It happens every year.

As the days grow shorter, trees prepare for winter by ceasing production of the chemical chlorophyll, which keeps their leaves green.

The results can be spectacular, as those leaves are transformed into brilliant tones of orange, yellow and red.

When will colors change in Kansas?

That annual spectacle is expected to begin the week of Sept. 29 along the Sunflower State’s western edge, says a 2025 fall foliage map published online by the National Park Service.

By the week of Oct. 12, leaves will be changing colors throughout Kansas, that map said.

It predicted the peak of color would come throughout most of the Sunflower State’s western half the week of Nov. 3, and throughout most of its eastern half the week of Nov. 10.

Following are seven of the best places in Kansas to enjoy the view.

Baldwin City

This community in Douglas County in northeast Kansas is so closely identified with fall foliage that since 1958 it has hosted the annual Maple Leaf Festival, which takes place this year Oct. 18 and 19.

Inspiration for the event comes in part from the “hundreds of beautiful maple trees, which form an umbrella of brilliant color over the city each fall,” said the leisure and sports website lasr.net.

The festival is one of the state’s largest autumn events and features “parades, quilt shows, street food, and pumpkin everything,” said the worldatlas.com website.

Native Stone Scenic Byway

The 75-mile Native Stone Scenic Byway, which runs through the Flint Hills, gets its color from the many groves and creeks along the route, said the travelks.com website.

“Fall is a festival of colors as the highway cuts through the rolling terrain — highlighting both the natural wonder of rock formations and the amazing craftwork of masons who built walls, bridges and buildings with native stone,” it said.

The byway’s beginning and ending points are eight miles south of Manhattan, at Interstate 70, exit 313, and at the intersection of K-highway and Glick Road, in western Shawnee County.

Ted Ensley Gardens

The view becomes particularly colorful each fall in the Woodland Garden just north of the Garden House in Ted Ensley Gardens at Topeka’s Lake Shawnee.

As visitors sit on a shaded stone bench in those gardens, “The colorful foliage of Painters Palette draws the eye to the north,” said a K-State Research and Extension website highlighting the Woodland Garden. “Do not miss the spectacular display of the wahoo tree in the fall as you continue to the seated arbor overlooking Lake Shawnee. From this vantage point, you can view our secret garden — a sunny spot where we have tucked away our latest Monarch Waystation.”

Frontier Military Historic Byway

The Frontier Military Historic Byway follows paths established by the Army in the 19th century while running 167 miles between Fort Leavenworth on the north to Fort Scott on the south, eventually reaching the Kansas/Oklahoma border.

It is the longest byway in Kansas, passing by “forts, museums and other historical gems,” and offers many places to pull off and enjoy the foliage, said the kstravel.com website.

“Pull on your comfy sweatshirt as you take in the colorful woodlands of the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge and Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area,” that site said. It cautioned travelers to “Be on the lookout for deer!”

Chautauqua Hills Loop trail

“A fall foliage wonderland” is the description the onlyinyourstate.com website gave to the seven-mile Chautauqua Hills Loop trail at Cross Timbers State Park, about 12 miles west of Yates Center in Woodson County in southeast Kansas.

If you’re looking for fall foliage that’ll knock your socks off, Cross Timbers State Park is an excellent place for adventure,” that website said. “However, there’s one particular trail — Chautauqua Hills Loop — that takes fall foliage to the next level. Lace up your hiking boots and pack some trail snacks, because this adventure is one you’ll want to experience in person.”

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway

“Nature’s fiery color display is perfection on a mild autumn day on the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway,” said the kstravel.com website. “Stretching more than 47 miles across the Flint Hills of Kansas, the byway is a two-lane, paved road and a favorite fall foliage drive.”

The byway runs along K-177 highway from Council Grove in Morris County in central Kansas to Cassoday in Butler County in south-central Kansas, offering views of one of the last remaining stretches of tallgrass prairie and access to historic sites that include the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, which features a historic mansion and schoolhouse.

Alcove Spring

Fall brings colorful foliage to Alcove Spring, near Blue Rapids in Marshall County in northeast Kansas, said the touristsecrets.com website.

The site is known for the springs located there, an intermittent waterfall and its historical significance as a stop for Native Americans, fur traders and pioneers using the Oregon Trail, the “8 Wonders of Kansas Geography” website said.

The location was named by pioneers from the ill-fated Donner Party, who stopped there in 1846, then continued west before some of them resorted to cannibalism after they became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

As reported in the Topeka Capital Journal

DIY fall season décor, recipes with pumpkins
Pumpkins are a big part of fall decorations and diet, so here are some ideas to help you best utilize them during the season, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension wellness initiatives coordinator for the Healthy Texas Program, Dallas, said pumpkins are a fall staple that can be utilized in décor and seasonal recipes. She offers some tips and suggestions for best using them for your Halloween decorations and fall recipes.

Pumpkins can be used in seasonal recipes or as fall décor option in so many ways, whether a jack-o-lantern, front porch decoration, fall table-scape arrangements, decoration around the fireplace or as props for family photos, Keenan said.

