NACOGDOCHES – Autumn may come to the Piney Woods a little later than most places, but the kaleidoscope of color it brings is well worth the wait.

With its rolling hills and towering forests, the region is home to the most beautiful and scenic fall foliage in Texas. The changing palette of black gums, sweet gums, hickories, oaks and sugar maples take center stage around mid-November. The scarlet reds and brilliant golds of these deciduous trees offer a stunning contrast to the tall dark pines the Piney Woods is known for. This resplendent autumn display can be seen through the end of November.

“The cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage make this one of the best times of the year to explore Nacogdoches County and the surrounding areas,” said Jannette Sparks, Marketing Director for the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Fall foliage can be viewed along numerous highways in the Piney Woods, including the three major routes through Nacogdoches: U.S. Hwy. 59, State Hwy. 21 and State Hwy. 7. Maps of these scenic driving routes are available at the Nacogdoches Visitor Center, 200 E. Main, or may be downloaded at www.visitnacogdoches.org.

Another must-see for fall color is the Ruby M. Mize Garden in Nacogdoches. The garden is known as the largest Azalea garden in the state of Texas, but during the fall, the Camellias and Japanese maples are the main attraction. From the fall-blooming Camellia sasanqua to the C. Japonica, as well as rare species from Southeast Asia, the over 300 cultivars of Camellias featured in the garden offer a beautiful display of abundant showy flowers and attractive glossy foliage. The 200 plus varieties of Japanese maples create focal points throughout the garden with their unrivaled vibrant color. Visitors may take a self-guided tour by picking up a map of the garden at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main. To schedule a guided tour, please contact SFA Gardens at sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

For more information about fall foliage in the Piney Woods or other fall events, please contact the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDEST-TOWN or visit us online at www.visitnacogdoches.org.