Peak Time for Fall Leaves in Jasper, Arkansas: 2021
The Smoky Mountains Region recently released their annual Fall Foliage Prediction Map for the United States. The peak time for colorful leaves in Jasper, Arkansas is projected to be around October 18th. This date falls a few weeks earlier than previous years, where peak fall colors occurred during the first week of November. If we were to predict, anyone visiting Jasper between October 18th - November 8th, will surely witness some of the most gorgeous foliage in the Ozarks.
Peak Fall foliage in Arkansas. Image via SmokyMountains.com
If you are looking to vacation to Jasper this Fall, there are some great hikes located just a few minutes from downtown. One of our favorite hiking trails close to Jasper is Round Top Mountain. The trail offers north and south facing views, multiple routes, historical sites, and a great view of downtown Jasper. Visiting the trials at Round Top Mountain is a great opportunity to see the leaves and dine out in Jasper, all in the same day. To visit Round Top Mountain, drive 2.4 miles south of Jasper on HWY 7. You will see the signage and the entrance on the right-hand side, if you are driving south. There is a nice parking area, along with a few picnic tables as well.
Fall colors in Jasper, Arkansas.
Closely located to Round Top Mountain is Scenic Point, which features a lookout tower you can walk up to get a breathtaking view of the Ozark Mountains. (You can actually see all the way into Missouri!) Scenic Point is located 3.6 miles south of Jasper on HWY 7. It is a popular stop for tourist passing though. You will definitely want to bring your camera!
Fall leaves in the backcountry of the Ozark Mountains.
The Koen Experimental Forest is another fantastic trail worth checking out. The trail access road is located 3 miles north of Jasper on HWY 7. The Koen Experimental Forest spans 720-acres and features a walking trail that is wheelchair accessible. The trail features over 34+ different kinds of trees and plants, all with identification markers. This is a great way to see a large variety of various colorful foliage in one location.
Fall foliage near Big Creek.
Finally, if you are looking for a hiking trail along the river, check out the Buffalo River Trail at Pruitt. The trails is located 5.6 miles north of Jasper on HWY 7, near the location of the newly built bridge. The trail features a beautiful picnic area with lots of shade trees and it is only a 2-mile hike/walk to the neighboring Ozark Campground.
Variety of Fall colors in the Ozarks.