Leaf peeping

Fall foliage seen on thousands of trees in Vermont

Leaf peeping is a popular autumn activity in New England.

Leaf peeping, fall color tourism, or simply fall tourism is the activity in which people travel to observe and photograph the fall foliage in autumn. The term comes from the United States, having been first mentioned in 1966. Although the activity is prominent in the United States, where it is considered one of the most popular autumn activities, it is also present in other cultures, such as in Japan, where it is known as momijigari and has been practiced since the Heian period.

In the United States, leaf peeping is popular in New England and New York, where it has significantly affected regional autumn tourist activities, which have in return boosted local economies. New England states have also competed in leaf peeping tourism by launching advertisements and offering low-cost lodging. Some state parks have also introduced viewfinders for red-green colorblind people to allow them to view fall foliage. Leaf peeping has been negatively affected by climate change and weather occurrences, such as wildfires and hurricanes.

Terminology

The term leaf peeping is commonly referred to as an activity in which people travel to view and photograph the fall foliage during autumn, when leaves change colors. The term originates from the United States. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its first usage appeared in 1966 in the Bennington Banner newspaper. Leaf peeping is alternatively known as fall color tourism or simply fall tourism. Journalist Devin Gordon of GQ criticized the term leaf peeping, saying that it sounds filthy and humiliating, "like I've never seen red or yellow before". Writing for NPR, biologist David George Haskell considers the term peep inappropriate in regards to fall foliage due to its definition and peep shows. He proposed leaf wonder or autumnal awe as replacement terms.

Ruskaretki (admiring fall colors) is an activity in Finland in which people travel to see fall foliage; in Japan, a similar activity is known as momijigari (hunting autumn leaves). In South Korea, leaf peeping is known as dan pung ku gyeong (purposeful look at the changing colors of leaves) and in China it is known as shangye (reward/appreciation of leaves).

History

Japan

Two people walking on a road while looking at trees full of orange leaves

Leaf peeping (momijigari) as an activity in Japan dates back to the Heian period

Fall foliage in Japan usually occurs from late October to early December. Leaf peeping in Japan has been a tradition since the Heian period; Anna Selby of The Daily Telegraph wrote that leaf peeping "is a concept embedded deep within Japanese culture", citing Shinto and Zen as examples. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the activity had become widely popular in the 18th century. Ginkgo, zelkova serrata, and chestnut trees are popular for leaf peeping in Japan.

Selby wrote that leaf peeping is considered to be popular around the Kyoto area, while the JNTO wrote that Miyajima Island is a "fan [favorite]" destination for leaf peeping. Canadian blogger La Carmina has listed Tōfuku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, the Japanese Alps, and Daisetsuzan National Park as popular leaf peeping locations. The National Geographic covered a story about leaf peeping in Kyoto in September 2023.

United States

Fall foliage in the United States occurs from September to early November, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Prominent leaf peeping locations in the United States are in New England and New York. The Appalachian Mountains in New England particularly have temperate forests, while in the Western United States, aspen tree species are popular for leaf peeping.

The National Park Service claims that leaf peeping is one of the most popular autumn activities, while in New England its popularity is mainly attributed to forests being in close proximity to locations with high population. Considered a niche market, leaf peeping tourism has affected the economy of the United States, particularly the states in New England and New York, with New England states receiving approximately US$8 billion annually in revenue from tourist activities. The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development also reported that the state receives approximately Template:Currency from leaf peeping tourist activities, an increase from Template:Currency in 2009. New England state governments have promoted leaf peeping tourism, and have also competed by launching advertisements targeted at tourists and offering low-cost lodging in hotels and inns.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation introduced viewfinders for red-green colorblind people at its state parks in 2024 to allow them to leaf peep the foliage. Ethan Howes, a red-green colorblind Natural Tunnel State Park ranger, created the plan after being inspired by viewfinders in Tennessee, which were installed in 2017 at the Great Smoky Mountains. The New York Times reported that similar viewfinders for leaf peeping were introduced at locations in Georgia, Florida, and Oregon.

Climate change and weather occurrences, such as wildfires and floods, have negatively impacted leaf peeping activities due to leaves withering early and pests increasing in quantity. Hurricanes have also had an impact on leaf peeping activities by harming trees. Patrick Whittle of Associated Press wrote that a potential decrease in leaf peeping tourism could, in return, leave an impact on the economy of New England states. Hurricane Helene was cited as an example of a cause that negatively impacted leaf peeping activities. Leaf peeping tourists in Vermont were criticized by locals due to trespassing on private property and jamming the traffic.

Other countries

A forest during fall and a green trash can

The Forest of Dean during fall.

Leaf peeping activities were popularized in other countries, including Ireland, such as around Lough Eske. According to naturalist Ed Drewitt, the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a popular tourist spot for leaf peeping in the United Kingdom. He noted that during autumn, leaves become "burnt brown/orange" in the region. Writing for British Vogue, Hayley Maitland listed Winkworth Arboretum, Cliveden, Stourhead, and Ashdown Forest as popular locations for leaf peeping near the London area.

Sources

Journals

News articles

Websites

External links

• by SmokyMountains.com
• by the Old Farmer's Almanac
• by the Japan Meteorological Corporation