Fall is officially here: These maps predict when you'll see the best foliage

Roll up your beach towel and put away your flip-flops: It's officially fall, which means it's time to enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, crisper air and, of course, colorful fall foliage.

If you're ready to go leaf-peeping, there are a handful of maps and trackers that can help you find the ideal places — and the best times — to see foliage across the country.

That includes Explore Fall's foliage tracker , which uses an AI model trained on foliage observations , along with daylight and weather conditions, to predict when and where leaves will change color. Or consider The Foliage Report , which aggregates data from across the country into regional maps that get updated weekly. And, of course, the Old Farmer's Almanac has its own take on the foliage tracker that leverages historical foliage patterns.

Across all these reports, it's clear some parts of the country are already experiencing noticeable foliage changes, with leaves continuing to change over the next few weeks.

Itching to look at some leaves before trees shed their foliage entirely? Here are some popular destinations where you can find brilliant color.

Acadia National Park, located along the Atlantic coast in Maine, is an ideal destination for travelers who love to hike ; it has trails suitable for novice and experienced hikers alike.

You can take in the incredible coastal views by hiking (or driving) up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard. Get up early enough in autumn, and you'll even see the first sunrise in the U.S.

The 47-mile Pine Creek Gorge is framed by two state parks where visitors can hike and camp. Feeling adventurous? Embark on the strenuous 3-mile Colton Point State Park Turkey Path, a route that goes to the canyon floor and back.

You may spot a bald eagle or a river otter — and you'll definitely see a diverse mix of trees, including sugar and red maples.

When to go: Late September to early October

Want a side of amazing rock formations with your leaves? Check out Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore , which is located along the southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It has a distinctive landscape, with sandstone cliffs, forests and beaches, as well as the Grand Sable Dunes at the far eastern side of the park — perfect for hiking and backpacking.

And if you're seeking colorful leaves, the park's many maples, birches, pines and other trees make it possible to spot an array of beautiful foliage during your visit.

When to go: Mid-October to early November

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sits on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, is the most-visited national park in the country. And if you haven't been yet, peeking at the fall foliage is the perfect reason.

Cades Cove Loop Road is one of the most popular drives in the park, with scenery that includes historic churches and cemeteries. The nature is impressive too: Not only will you spot the changing foliage on your 11-mile, one-way adventure, but you may also get lucky and spot wildlife such as black bears .

Want to learn about the history of the Great Smoky Mountains? Visit the park on Nov. 7, known as Daisy Town Day. On this day, volunteers don historical clothes and share stories in the town of Elkmont to commemorate the area's rich heritage.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

This Pacific Northwest destination has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the country. It sits on the border of Oregon and Washington, and is roughly 30 miles east of Portland.

One of the most popular sites in the area is Multnomah Falls; at 620 feet, it's the tallest waterfall in Oregon. But while the falls may be the Gorge's biggest selling point, the yellow, red and orange foliage of the season is perhaps equally breathtaking — and you can take it all in on the Historic Columbia River Highway on your way to the falls.