“There are many ways to maximize the usefulness of pumpkins,” she said. “They’re a big part of fall décor, including Halloween. They’re also a big part of many seasonal and holiday recipes. I try to find as many uses for them as I can.”

Pumpkin recipe ideas
Keenan said once the seeds and pulp are removed for use in food or drinks, they should be immediately refrigerated or prepared to avoid potential food safety issues.

“Once you carve a pumpkin and leave the pulp out for more than a couple of hours, you can assume it’s not good to eat,” she said.

Pumpkins can be used to make a host of seasonal treats and beverages, Keenan said.

Pumpkin puree is an easy way to utilize the pulp inside, she said. Puree can be used to make sweet treats like pies, parfait and cookies or savory snacks like hummus.

AgriLife Extension has a number of pumpkin recipes available through its Dinner Tonight program.

The puree should be stored in the refrigerator and will likely last around four days before spoiling, she said.

“How long it lasts in storage will depend on how fresh it was from the vine when you purchased it, its condition since and any potential for bacteria to exponentiate,” she said. “Canning the puree correctly can extend its shelf life up to four months.”

Keenan said pumpkin seeds can be a simple and healthy seasonal treat.

“Baking pumpkin seeds is yet another way to utilize the pumpkin,” she said. “You can experiment with different spice blends – savory, spicy and sweet – to find your family’s favorite, just be sure to watch for too much added sodium or added sugars.”

Prepping your pumpkin to cook or carve
Keenan does not recommend any chemical washes to prepare pumpkins for carving and pulp removal. Most pumpkins in retail settings are relatively clean for presentation, but some cleaning may be necessary when applying paint or other flare.

“Just make sure it’s cleaned under cool running water before cutting it,” she said. “It’s got a tough rind, so you could use a vegetable brush to clean the outside before you use it, if it’s excessively dirty.”

If you plan to use the pulp for cooking, make sure your hands, the carving area and tools are properly sanitized, she said.

Pumpkin carving safety
Carving jack-o-lanterns is a Halloween tradition, but safety should be a priority during carving and when using the seeds and pulp for seasonal treats, Keenan said.

“It’s surprising how many knife injuries there are from carving pumpkins each year because it seems obvious,” she said. “But knife safety and being conscience and cautious about how you carve is important because you can get caught up in the activity, and the next thing you know you’ve got a cut on your finger, hand or worse.”

Keenan said painting could be a better option for small children. Pumpkin carving kits can also provide less dangerous tools for the job.

When carving, always take your time and make controlled cuts, she said. Turn the pumpkin to cut away from your body and off-hand, and always be conscientious of where your off-hand is in relation to the blade.

“When pumpkin carving is a family activity, your mind can wander away from things like safety,” she said. “The pumpkin can be slippery. Sometimes the rind is difficult to cut through in some spots and surprisingly easy in others, and all these factors can lead to an injury.”

Extending a pumpkin’s life

Pumpkins last a fairly long time off the vine, she said. Their post-harvest life depends on where you get them, how long they’ve been sitting and how they are displayed. Using them outside in the weather or staging them with other organic matter like hay can speed up decomposition.

“The more items sitting together, being outside in elements, harboring moisture at the base or resting between two items is going to contribute to decomposition,” she said. “A well-drained area will prolong the life of the pumpkin, whether it’s carved or whole.”

Keenan said she’s seen pumpkins used to hold flower arrangements but suggests carving out just enough of the pumpkin to hold a vase. Arrange and water the flowers inside the vase to reduce the moisture levels inside the pumpkin and try to keep some space between the pumpkin and the arrangement.

Because pumpkins can have an extended post-harvest life, uncarved pumpkins used for Halloween décor could be used for fall cooking recipes going into the holidays, she said.

“If you buy a whole pumpkin and let it sit for weeks and it doesn’t show any signs of decay, you are probably fine to use the pumpkin meat,” she said. “Check for mushy or rotting areas, any sign of decomposition inside the pumpkin or a bad smell. Just check for anything that suggests decay.”

Composting pumpkin remains

However, when your pumpkin does ultimately decay, then adding pumpkins to compost piles is a good way to use the leftover organic matter, said Joe Masabni, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension, horticulturist, Dallas.

It’s best to either blend them up or let them dry and break the rinds up into as small of pieces as possible, he said.

“The smaller the pieces, the better, so it will break down and compost quicker,” he said. “Composting seeds and all can be fine, but you need to break them up as well, otherwise some may germinate in your compost pile.”

Saving seeds to plant

When you are done with your pumpkin this season, seeds can be saved to plant next year by laying them out flat to air dry on paper towels, Masabni said. They should be dried enough within 24 hours and then can be placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. Mark the bag with the pumpkin variety and date.

“If they’re stored correctly, they can last at least five years,” he said. “Don’t heat dry them in an oven or in the sun because it’s like roasting them and could cause damage.”