The autumnal equinox heralds the beginning of fall and cooler weather in the Northern Hemisphere. As daylight hours decrease, deciduous tree leaves change color from cool greens to warm shades of orange, red and yellow before falling to the ground. Orange is the color of transformation, and fall is the harvest season symbolizing change, transition and renewal.

Arizona may not be the first place that comes to mind for a road trip to view the fleeting fall foliage, but thanks to higher elevations and cooler temperatures in the northern and eastern parts of the state, there are pockets of high desert awash in a beautiful autumn color palette each fall.

From late September through early November (depending on weather patterns), the epicenter for autumn colors in Arizona is concentrated around Sedona, Flagstaff and higher north at the Grand Canyon. By late November, deciduous trees in Arizona’s lower elevations east of Tucson begin to change color, extending autumn in Arizona into mid-December.

Sedona is an excellent home base for your fall leaf-peeping adventures. At Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, you can celebrate the change of seasons in the heart of nature. Recently awarded two Michelin Keys, Ambiente’s freestanding glass atriums with private rooftops give guests stellar views of Sedona’s autumn landscape against a backdrop of red rocks, and an elevated viewpoint for watching stunning sunsets and starry night skies.

Consider drives, hikes and lookout points in the area to further immerse yourself into nature’s fall spectacle. A gorgeous and uncrowded place to walk through autumnal splendor is the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness along the moderately challenging Parsons Trail, accessed near the town of Cottonwood. It’s a 7.3 mile-trail out and back, but you don’t need to walk the entire trail to see fall color. Sycamore Canyon is the second largest canyon in Arizona, after the Grand Canyon, and is one of the oldest designated wilderness areas in the state. Parsons Trail is located on the lower end of the canyon, near Tuzigoot National Monument. Its desert riparian area along Sycamore Creek features big trees like the large-leafed sycamore and the Arizona cottonwood that are ablaze with color in the fall.

Mature cottonwoods can grow to 100 feet tall with trunks six feet around, or larger. Their majestic leaf canopies turn a golden yellow in autumn. When the wind blows through the leaves, which are triangular-shaped with jagged edges, they make a sound like running water. Cottonwoods and sycamores are riparian-dependent, so you’ll find these colorful trees along water sources like a river or stream. Cottonwoods have a scent like cotton candy.

Another short drive from Sedona leads to Oak Creek Canyon and some incredible fall foliage along the winding highway 89A. For a closer look, walk along the canyon floor on the West Fork Trail which meanders between the stream and the steep canyon walls. Sycamore, cottonwood, and maple trees provide lots of vibrant color, reflected in the stream’s clear water. It’s a 6.5-mile out-and-back trail, but you’ll see plenty of color early on if you only want to walk a portion of it.

For another day’s leaf-peeping adventure, drive north to Flagstaff, stopping at the Oak Creek Vista about halfway for a great photo opp, and on to the San Francisco Peaks. At this higher elevation of 9000 feet above sea level, aspens grow in abundance.

The Aspen Nature Loop Trail, an easy 2.3 miles roundtrip, provides the perfect setting for forest bathing amidst groves of quaking aspens. Walk slowly and engage all your senses. Notice the contrast of the aspens’ white bark and yellow leaves against the dark green spruce and Ponderosa pines of the forest.  See the heart-shaped leaves and how the slightest breeze causes them to tremble in one shimmering mass of gold, creating a pleasing sound. You can access this trailhead just across from the SnowBowl parking lot.

Autumn is also an excellent time to visit the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Fall in Grand Canyon means temperatures are cool, crowds are thin, and vibrant fall color is on display from cottonwoods and aspens in the Kaibab National Forest that surrounds the canyon.

Typically, fall color in the Grand Canyon lasts only a few weeks in early October, but it’s highly variable due to weather. Be sure to check the Forest Service sites for updates and their recommended driving routes to view the most eye-popping colors.

Taking time to witness the changing leaves symbolically connects us with the cycle of nature and a new season. Whether you are looking to turn over a new leaf or yearning for a romantic escape this fall, Sedona renews the spirit with the unique beauty and color of the high desert.