Hoosier National Forest Ranks Sixth for Fall Foliage
A Magic Hour study of 174 federal lands places Indiana's forest sixth nationally for autumn color.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in National Parks
Magic Hour ranked Hoosier National Forest sixth in the United States for fall foliage, earning a Fall Foliage Score of 87.6 out of 100. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia topped the list with a score of 91.3.
Why it matters
The ranking gives travelers a measured way to compare fall foliage destinations across the country. For Indiana residents, it identifies a nearby forest that scores among the nation's strongest for autumn color.
The Fall Foliage Score, based on U.S. Geological Survey land-cover data across 174 federal lands, gives Hoosier National Forest 87.6 points, with about 82.1% of its land covered by deciduous trees and 11% by mixed woodland. The score reflects land cover alone and does not measure how vivid the colors will be in a given autumn.
The players
Magic Hour
A travel and outdoor-recreation publication that compiled the national fall foliage ranking from federal land-cover data.
U.S. Geological Survey
The federal science agency whose land-cover data formed the basis for the Fall Foliage Scores of the 174 federal lands analyzed.
The details
Each location received a Fall Foliage Score out of 100, counting deciduous forest in full and mixed forest at half weight. Wayne National Forest ranked second at 90.1, followed by Cumberland Gap National Historical Park at 90.0, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve at 89.8, and Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area at 89.4.
Timeline
Late October into early November: typical peak foliage period for Hoosier National Forest
Seasonal Patterns
The ranking draws on the National Land Cover Database's classification of deciduous and mixed forest, the same land-cover categories used to track forest composition nationwide. It turns that land-cover data into a seasonal comparison, ranking parks by how much of their forest changes color each autumn rather than by their overall size or visitation.
Visitors planning an autumn trip to Hoosier National Forest should aim for late October into early November, the typical peak foliage window. Because the score measures forest cover rather than predicted color intensity, travelers should check current conditions before arriving.
The takeaway
Hoosier National Forest offers strong fall color close to home for Indiana travelers. Planning around the late October to early November window helps maximize the visit.
Further reading
Explore more about national forests and parks near Indiana for fall planning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
