 3. Approaching peak from Sep 3 to Sep 11. Peak from Sep 11 to Sep 19. Past peak from Sep 19 to Sep 29. Bare from Sep 29 to Oct 13.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Aug 25.
Montana by county
13 days from Granite County to Treasure County.
Tap a location marker for coordinates and light times. Where peak usually lands. Boundaries: US Census, 2023. Elevation: USGS 3DEP + SRTM. Method
A county is still an average. Ravalli County spans 15 days on its own, ridge to valley.
Every county, as text
| County | Typical peak | Stage on Nov 1, 2026 | Median elev. | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaverhead County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 6,643 ft | 8 days |
| Big Horn County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Bare | 3,886 ft | 7 days |
| Blaine County | Sep 15 – Sep 23 | Bare | 2,816 ft | 4 days |
| Broadwater County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 4,813 ft | 6 days |
| Carbon County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Bare | 4,395 ft | 14 days |
| Carter County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 3,389 ft | 1 days |
| Cascade County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 4,314 ft | 11 days |
| Chouteau County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 3,060 ft | 2 days |
| Custer County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 2,903 ft | 1 days |
| Daniels County | Sep 15 – Sep 23 | Bare | 2,572 ft | 1 days |
| Dawson County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Bare | 2,609 ft | 2 days |
| Deer Lodge County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 6,003 ft | 12 days |
| Fallon County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 3,031 ft | 1 days |
| Fergus County | Sep 15 – Sep 23 | Bare | 3,775 ft | 7 days |
| Flathead County | Sep 9 – Sep 17 | Bare | 4,504 ft | 12 days |
| Gallatin County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 5,608 ft | 14 days |
| Garfield County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Bare | 2,787 ft | 2 days |
| Glacier County | Sep 8 – Sep 16 | Bare | 4,547 ft | 9 days |
| Golden Valley County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 4,010 ft | 2 days |
| Granite County | Sep 7 – Sep 15 | Bare | 6,527 ft | 7 days |
| Hill County | Sep 15 – Sep 23 | Bare | 2,918 ft | 2 days |
| Jefferson County | Sep 8 – Sep 16 | Bare | 6,427 ft | 10 days |
| Judith Basin County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 4,703 ft | 8 days |
| Lake County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 3,168 ft | 6 days |
| Lewis and Clark County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 5,208 ft | 9 days |
| Liberty County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 3,295 ft | 3 days |
| Lincoln County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 4,167 ft | 6 days |
| Madison County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 5,932 ft | 10 days |
| McCone County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Bare | 2,545 ft | 2 days |
| Meagher County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 5,488 ft | 5 days |
| Mineral County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 4,420 ft | 8 days |
| Missoula County | Sep 11 – Sep 19 | Bare | 4,934 ft | 8 days |
| Musselshell County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Bare | 3,545 ft | 2 days |
| Park County | Sep 10 – Sep 18 | Bare | 6,232 ft | 12 days |
| Petroleum County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Bare | 3,018 ft | 2 days |
| Phillips County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 2,541 ft | 3 days |
| Pondera County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 3,819 ft | 7 days |
| Powder River County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 3,750 ft | 3 days |
| Powell County | Sep 9 – Sep 17 | Bare | 5,609 ft | 8 days |
| Prairie County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Bare | 2,735 ft | 2 days |
| Ravalli County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 5,418 ft | 15 days |
| Richland County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Bare | 2,401 ft | 1 days |
| Roosevelt County | Sep 18 – Sep 26 | Bare | 2,190 ft | 1 days |
| Rosebud County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 2,957 ft | 2 days |
| Sanders County | Sep 14 – Sep 22 | Bare | 3,684 ft | 6 days |
| Sheridan County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 2,337 ft | 2 days |
| Silver Bow County | Sep 9 – Sep 17 | Bare | 6,467 ft | 6 days |
| Stillwater County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Bare | 4,322 ft | 9 days |
| Sweet Grass County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 5,176 ft | 14 days |
| Teton County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 4,084 ft | 3 days |
| Toole County | Sep 12 – Sep 20 | Bare | 3,475 ft | 1 days |
| Treasure County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Bare | 3,045 ft | 2 days |
| Valley County | Sep 16 – Sep 24 | Bare | 2,696 ft | 2 days |
| Wheatland County | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Bare | 4,678 ft | 8 days |
| Wibaux County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Bare | 2,678 ft | 3 days |
| Yellowstone County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Bare | 3,457 ft | 5 days |
Peak by elevation
19 days between the ridges and the valleys below them. The county map above averages that away.
| Elevation band | Approx. elevation | Typical peak | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| High ridges & passes | 9,350 ft | Aug 29 | Bare |
| Mid elevation | 4,500 ft | Sep 15 | Bare |
| Valleys & lowlands | 4,050 ft | Sep 17 | Bare |
Foliage stages
- No change 0–10%
- First color 10–25%
- Approaching peak 25–60%
- Peak 60–90%
- Past peak 40–70%, dropping
- Bare <20%
Plan the light
Montana on September 15, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:40 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 85° | 7:11 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 41 min of low, warm light | 7:51 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:29 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 41 min before sunset | 7:06 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 275° | 7:47 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 8:17 PM |
Times in America/Denver · day length 12h 36m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Where to shoot in Montana
3 researched locations, earliest peak first. Filter these locations
- Holland Falls Trail Bare
Swan Valley · 4,290 ft · peaks Sep 16
The trail traverses the north shore a few hundred feet above the water, and at the falls you turn around to a view west down the full length of Holland Lake with larch stacked on both sidewalls. Late October strips the cottonwood and leaves the larch alone against dark fir.
- Lake McDonald at Apgar Bare
Glacier National Park · 3,153 ft · peaks Sep 18
From the Apgar shoreline the lake runs northeast toward Stanton Mountain and Mount Vaught, with colored cobbles under clear water in the foreground. Western larch on the lower slopes turn in the last week of October, after the cottonwood along McDonald Creek have gone.
- Seeley Lake Bare
Seeley-Swan Valley · 4,029 ft · peaks Sep 18
Western larch line the Clearwater River channel and the marshy north end of the lake, turning butter-yellow well after the aspen have dropped. From the water you shoot east across the lake to the Swan Range with the larch reflected in the shallows.
Recent reports from Montana
Report what you sawCommon questions
- When do the leaves change in Montana?
- Montana typically peaks Sep 11 – Sep 19, centered on Sep 15. Aspen peaks late September; larch is a late-October into early-November event. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model; current conditions may differ.
- Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Montana?
- Yes, by about 19 days. High ground around 9,350 ft peaks near Aug 29, while valleys near 4,050 ft wait until Sep 17. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb. Try lower valleys after high ground has passed peak, or higher ground while valleys are still green.
- Where are the best places to see fall color in Montana?
- The guide includes 3 researched locations in Montana, including Holland Falls Trail, Lake McDonald at Apgar, Seeley Lake. Holland Falls Trail turns first, around Sep 16, and Seeley Lake is last, around Sep 18. Each includes coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.
- What trees turn color in Montana?
- Mainly western larch, quaking aspen, cottonwood. 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.