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Foliage update June 2025 – New England — 88 Comments

  1. Hi Jeff. Great website. Stumbled on to this while searching about the NEK. We just moved to Stowe last year, from San Diego and getting “adjusted” (weather, rain, snow, constant cloudy days…). Looking forward to some landscape photography this year.

    • Yeah New England has it good and bad points. If you don’t like the weather, give it 5 minutes, it’ll change.
      So many beautiful areas and most of what is on my site is good all year round… Questions? you know where to find me

  2. Hi Jeff! Love your updates. I’m planning to visit Maine in Autumn 2025 and my dream is to be around for peak foliage colors.

    1. What is your guess for which weeks to see the best colors on the coast: specifically Belfast, and Bar Harbor?

    2. And should I hit one or the other first? Not sure if being north by an hour and being right on the water affect the colors.

    Thanks!

    • Belfast is much further up there so 10-15 Oct and Bar Harbor 15 to 25 Oct…
      Yes closeness to the water maters (delays) but further north sooner and further south later still applies

  3. Hi Jeff. Would you recommend a trip to New hampshire Oct 2-7 or 16-20 for best color? Thanks for your help!

  4. Hi!
    I love your site. So informative and helpful! We are planning a small family trip but it’s not until October 16-22nd. Do you feel the colors will still be vibrant and leaves still on trees around then or is that typically too late. We would be looking to stay near Woodstock, VT. Please let me know your thoughts!

  5. Hi! If we wanted to do a trip to Woodstock, Kancamagus Highway and end in kennebunkport, do you think starting in Woodstock October 10 is too late for peak foliage? Or should we start earlier in Woodstock like October 3 or 6?

  6. Hi! Thank you for all of your insight! Would you suggest Kennebunkport with day trips to NH October 11-19 or go October 18-25?

    • This is a tough one, I might try the earlier dates because I could but now that I live an hour or 2 further away, I might play it safe. look at what you really want to see. Remember along the coast there are more oaks and less maples and the fall colors come later. so “In General” I will say later…

    • I would try the 11-19 but this is mostly just a soft guess because the coast is so hard to call. It really depends on what the air temps do… But I feel you will enjoy these dates… Let me know when you get back.

  7. Jeff, Thanks for sharing your passion. I have to pick a week soon & live with it. I’m planning on starting in Boston & then hitting NH-Vermont- Gun to your head-what month/week would you choose? No pressure. haha

  8. Hi Jeff, This is a great site. I’m trying to determine dates to see the fall foliage. My options are Sept 28 – Oct 6 or Oct 8 – Oct 17. We are planning go to Conway NH, Northeast Kingdom, Smuggler’s Notch, and then to Camden Maine area. What dates would you recommend? Thanks

    • with those locations and dates… do the 8-17 and start in Smugg Notch and NEK (Northeast Kingdom) moving to Conway (always later) and then lastly Camden…

  9. Hi Jeff! Love your recommendations! We’re planning a trip through Upstate New York to Vermont (Stowe, Woodstock), possibly New Hampshire if there’s time. What dates would you recommend for good fall foliage but lesser crowds? Thank you!

  10. Hi Jeff! Love your site and am so appreciative of your insights! If we were to plan a fall trip the last weekend of Sept (26-28) where would you recommend we go for the best chances being on the early end? Thank you!

      • My husband and I just booked a trip where we will be flying into Boston September 29 and driving straight through to Waterbury or Stowe VT for a night. We plan on getting up early AM and driving around the area on September 30 and then down Kancamagus Hwy. to North Conway for one night. From there we would like to head to the coast in lower Maine and travel down back to Boston. We are flying back home on October 3rd. Should we reverse our trip starting with the coast first to ensure a better fall foliage on our drive through Stowe VT and Conway NH? Any recommendation would be of great value.

  11. Hi Jeff,

    Great New England source. Looking to spend 2 weeks in New England starting in Boston. We would like to include MA,NH,VT,CT and ME. Want some color but less crowds, which 2 week period would you suggest?

  12. Hi Jeff!
    I really enjoyed your article—it was such an insightful read! I’m currently planning a wedding for 2026 in Plymouth, NH, and we’re trying to lock in a date. Right now, we’re deciding between September 29th and October 9th.I know it’s still quite a ways off, but I’d love your thoughts: which of those dates do you think would be the safer bet for peak foliage and beautiful fall colors?
    Thanks so much in advance!
    Lexie Smith

  13. hi Jeff!
    I am Italian and would love this October to visit New England with its beautiful fall colors.
    I had thought about the dates from October 15 to the 25th, do you think it’s too late?
    In case I should maybe move up a week? Thank you very much

  14. I am a pastor taking a sabbatical for the month of September. Was planning a driving trip from Kansas City. Would I see any color the mid week of September (14-21 time frame?). I know if I pushed it off to the last week the chances would be better, but I would like a restful period (no driving, maybe sitting on a beach)before returning to work.

