As the Foliage Turns – Episode 10: Early October Foliage Update
Hey everyone, Jeff Foliage here! Welcome to As the Foliage Turns, Episode 10. Hard to believe I’m already ten episodes in this season—I thought we’d still be in the early stages, but Mother Nature has kept me on the road. Since late August, I’ve driven over 1,500 miles chasing the colors across New England. That’s a lot earlier (and farther) than in ALL my past years.
Normally, I don’t start my official foliage reports until around September 25th. This year, however, conditions have pushed things forward. Between the drought stress and cooler temps, we’ve been seeing changes much earlier than usual. Let’s dive into what Lisa and I have found this week across New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and beyond.
OH! and Saturday through Tuesday are warmer than average for this time of year, just to make sure Jeff has no clue!
I want to let you know that I don’t run “in your face” ADs on this site (BUT… I do have affiliate Ads)
This doesn’t mean I don’t have costs. I have Website costs, hotels/Inns, gas, and of course, cider donuts and my pumpkin spice coffee’s all add up!
If you find what I do to be a service to your fall foliage planning then please think about supporting me in any of the following ways.
- Choose my artwork to put on your walls. Framed prints, canvas gallery wraps along with Home decor can be purchased securely from my online Art Gallery. Even small items like mugs, totes, or puzzles help me out and keep me going!!!
- Purchase via my affiliate links. you may see Amazon-linked products I own, or other affiliates to try out, they pay me a few pennies from your purchase.
- If you book your reservations from Expedia or Hotels.com from my links I also receive a little compensation.
- Purchase my yearly calendars. You have different calendars to choose from with New England images, Fall Foliage, Lighthouses, or covered bridges. This will allow you to explore New England from top to bottom in all seasons.
Want a more direct way? Become a patron by sending directly via my Patron Page. Here you can send via the secure form to Paypal with your debit or credit card. (no you don’t need a Paypal account)
Current Conditions – October 2, 2025
New Hampshire
Over the weekend, Lisa and I drove a loop through the western White Mountains. Unfortunately, it was disappointing—mostly browns and faded yellows. I made a few decent shots, but overall, not the color I hoped for. Everything looks dry and stressed.
On Monday, I explored alone while Lisa recovered from a cold (yes, I generously shared mine with her!). I stopped at Indian Head Resort on Route 3—if you’re looking for an inexpensive adventure, their seven-story observation tower only costs $1 to climb. From the top, you get sweeping views toward Lincoln and down Franconia Notch. The colors looked nice, but soft and muted—not the fiery tones we usually crave. Go to my YouTube channel and time stamp 5:17 to see if I survived the 7-story climb.
From there, I headed into Franconia Notch. Artist Bluff was crowded, but the hike is well worth it. It’s a beginner-friendly trail, and the payoff views are always spectacular. While the colors are still subdued, there are pops of red and gold worth seeing. This link will take you back to my YouTube Channel and time stamp 9:13 to find out more about Artist’s Bluff.
Vermont
From Franconia, I drove west through St. Johnsbury, Joe’s Pond, and Morrisville. The best foliage by far was inside Smuggler’s Notch—bright, solid color with plenty of pull-offs for photos. Outside of the notch, though, it was lackluster.
Later, Lisa and I explored Okemo State Forest near Ludlow, but sadly, the hillsides looked mostly brown and tired. The understory trees tended to be bright, but overall, not much to write home about.
Woodstock had some color, and the locust trees around the town common added their bright yellows to the mix. The oaks still look healthy, so perhaps later this month they’ll provide more drama. Just a heads-up: the Quechee Gorge bridge is down to one lane, so expect bottlenecks.
Photographer John Rowe says: Mt Pisgah this afternoon at Lake Willoughby. Most of the parking lots were packed.
Maine
Good news for foliage seekers—Maine seems to be shining! Reports from Height of Land near Rangeley and Quill Hill suggest strong color, some of the best in New England right now. If you’re up for the drive, Rangeley is a beautiful town with fantastic views around the lake.
Massachusetts & Beyond
It’s still too early for Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Expect real color later in October, closer to the 8th–15th. For now, only roadside color is showing along routes like the Mohawk Trail.
John Burk Photography says: In northern Massachusetts and the Monadnock region, colorful red maples continue at many ponds and wetlands. Many birch groves, which overall have been turning since late summer, are peaking now with high leaf drop; there are colorful spots in the woods. Sugar maples, affected by both rain and drought, are also rapidly dropping leaves.
Plan B Adventures
When the foliage isn’t delivering, I always recommend having “Plan B” stops in your back pocket. Covered bridges, small town festivals, and roadside attractions can fill the day with memorable experiences.
This week, I discovered three new covered bridges for my collection, including the Titcomb Bridge. Flying the drone over it provided a new perspective, even if the colors weren’t peak, they were very nice. Here is a link to watch a reel on my Instagram of the bridge.
