Wondering when the color of fall leaves will peak in 2023 and where the best place to see them is, in our area?
David Angotti can tell you. He is a statistical expert and the co-founder of the site SmokyMountains.com. His love for weather, travel, technology, and the autumn season led him to begin developing a nationwide fall leaf map in 2013 after one Smoky Mountains visitor too many inquired with him when the leaves would be at their fall best.
What started as a fun side-project quickly became the most respected nationwide fall leaf map and one of the best fall resources in the country. Now, tens of millions of people use his map each year to plan everything from photography trips to weddings. But the most common users are simply people wondering when the leaves will peak near them, just like you're wondering when leaves will be at their best fall color in Gardner, Spring Hill, Paola, and nearby areas!
While not an exact science, the predictive map uses a complex algorithm that carefully analyzes several million data points and outputs approximately 50,000 predictive data pieces to determine when leaves will peak in each part of the country.
Check out the map below to see when the leaves will peak near us or another part of the country. Simply move the slider along the bottom to see when leaves are expected to reach peak color in your hometown.
Where to go leaf peeping locally:
While at Macaroni KID Gardner-Spring Hill-Paola we don't use scientific data to determine the best place to see fall leaves, we think we have pretty good intel! Here are some highly recommended places to go leaf-peeping:
- Baldwin City, KS
- Wyandotte County Lake Park, KC, KS
- Downtown Independence, MO
- Parkville, MO
- Weston, MO
 Elena Photo via Canva |
- Prairie Spirit Trail State Park - 900 S. Main Street, Garnett, KS 66032
- Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens - 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park, KS 66013
- Loose Park - 5200 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64112
- City Market - 20th E. 5th Street #201, Kansas City, MO 64106
 Ikostudio via Canva |
- National WWI Museum and Memorial - 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO 64108
- Cliff Drive - 192 N. Garfield Drive, Kansas City, MO 64124
- Powell Gardens - 1609 NW US Hwy. 50, Kingsville, MO 64061
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - 4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
 Gratisography from Pexels |
- Kaw River State Park - 300 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, KS 66606
- Gypsum Hills - US-160, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
- Cedar Point Mill - 1st Street, Cedar Point, KS 66843
- Flint Hills National Scenic Byway - 57-157 E. Main Street, Council Grove, KS 66846
 Ikostudio via Canva |
- Riley County Offices - 100 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS 66502
- Central Riverside Park - 720 Nims N., Wichita, KS 67203
- Glacial Hills Scenic Byway - 1737 Elgin Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048
- The Old Glick Mansion Property - 503 N. 2nd Street, Atchison, KS 66002
 Laura Reed from Pexels |
- Glade Top Trail - National Scenic Byway, Ava, MO 65608
- Eisenhower State Park - 29810 S. Fairlawn Road, Osage City, KS 66523
- Cross Timbers State Park - Kansas 105, Toronto, KS
- Bartlett Arboretum - 301 N. Line Street, Belle Plaine, KS 67013
