Kentucky is, without a doubt, one of the best places in the COUNTRY to see amazing fall foliage in all its glory. And here at Visit Owensboro, we believe our city and surrounding county is the top notch place to travel to experience this once-a-year masterpiece from nature.
From winding country roads to the 25-plus gorgeous parks to the waterfront views speckled with trees bursting with yellow, orange, red and purple leaves, Owensboro has so many places to get the best fall foliage experience of the season.
According to experts, the best time to view fall foliage in northwestern Kentucky starts in mid-to-late October and lasts through the beginning of November. So there’s still plenty of time to plan a trip to see why Owensboro is one of the most beautiful places in the country, especially during fall.
Below is a list of some of our favorite places to get started on your fall foliage experience in Owensboro-Daviess County:
World’s Largest Sassafras Tree
First off, you’ve got to start your fall foliage journey by checking out the largest known sassafras tree in the world! Located at 2100 Frederica Street, this tree measures over 100 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference. Even better, sassafras trees boast some amazing colors during fall, with leaves turning bright yellow, orange, red and even pink.
Smothers Park
You not only get gorgeous waterfront views of the Ohio River, but there are trees sprinkled throughout the downtown park that create the perfect fall setting. This is a great place to grab a coffee or hot chocolate from one of our local businesses and take a stroll through our award-winning riverfront area. It’s also a great place for photos!
Ben Hawes Park
This 300-acre park contains a golf course, shelters, a playground and the famous Rudy Mine biking and hiking trails. You can play a round of golf while being surrounded by thousands of color-changing trees, or you can hike the trails and explore the beauty of autumn beneath the canopy.
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Whether with family or by yourself, you can take a beautiful stroll through one of the prettiest places in Owensboro any time of the year, but there’s just something special about the autumn blooms and the color-changing leaves during fall.
St. Joseph Area/Highway 56
For those wanting a fun, fall drive in the country, head to the west side of Daviess County for one of the prettiest scenic routes you’ll ever take. Once you’re on Highway 56 you’ll be mesmerized by the rolling hills and bounty of yellow, orange and red trees lining the roads. You can even stop at Preservation Station to shop, or at The Cottage for a coffee and pastry!
Yellow Creek Park
A scenic park with walking trails, a lake, sports areas and a historical pioneer village with log cabins, Yellow Creek is just a super cool place to hang out in general. But for those who love the colors of fall, it’s got a huge variety of trees with some of the most vibrant color changes you’ll find anywhere in the country. This is another fantastic place to grab photos as you will be surrounded by fall foliage along almost any of the walking paths.
Legion Park
Located right in the heart of the city, Legion Park has 24 acres of some of the tallest and most beautiful trees in Owensboro. With a walking path that encircles the property and a brand new dog park to boot, visitors and locals alike can spot some of the city’s best-looking fall foliage at this beautiful and easily-accessible location.
Griffith Avenue/Dogwood-Azalea Path
Owensboro’s Griffith Avenue is a long street that runs through the middle of the city, and it’s filled with a variety of trees that turn shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and purple during fall. But don’t stop there. You can park on a side street and explore the entire Dogwood-Azalea neighborhood, which is filled with historic homes and so much beauty.
Rosehill-Elmwood Cemetery & Mausoleum
Elmwood is one of Owensboro’s many hidden gems, and the trees there are gorgeous year-round. Even better, the cemetery holds a ton of historical significance, so you can’t go wrong visiting Elmwood at any time of the year.
The Pearl Club
Located a little outside city limits, this is another great option to peep fall foliage with a short drive. But it’s worth it, as you’ll find one of the most beautiful golf courses in the midwest surrounded by rolling hills and gorgeous trees.