Also, if you’re near Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, don’t miss the Groton Fall Festival this Saturday (7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.). Food, crafts, and small-town fun make it a perfect foliage Plan B.
And let’s not forget the ultimate Vermont treat: maple creemees. I grabbed one near Joe’s Pond, and as always, it was worth the stop!
Final Thoughts
This has been a tricky foliage season. Drought and early cold nights have muted the color in many places, leaving us with softer tones instead of blazing reds and oranges. Still, the views are breathtaking, the hikes are rewarding, and with a little patience, you can still find those magical moments.
If you’re planning trips for this weekend, I’d recommend:
- Smuggler’s Notch, VT – Best color I’ve seen so far.
- Rangeley, ME – Outstanding reports from Height of Land and Quill Hill.
- Northeast Kingdom, VT – Always a strong bet for early October.
As always, travel safely, be flexible, and have those Plan B stops ready. Even when the colors aren’t perfect, New England still delivers unforgettable views.
Until next time—have a wonderful fall foliage day!
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
Beautiful Jeff
thanks Mitch!
Hello, do you think there will still be colors in the berkshires on October 20?
Thats a good questions peak – NO, but fall colors, YES… Maybe not picture book but they will be there along with some bare trees…
thank you very much, do you think there are still places with peaks in New England around October 20? If yes, where?
Good question, if you figure it out let me know… 🙂
Central to southern VT/NH/ME and MA/CT/RI but it’s too far out right now. Thursday night is 26 degrees where I live and if widespread could bring down a lot of leaves… We have to wait and see. Or just come for the other wonderful this and IF you find great colors, enjoy them… No guarantees though
Jeff, do you think there will be much to see in White Mountain, Smugglers Notch, Woodstock Oct 10-13? I’m wondering if we should change plans to go south, but two out of four nights are already past free cancellation. Thanks!
There won’t be any of the normal fall foliage (peak) up north next weekend. I would canx and move BUT!!! for those two days I would pour over my posts and find some fun things to do. Take a train ride that you haven’t done before take a hike up Artists Bluff (before you say you’re too old). I’m 66 and out of shape, except round is a shape and I made it.
go on Route 3 to Clarks Bears…
Basically relax and find run things to do. Drive down to the Vermont Country Store…
Other than that try to enjoy yourself!!!
Hi Jeff – I live in London and have always wanted to see New England in Fall foliage season, but pressures of work and family make it very difficult to travel on holiday that time of year. This year I am going to be in Boston on week of 13th October, but as usual will to have spend my time in meetings. However I now have an unexpected afternoon free on 12th thanks to British Airways being terrible and changing my flight. My question is simple, is there anywhere in easy reach of the city that you think might be worth driving to for foliage viewing at that time? Or am I better off just taking what I can see in the city parks? Any advice greatly appreciated thanks!!
the city parks are nice, try the Arnold Arboretum, If you are of a mind, take a ride north to Concord MA. Quaint little town, We have a National Park there for the Minutemen in the little conflict where we threw your tea into the harbor… 🙂 and if you are into the poets, try Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson lay on authors ridge…
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for all your amazing posts. It looks like because of the drought; the fall colors are occurring sooner and more brown than normal. Originally My wife, son and I planned on going to Stowe and Franconia from Oct 17-20, but it sounds like colors will be well past peak by then. Do you imagine Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut will still be in peak, or slightly past peak? Or should we pivot all together?
Well 17 to 20th is kind of late for Franconia and Stowe, Maybe Woodstock VT and Conway NH. Today Mother Nature gave me another wake up call. I saw Beautiful colors or like at Twin Mtn, precolors ready to burst in the next 4-5 days. The Base Station Road looked really good and Route 2 and Route 113 on the Maine Border look like another 4-5 days that they will generate some nice color. Will it be a full mountain of Peak color? I don’t think so but it may surprise a lot of people who were ready to write off this fall (myself included) Watch for my next report
Beautiful colors today going up 201 to Bingham, ME. Strong oranges and reds in spots. Wyman Lake will be on fire with color in the next 7-10 days.
Boothbay, ME surprised me over the weekend with earlier colors than I was expecting.
Thanks Jordan, On Maine’s western edge (Route 113) it my pop by this weekend
Given three days of drive, would it make more sense to push to up North to smuggler’s notch, or try to push East towards Massachussets and Maine? (We are around Lebanon right now!)
In Massachusetts Report from John Burk: At Shelburne Falls before the storm/likely frost:
Rt 122 byway north end looks good, nice reds and ponds are peak reds
Erving has a bit of stress color and a few reds along the Millers River
French King Bridge view a bit of stress color
Shelburne/Colrain hills green/brown with very scattered color
NW and western Maine should be good this week, Route 113 was nice but not peak on the 6th. Central Vermont is hit or miss…