3 Leaf-Peeping Road Trips In Rhode Island: When Foliage Peaks

RHODE ISLAND — Fall foliage is nearing peak brilliance in Rhode Island, making the time ripe for a fall leaf-peeping road trip.

According to an interactive fall foliage map, the leaves in Rhode Island should be popping around Oct. 7.

The map, from the travel site Smokymountains.com uses a refined data model based on historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in specific geographic areas, and real-time user reports.

The map is easy to use. The slider at the bottom resets weekly to include the latest data. To see when leaves are expected to peak, move the slider to the right. Leaves haven’t started changing yet in green areas, and the brown color means foliage has passed its peak.

As with any meteorological forecast dependent upon weather variables, leaf predictions aren’t always 100 percent accurate, but the map does give Rhode Island leaf-peepers a good shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange and sunny yellows.

Here are three fall leaf-peeping road trips in Rhode Island:

Newport and Ocean Drive

This drive offers fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Fort Adams State Park.

Conanicut Island (Jamestown Island)

Taking a ride on this island offers not only beautiful fall foliage, but also views of historic homes and Narragansett bay.

Goddard Park

Goddard Park has miles of beautiful stone walls, woodsy horse trails, open fields with large old trees, a beach and a nine-hole golf course.

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