    • I think you should have good, comfortable weather during September. Even out in Kansas the Temps will have started to drop (or should have). The humidity in New England should be gone and the air will begin to get crisp, especially at night with lows in the 40s-50s. Depending on where you look will determine what your chances are. BUT! based on little driving and a beach residence I would say just pick a spot… Out on the Cape in Massachusetts, Along Rye Beach in New Hampshire, or Ogunquit/Camden Maine, you will find restful views, quiet gardens with autumn flowers putting on a fall show.
      But the beach views and fall colors don’t “usually” mix (The fall colors show at the shoreline in late Oct-Nov). You should see some color in marshy areas where bushes and trees have their feet in water (or nearly). I’m sorry I can’t give you a bit more hope but If you talk to your host, they may know of some spots to check out locally…
      Let me know what you find!

  15. Hello Jeff! Thank you for your website!
    My husband and I are planning to spend 7 days in New Hampshire and Vermont for the fall and it’s our first time here. We are looking for vibrant fall colors. What dates would you recommend approximately? Thank you for all you do 🙂

  16. Hi Jeff,
    This site is so helpful. I live in Georgia, and our schools have a week off in October for “Fall Break.” We would be flying up, probably to Boston, and renting a car specifically to travel around New England for leaf peeping and to experience all the quaint New England activities and culture with our kids, ages 6 and 9. We are not afraid of road tripping several hours in the car, and I am happy to stay one to two nights in a place and then move on in order to see as much as we can. Not only would I love your tips on places to go for color during that week, but also New England activities that are must-dos for families. Thanks!

  17. Hello! So thrilled I found this site! We are scheduled for North Woodstock October 13-15. Afterwards we head south into NY and PA, for a week. I’m getting the feeling we’ll be on the late side for peak color in the North Woodstock area. Even though it will likely be past peak maybe there will still be some nice color? If we trade a little less traffic for a little past peak maybe that’s ok? We’ll pick up more color heading south I guess. Do you think that’s an ok plan? I’m unable to change it at this point. Thanks so much!

    • Hi, you may want to put VT or NH depending on which state you are visiting… In other words both Vermont and New Hampshire have towns called Woodstock. BUT, luckily either one will look nice on those dates… Peak? that is anyone’s guess. In Woodstock Vermont last year on 31 Oct I was still finding pretty fall colors because when the maples start to go bare, the Oak trees begin to turn red… So, one person’s peak is another’s just gone by… but central NH or VT will look nice on those dates

  18. My husband and I have used your site to help plan our last 2 trips to New England in the fall – thank you for being such a great resource! We are working on this year’s plans. Due to work obligations we are going later than usual – planning for October 30th through November 6th. Thinking of flying in/out of Boston as it’s an easier airport for flying to/from the west coast, but currently flying in/out of Portland, ME would be a suitable option as well. We LOVE Portland and plan to spend a couple days there again this time around. But we are trying to decide another place or two to spend some time in and see some pretty fall color during the late time of year we will be going – especially along the coast. Do you have some recommendations you can share with us? We are in our mid 30s, no kids (yet), and enjoy both quiet towns where we can explore the outdoors more, as well as the bustle of cities with plenty to do and see. Thank you again for your amazing site!

    • Congrats on traveling while you are young… I was that way myself at one time… 🙂
      In Maine you have Ogunquit and Kennebunk (a short drive from Portland) In fact I would fly into portland and out of Boston. Salem will be winding down but you should still find it interesting but without so many people…
      Take a ride into Concord MA and maybe a drive along the Mohawk Trail and down into the Litchfield hills of CT (Connecticut) and the quiet corner (pomfret and Woodstock CT)
      Does this help?
      go to my Amazon store and pick up a Maine, Massachusetts, or Connecticut Gazetteer.

      • This does help, thank you! Since I left my comment, we have researched a little more. What are your thoughts on either Portsmouth, NH or Camden, ME? Or Providence, RI?

        • Camden and Portsmouth are beautiful towns and Providence is as well but you have to go through Massachusetts which is a traffic nightmare… This is why we moved out of Salem… Traffic and too peopley…

  19. Hi Jeff,

    We’re from Phoenix, AZ, and excited to experience New England’s fall colors for the first time. While we have beautiful aspens up north, we’ve heard the foliage in your region is unmatched!

    We’ll be in Boston from October 3–13 and would love your advice on the best route for peak foliage sightings. Also, should we book accommodations in advance, or is it feasible to reserve rooms as we go?

