There's just something magical about the leaves changing colors, and this is the best place to view the fall colors in the Hoosier state.

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Stunning Colors

Fall is the prettiest time of year (in my opinion) because it's the time that leaves change to all kinds of bright colors before they fall off the trees. According to the Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, the colors that the leaves turn to are influenced by three things the weather, length of night time, and the color of the leaf.

For years, scientists have worked to understand the changes that occur in trees and shrubs during autumn. Although we don't know all the details, we do know enough to explain the basics to help you enjoy nature's multicolored display. Three factors influence autumn leaf color:

- leaf pigments

- length of night

- weather

The timing of color changes and the onset of falling leaves is primarily regulated by the calendar as nights become longer.

Many people like to travel to places where they can really view the fall foliage, so often people will travel to places like state parks to really soak in nature's beauty. So where is the best place to view fall foliage in the Hoosier state?

The Best Fall Foliage in Indiana

If you're looking to get away and soak up some stunning nature views, the best place to do that is hands down Brown County State Park.  Not only is Brown County State Park the largest state park in Indiana, but According to Brown County it's also been nicknamed the "Little Smokies."

Experience Indiana’s largest state park! Nicknamed the “Little Smokies” because of the area’s resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Brown County State Park encompasses nearly 16,000-acres of rugged hills, ridges, and fog-shrouded ravines. The Brown County State Park is a traditional fall color hot spot, with nearly 20-miles of tree-lined roads and many scenic vistas overlooking miles of uninterrupted forestland. The park was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 as the largest historic district in Indiana.

When is the Best Time to See Fall Foliage?

If you want to plan a getaway to Brown County, Indiana to see the fall foliage you want to plan to hit it at the right time.  According to the Farmer's Almanac predictions for fall foliage in 2023, the peak time to see the colors in Indiana will be from October 5-21st for northern Indiana, and October 12 through 28th for Southern Indiana. So heading to Brown County around the middle of the month should be the perfect time to catch those stunning colors!