Vermont Fall Foliage Report – Northeast Kingdom & New England Updates (Sept 24, 2025)

Even with a slight cold, I hit the road yesterday—because peak fall foliage in Vermont waits for no one. This week’s trip took me through the Northeast Kingdom, where I found early but promising color. Along with my own travels, I’ve gathered the latest updates from trusted foliage spotters across New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

Also, make sure you go to the bottom for a late update

If you’re planning your leaf-peeping getaway for late September or early October, here’s what you need to know.

Vermont Foliage Update – 24 September 2025

We finally received a bit of rain, but not enough to erase the season-long drought. Here in the western White Mtns, I measured just two-tenths of an inch on Wednesday and 2 inches on Thursday—helpful, but far from a fix.

Temperatures: Days are in the 70s, while nights are in the 40s–50s. That will slow the pace of leaf change, giving travelers more time to catch peak color.
Frost: Last weekend brought the first frost of the season in parts of northern New England.
Storms: Tropical systems are active in the Atlantic, but so far, none look like a direct threat. Strong winds remain the biggest risk to this year’s foliage.

Scenic Drives in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom

I logged about 128 miles on 23 Sept heading across the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, exploring routes perfect for foliage road trips:

Route 25C → Route 10 → Route 25: Winding into Groton State Park, I stopped at Seyon Pond, where Adirondack chairs face water ringed with bright shoreline color.
Owl’s Head Trail: A short but steep hike (about 8 minutes if in shape and 12-15 if not, like me) to the famous Kettle Pond overlook. Fog kept the long views hidden, but standing in the clouds was unforgettable. View this video at time stamp 6:40 to see the trail up to the summit of Owls, Head Mtn.
Mack Mountain Road to Peacham: One of the prettiest country drives in Vermont. The iconic Peacham village view—church, barns, and rolling hills—was subdued this week, but roadside trees are already glowing. Expect peak around early October.

👉 Travel Tip: Don’t let fog or drizzle scare you away. Some of the most atmospheric foliage shots happen in soft light and mist.

John Rowe Photography

John, as a drone pilot, showed the progression over some northern Ponds

New Hampshire Fall Foliage Report

Contributor Matt DiMaio shared updates from the White Mountains: Kanc was amazing from Lincoln to the Sugar Hill overlook, but roadside only; everything was in the clouds, and I couldn’t get anything with the hills. Bear Notch Road was ok for about the first 2 miles on the Kanc side, but then I would say 90% green the rest of the way over to 302 in Bartlett. Lots of the greens are half green and half dried up brown, so not sure what’s going to happen there if much of anything.

Franconia Notch: Brilliant yellows are emerging, with reds and oranges still developing.
Crawford Notch: Already showing strong red and orange along the Zealand River. Expect peak color in the next week or two.

Best routes: Route 3, Route 110, Route 115, and Route 2. Don’t miss Pondicherry Wildlife Management Area for walking and photography.

If you are arriving the first week in October and want to stay in New Hampshire, here are April Bielefeldt’s suggestions

Maine Fall Foliage Update

Coastal Maine (Elizabeth Dow): Severe drought stress means patchy color, especially near Acadia National Park. Call ahead to rangers before visiting for real-time reports.
Northwestern Maine (Karen Reed): Around Eustis, Carrabassett Valley, and the Bigelow Range, trees are still mostly green. Expect color to arrive in early October.
Evans Notch (Route 113): Now fully open after construction closures. Still green but worth noting for the weeks ahead.

Massachusetts Foliage Report

John Burk Photography: From this end of New England (but close to NH), some nice red maple color is establishing in wet areas. A change in the weather pattern this week may slow things down for the short term

John Burk reports that ponds and wetland areas across Massachusetts are showing the strongest early color. Thanks to better rainfall, look for reflections of red and orange maples in water. The Berkshires are next on the watchlist.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage This Weekend (Sept 27–28, 2025)

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont – Backroads around Peacham, Danville, and Groton State Forest. Try Route 215 between Peacham and Danville VT and don’t miss Greenbank Hollow Covered Bridge.
Northern White Mountains, NH – Routes 2, 3, 110, and 115.
Crawford Notch, NH – Color is building quickly.
Southern New England Ponds – Early bursts of color around Massachusetts wetlands.

Before you go!!! This just in because my cold is clearing, and I took a drive!

I felt good enough to take a short drive over Route 118, (It has only one scenic outlook) and the Beaver Pond on Route 112 west of Woodstock.

The clouds with the afternoon light were perfect, and this weekend it should continue to be outstanding… But for how long will the leaves hold on…The Beaver Pond in New Hampshire’s western White Mountains is a stunning fall foliage destination. Nestled along Route 112 near Kinsman Notch, the pond offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains ablaze with autumn colors. During peak foliage season, vibrant reds, oranges, and golds reflect beautifully across the calm waters, making this spot a favorite for photographers, leaf peepers, and travelers exploring the scenic White Mountains. Whether you stop for a quick photo or linger to enjoy the peaceful setting, Beaver Pond is one of New Hampshire’s most picturesque fall foliage locations.

Final Thoughts on 2025 New England Fall Foliage

This season may not be perfect due to drought stress, but there’s still incredible beauty to discover. Whether it’s misty mornings at Owl’s Head, roadside brilliance in Peacham, or reflections in New England’s ponds, the color is worth the trip.

If you find these reports useful, you can support my work here:

📅 2025 Foliage Calendars: Lulu.com
🖼️ Fine Art Prints: Jeff Foliage Artwork

Explore work from fellow foliage photographers:

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.