As almost any rider will attest, fall is one the most beautiful and refreshing times of the year for a motorcycle ride. The air is crisp and clear, the temperatures are cool but not uncomfortable, and the leaves begin to change color, producing spectacular scenery and unforgettable memories. Although October is the peak month for fall color in most of the nation, there are still plenty of great opportunities to catch the changing leaves during the later season. Here are some inside tips on some of the best rides to see fall color in October and November.

What to Know About the Science of Changing Leaf Colors

The timing of fall leaf color changes is an inexact science based on many variables. These include the various pigments in the leaves of certain species, the length of nights and environmental influences like temperature, rainfall, sunlight. Of course, some of these weather variables are affected by the climates and microclimates of certain geographies, such as elevation, proximity to water, etc. Generally, in the United States, the further south and nearer to the coast you are, the better your chances of seeing colorful foliage in October and November. But again, there are multiple factors involved, so nothing is guaranteed.

A run of warm, sunny days and cool, but not freezing nights seems to produce the most spectacular color displays. While rain is beneficial earlier in the season, too much rain late in the season means increased cloudiness, less sun and more muted colors. A significant amount of rain in fall accompanied by strong winds can cause many leaves to fall prematurely.

Plan Your Trip Using a Fall Foliage Prediction Map

The best bet if you’re planning to go touring is always to check out reports for the areas you are interested in. These are often available on the websites of nearby state and national parks or by a simple Google search. The Smoky Mountains National Park website provides an outstanding, interactive Annual National Fall Foliage Prediction Map that is an excellent visual planning guide for assessing your best opportunity to see fall color on a month-by month basis. Here, you will be able to see if you can expect no change, minimal change, patchy, partial, near peak, peak or past peak leaf color in the areas where you plan to ride.

The Best Rides to See Fall Color in November

In the month of November, there are multiple places around the United States where you can be reasonably assured of seeing beautiful fall colors due in large parts to their geographical locations, typical weather patterns and species of trees.

During late fall, Kansas and Missouri experience peak foliage in many areas, including Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where riders can soak in relaxing views cruising the highways and byways stretching along hundreds of miles of shoreline. While the brightly colored oak, ash, maple, and hickory trees offer magnificent backdrops here, for even more breathtaking views, ride on up higher into the Ozark mountains.

In the Southwest United States, both New Mexico and Arizona offer excellent opportunities to catch late season fall color, especially in their southern regions. In New Mexico, the Sunspot Scenic Byway in the Sacramento Mountains and Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway in the Gila National Forest offer some of the most beautiful and colorful scenic rides.

In Arizona, check out the areas around Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Located just an hour from Phoenix, this area sits at only 2,431 feet elevation, meaning its explosion of red, yellow and orange colors from an eclectic mix of walnut, sycamore, soapberry, cottonwood, willows, ash, and alder trees don’t happen until mid-to-late November.

Of course, many of your best bets for fall color rides will be in the lower-elevation areas of the south in the areas from Florida to Texas, including Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

In Texas, gear up and hit the Instagram-worthy roads around Lost Maples State Natural Area and Garner State Park, where walnut, sycamore, redbud, cypress, juniper, pecan and red oak, among others create a beautiful color palette. In Louisiana, consider touring the 6,000 acres of woodlands in the Kisatchie National Forest or North Toledo Bend State Park. In southern Alabama, don’t miss the areas around Dothan near the Alabama/Georgia line and Landmark Park. Mississippi offers stunning fall colors through early November. A ride along the 41-mile Longleaf Trace Trail, created from an abandoned railroad line in Hattiesburg is an outstanding option.

And yes– you can even find late season fall color in sunny Florida! How? By simply cruising north and west. Check out the drive along 1-75 from Tampa north to Lake City where a mix of red maple, dogwood, sugarberry, persimmon, cypress, and sassafras trees provide surprising fall color in November. Heading west on I-10 is a great late fall touring corridor, and the Florida Panhandle region near Torreya State Park with its rolling hills and bluffs along the Apalachicola River, is also a great option for some of the best fall color in the state.

So, if you’re in need of a fall color fix in October or November and itching to hit the road for some fantastic touring, just check out some of these areas, and get ready to start making memories!