    Thanks so much for your help—I found your site while researching our trip and really appreciate your insights!

    Best,
    Mary and Joe

  20. Hi Jeff,

    How are you?

    I’m from Italy, and I’m looking for a great road trip around New England, obviously want to see the vibrant colours of fall in Vermont, so I was thinking to spend a days in NH and VT, driving across the kancamago, between 10-15 October, you think it’s a good choice or too late?

    Thank you in advance

    Ciao!

  21. Hi Jeff,

    This is a great article! We are planning to fly in from Chicago to Manchester on 3rd Oct. planning to visit flume gorge, artists bluff, and cog railway with the kids (3-6th) and then drive up to Stowe and Woodstock. Is this the right time for peak foliage or shall I move my tickets? Please let me know. Thank you so much.

  22. Hello Jeff. Your site is amazing! Was wondering if you can help sn Arizona girl out. I am surprising my husband with a 10 year anniversary trip to New England to do a road trip. We are big hikers and I LOVE fall so I really want to go as close to peak as I can. I am tentivley looking at Oct 9-18th.
    My plan is Day 1-3 do Bar Harbor, Maine so we can explore Acadia National Park.
    Then Sunday Oct 12th wake up and drive to New Hampshire to visit the White Mountains for nights 4-6. (Franconia Notch State Park and Kancamagus Hwy). Wed Oct 15th do Stowe, VT and Thursday Oct 16th Woodstock, VT. Last Oct 17th Salem, MA to finish off before we fly home the next day.
    Is this ok for “leaf peeping” and seeing the colors or should I reverse my order? I was told to start north and work my way down? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

  23. Hi Jeff,
    My husband and I are planning to come to New England Oct. 11-18. Can you please give us a couple different areas that you think would be best during that time to see peak fall colors?
    Thank you,
    Amy

  24. Hi Jeff! We love your website. We’re taking a trip, driving from Rochester, NY to Burlington, VT this fall. When would you guess peak foliage would be around Burlington? When might be the most beautiful t time for that drive? Thank you!!

  25. Hi Jeff, thanks for this incredible post with great insight. We are planning a trip either from Oct 1-6 or Oct 8-13 , landing in Boston, and planning to drive through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine . Which of those two periods will be better to visit to mainly experience the fall colors ?
    And any specific cities of highlight to drive via ? Like Stowe? Thank you once again for your time and reply!

  26. Hi Jeff, I wondered is it better to visit Stowe area or White mountains first if visiting from around 5th October? Or anywhere else you would recommend? Looking to end the trip in Boston.
    Thank you so much!

  27. Hi Jeff, I really appreciate the detail in your article! My wife and I have booked a weekend getaway to Vermont (Stowe/Waterbury) for October 24-27th. We did a little research before but I think we were misguided by the times that we see the peak colors in the Western NC mountains. We have time to make changes to our trip so I wanted to ask your thoughts. Do you think the Stowe VT area will be past it’s colorful period by that weekend in October?

    Thank you!

  28. My wedding is September 20th on top of Cranmore Mountain. I’m thinking this is 1-2 weeks too early for good color. But I would rather a green back drop than a brown or stick season one so I’m fine with this. Do you agree with my assessment that we will be early for any real color?

  29. Hi Jeff, thanks for the great post! My boyfriend has never been to New England before and we’re planning a weekend trip for this October. I want him to love the White Mountains as much as I do (I grew up spending summers with my grandparents there), and I keep going back and forth between October 3-6 and 10-13. Which dates do you think are a better bet to see the Whites in all their glory this year? For additional context, I’m hoping to stay near Jackson. Thank you so much for your help!

  30. Hi Jeff! Thanks for a great site. I’m planning a fall foliage trip for October 12th-17th. Where would you suggest as starting and ending locations? I would like to see rolling hills/mountains of fall color along the path.

    Also, I’m planning a second fall foliage trip for October 24th for 5 days. Given it’s on the late side of fall, where would you suggest for locations of fall foliage at that time? I’m wondering if I need to go further south into PA, VA, or TN?

    Thanks in advance!

    • I’ll start with the later first… I grew up in PA but never really looked for the fall colors in those places, but that said, The Smokey Mtns might be nice,,,
      (Also depending on the weather we receive over the next month or so Massachusetts (west-central) down into the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut “should” be nice at the time as well.
      As for 12-17, I might plan to be around Conway NH (I did a write up on the Kearsarge Inn) and you can use this as a central jumping off point to any and all color to the north in Franconia or Crawford Notches and the Kanc. You will also be able to hit the lakes region… Visit my locations by state and choose the state you want to visit.

