Published August 28, 2025 04:00AM

The 9NEWS Weather Impact Team in Denver, Colorado reported that leaves are already turning yellow, orange, and red in the western half of the state. The transformation is linked to statewide drought, caused by a weak snowpack during the 2024/25 winter, and insufficient summer rainfall.

But it’s not just that color change is prematurely happening.

“Trees are experiencing stress,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist, Tom Kines, told Outside. There’s another dynamic at play with trees that Kines also shared.

What We’re Missing

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, the natural process of color change occurs. Trees are sent signals to slow down on their production of chlorophyll and vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red emerge.

Drought conditions such as high heat and less rain fall deprive leaves of the moisture needed to produce chlorophyll that keeps them green. Soaring temperatures and drought also sends trees into stress, dulling the experience of fall foliage.

“The leaves are turning colors too quickly,”Kines said. “They are not as bright or vivid as they would be.”

Current reports of early fall foliage are that the colors are less vibrant than in other years. Areas experiencing drought-like conditions, may see a less impressive fall.

Drought Happens Often. What’s Different This Year?

“In New England, a lot of those areas, while it’s been dry recently, they have received enough rainfall that their colors should be okay,” Kines said. For Western states, it’s a different story.

Kines also said that the timing and brilliance of foliage depends on when it rains. “If you have dry weather in the early part of the summer and rain second half, it will balance out things,” Kines said.

That checks out. In the Pacific Northwest where I am based, we’re used to high heat in June, this year it came later in the season. Excessive heat warnings have been issued across the Pacific Northwest as we end August. Washington and Oregon are still breaking 100 degree Fahrenheit.

This was the summer of outside. I’ve always loved gathering in the backyard, but this year I wanted to go all in on creating a space that wasn’t just pretty for one dinner party but functional every day. A place to cool off, cook meals, rest, host friends, regulate my nervous system, and enjoy time outdoors alone or with people I love.

I bought my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, four years ago and began gutting the entire thing. Every wall, every floorboard, every outdated system—ripped out and redone. It’s been a labor of love that often stole weekends from the mountains and ski days from the calendar. I spent more Saturday mornings than I care to admit pulling rusted nails from ceiling stringers or insulating the attic on 104-degree August days when I should’ve been on a river trip.

And for years, the backyard sat neglected. A patch of dead grass. No shade, no seating, no charm. But eventually, after spray-painting hand-me-down patio chairs, collecting potted plants from Buy Nothing groups, and wishing I had more reasons to linger outside, I turned my attention to the last blank canvas of my home.

I approached it the same way I approach planning or packing for any big outdoor objective: start with a clear goal, prioritize what adds value, and leave out the rest. Plus, make sure there are good snacks and cold beer involved.

My goals for the space were simple:

• Easy access to fresh air on days I’m chained to my laptop
• A low-stress outdoor hang zone where friends can drop by without a big production in the group text
• Micro-adventure vibes—the feeling you get on a camping trip, minus the packing list

Bit by bit, I turned the yard into a place I actually wanted to be. I invested in a few big-ticket items I knew I’d use for years—like the sauna and cold plunge—but I also DIY’d where I could, thrifted patio furniture, and waited for sales. It didn’t happen all at once, and it didn’t have to be perfect.

You also don’t need to replicate my to-do list (or have the same square footage) to feel the payoff. Maybe you start with a $12 citronella candle and pop up your camp chair in a shady spot of the driveway. Maybe you hang a string of solar lights or drag your old camp table onto the porch. The point is to create a space that invites you outside today, not “someday,” especially on days when you can’t go much further than your own backyard.

Below, you’ll find the gear that moved the needle most for me, plus why it earns its keep, who it’s best for, and what to try if you’re working with a different budget or space. Mix, match, upcycle, or scale way down. Either way, the goal is the same: more sun on your skin, less time on your phone, and a backyard (or stoop, or patio) that feels like the easiest adventure you’ll take all week.

Addlon Solar String Lights ($25 for 48 Feet)

If you do nothing else to your backyard, start here. String up solar lights and boom—you’ve created ambiance. These are bright enough to illuminate a whole hangout zone and cute enough to feel intentional without being fussy, and they can go up anywhere thanks to the solar panel. No wiring needed.

They’re easy to install and look great, especially at night. So far, mine have held up great, but I will likely store them inside during the winter to cut down on exposure and weather.

Buy Now

Purple Leaf Cantilever Umbrella ($478)

If you want to spend a lot of time outside in a space that doesn’t get natural shade, this is one of those upgrades that makes your whole setup more livable. I picked mine up used on a local marketplace to save some cash, but even if you have to buy one new, it’s worth every penny.

The 10×10-foot canopy casts a huge swath of shade, which is enough to cover a dining table, a pair of lounge chairs and a couch, or a full corner of your deck. The double-top design helps with airflow (so it doesn’t become a sail in the wind), and the UV-resistant fabric hasn’t faded, even after long, hot days of use. My favorite part: The 360-degree rotation and adjustable height/tilt. I can shift it throughout the day without dragging furniture around. It’s a splurge. But it’s also the difference between staying outside for 30 minutes or staying out all day.

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Solo Stove Bonfire ($329)

I wanted a fire pit that felt permanent enough to anchor my backyard, but still portable enough to toss in the car for a weekend trip. The Bonfire hits that perfect middle ground. At just over 23 pounds, I can move it easily, but four or five people can still gather around for s’mores, full moon gazing, or post-dinner wine. Setup is easy, and cleanup is even easier (the removable ash pan is clutch).

Solo Stove makes a range of sizes depending on your space. The Bonfire sits right in the middle. I also added the tabletop-sized Mesa to the mix, which brings just the right amount of glow and ambiance to the patio table.

Buy Now

Soundboks Go Bluetooth Speaker ($799)

This is not your cute little travel speaker. This is the speaker you bring out when you’re ready to turn post-ride beers into a Saturday night party. The sound is loud, rich, and absurdly crisp—even outside, even when there’s background noise, even when you’re standing on the far edge of the yard. It connects via Bluetooth, holds a charge that lasts all day (and into the dance party with a 40-hour charge), and can be paired with additional speakers if you want to go full block party mode. I use it for everything from mellow workday playlists to spontaneous backyard dance breaks. Pro tip: Start with Caamp or Brandi Carlile. End with 50 Cent.