Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Muscatatuck River Bottoms, Indiana · 578 ft
Bottomland and shallow marsh along the Muscatatuck in southern Indiana, water-level country rather than the ridge overlooks the state already has. Oak and hickory carry the color and the impoundments give it somewhere to land.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Typical peak
Oct 17 – Oct 25
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Crowds
moderate
Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.
Getting there
Off US 50 east of Seymour. A three-mile auto tour route runs the impoundments with pullouts, plus several short trails and an observation tower.
What turns here
- oak
- hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 21Typical color progression for Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. No change from Sep 13 to Sep 30. First color from Sep 30 to Oct 9. Approaching peak from Oct 9 to Oct 17. Peak from Oct 17 to Oct 25. Past peak from Oct 25 to Nov 4. Bare from Nov 4 to Nov 18.
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is typically at no change on this date.
Light at peak
Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge on October 21, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:31 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 103° | 7:58 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 37 min of low, warm light | 8:35 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:27 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset | 6:20 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 257° | 6:57 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:24 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 10h 58m · 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.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.