        • Find Woodstock VT and I don’t want to say this year will be the same but…
          Here is 30 Oct 2024…
          Late October fall color in Woodstock Vermont

          Even though some trees may be done, the Oaks come later and can put on a show as well…
          But for 12-17 October the southern half of Vermont and anywhere close to Lake Champlain with or “should” have color during that time…

  31. Hi Jeff,
    Thanks for posting great blogs loaded with information!

    We have planned a 5 day trip to cover NH and Vermont. We arrive at Boston on 9th morning and drive to Vermont and NH. Is it better to drive the same day to Vermont/NH or start on 10th morning? I ask this considering the holiday weekend. In your experience does the traffic start to build up on Friday?

    • Friday can be nutz to drive north on any of the main arteries… (I-91, I-93, Route 16) I drove I-93 (ONCE and only once) on the Friday before (and NEVER again)
      If you are coming in on the 9th you would be good, BUT as I think about it… IF you leave Boston first thing in the morning, I think you will be ok (7-8AM) I won’t swear to that but I believe most of the traffic will build up after 2-3PM.
      You may have heavy go to work traffic but most of that will be going south to Boston and it won’t be to heavy… (knock on wood)!!!

  32. Hello Jeff,

    Great page, lots of tips. Many thanks for your hard work. I’m a landscape photographer from the Dominican Republic. First time traveling to New England. Based on your recommendations, I’m thinking of arriving to Boston on Sept. 29 at 6:30pm (I know, work traffic) and leaving 2 week later (Oct. 13). I know that you recommend to start north and then progressively move south. I’m planning to see mostly VT and NH. What is your itinerary recommendation for the best towns, mountains, highways notchs, mountain overlooks, lakes to photograph (drone + mirrorless camera)?

    Thanks!

  33. Hi Jeff! Thanks so much for your very helpful website! I am planning my first fall foliage trip, and I am so excited to see the colors and experience some of that lovely fall magic. Unfortunately with work I won’t be able to make it out until Oct 24-28. Planning on spending some time in Boston and Salem, but I am hoping for some advice on where to drive for some good views of the foliage. I am considering exploring other areas of Massachusetts or Connecticut or maybe southern NH? Would you be able to share any thoughts on what might be the best area to target in late October?

  34. Been reading your blog and got a few ideas from it already so thank you! I will be traveling early for fall foliage season (Sept 12-17) leaving from Boston and ending up in Burlington. Have lots of flexibility in between, any ideas for best chances of seeing some fall colors early in season?

    • A couple things “Might” work in your favor. Stress on the trees due to drought or at least not a lot of rain… Second, IF…I say again IF… the temperatures stay moderate to cool (the next 7 days are in the 70s for highs and mid-40s for lows up north and upper 50s in southern New England… If that continued and even dropped further once we get into September… Then you could see a bit more color 12-17 Sept.

      But the primary push for the changing colors is the amount of daylight and nothing you or I do or say will make this happen earlier.

      On 12 September 2012 I went up to Dixville Notch in New Hampshire and this is how much color I saw.early color in mid-September in Dixville Notch NH...

      Will you see this much color? Same location but last year (2024) with the drought we had and 19 September…
      19 Sept in Dixville Notch NH

      Normally we see this level of color between 25 Sept to 5 October… What you will see further south will be a lot more green…
      Here are two articles from last September and you can judge your chances…
      https://jeff-foliage.com/2024/09/27/fall-foliage-report-for-27-sept-2024/
      and
      https://jeff-foliage.com/2024/09/20/fall-foliage-report-20-sept-2024-early-color/

  35. Hi Jeff, thank you for your delightful website. Could you please share your opinion, do you think a trip to the Northeast Kingdom region from Oct 11 – Oct 15 this year will still have a good chance of seeing peak fall foliage in that region during those days, or will it be too late? Thanks again for your advice.

    • Its a tough one this year, my best images were taken closer to 7 Oct (and some earlier) I would say 5-12 October for Peacham…

      If you are locked in for those dates, a lot will depend on the current drought. If it continues the leases may drop quickly or worse… brown and down as someone posted… These could be very good dates of as the WX people are saying that mid to late Sept is warming up. This will slow down progression which will work good for you… At this point that is the best I can do…

  36. Hi Jeff, we’re planning a fall trip to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston. We’ll be landing in Boston on October 7 and leaving early morning on October 13. Do you think this timing is good for peak fall colors in New England, or would you suggest adjusting our dates?
    Right now, our plan is:
    Oct 7–9: Vermont and New Hampshire
    Oct 10–11: Maine
    Oct 12: Boston
    Do you think this is a good itinerary, or would you recommend rearranging the days? We’re also open to any suggestions you may have. Thank you so much!

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