17 Sept 2025 Fall Foliage update
As the Foliage Turns – September 17, 2025 Fall Foliage Report
Greetings, friends! I’m Jeff Foliage, and this is episode seven of As the Foliage Turns. Today’s update covers three things: the ongoing drought, my trip through Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom on September 16th, and foliage reports I’ve received from around New England. Finally, I’ll share some routes that should be worth exploring this coming weekend.
Drought Conditions
Unfortunately, the drought hasn’t improved. The official report comes out tomorrow, but I expect it will show continued extreme conditions in the northwestern White Mountains. Even steady rainfall now wouldn’t reverse the stress the trees are under. The leaves will react as they must, and all we can do is set realistic expectations and stay flexible in our travels.
Both images above are in the same park and 100 ft apart… The leaves falling from the fully leafed tree were coming down brown.
I’ll share the updated drought map on my Facebook page, New England Fall Foliage, as soon as it’s available. See it here.
Travels Through the Northeast Kingdom
On the 16th, Lisa and I headed west from New Hampshire on Routes 25C and 25A, crossing between the two on dirt roads (which tested Lisa’s patience a bit). Eventually, we crossed into Vermont, picked up Route 5, and followed the Connecticut River north.
Route 5 tends to run late with color, and that held true — very little foliage change so far. We stopped in Newbury, Vermont, at the Newbury Village Store — a wonderful little spot for sandwiches, snacks, and a picnic with a view. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
From there we continued north toward St. Johnsbury. The colors improved slightly, but still not much overall. In Lyndonville, we stopped at a small roadside park, enjoyed our lunch, and admired a brilliant orange tree — right next to another that was nearly bare. That contrast sums up this season so far: isolated bursts of beauty alongside trees that are stressed or stripped. They are seen above as well.
If you would like to see a very short video of the two trees in the park, go to my YouTube podcast for this Report and go to timestamp 4:50 (it’s a long in-depth video)
Further north, we took Route 114 through Island Pond. It’s a charming lakeside town with kayaking and outdoor opportunities, but foliage there is also running late — likely due to the moderating effect of the water temperature on the local area.
Continuing east, we visited the Stone Dam near the Silvio O. Conte Wildlife Management Area on Route 105. The roadside colors there were vibrant, with deep reds glowing in the sunlight. That stretch usually peaks early, so if you plan to visit, don’t wait much past the beginning of October.
We eventually looped back south on Route 102, stopping at the Guildhall Gristmill. Typically, this area peaks in early October, but the pond by the mill has dried up due to drought, leaving only cattails. It’s a reminder of how conditions this year are affecting both the foliage and the landscapes.
Our trip ended with a drive back through Lancaster, New Hampshire, and down Route 3. I had hoped to stop at Weeks State Park, but it’s only open Wednesday through Sunday — so keep that in mind if you’re planning a visit.
All told, we covered about 225 miles, and while not every stop offered spectacular color, the day still gave us those classic glimpses of autumn beauty.
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Reports from Around New England
Massachusetts
Massachusetts (North Quabbin & Northern Pioneer Valley)
John Burke reports disappointing conditions: too much rain has led to “brown and down.” Some color may develop along Route 2 (the Mohawk Trail) by early October.
New Hampshire
White Mountains, NH
Chris Whitten of White Mountain Images walked to Cherry Pond at Pondicherry. It’s always a scenic spot, with the first hints of color just starting to show. Expect better foliage around October 1st.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Mark Spremulli Photography notes very early roadside hints of color in Burrillville, Glocester, and Scituate. Full change won’t arrive until mid-October.
Where to Drive This Weekend (Sept. 20–21)
While the peak fall color isn’t here yet, there are still rewarding drives:
- Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) — between Lincoln and Conway. Not peak yet, but promising.
- Crawford Notch (Route 302) — looking better each week.
- Mount Washington — take the Cog Railway or drive up for sweeping views.
- Conway Scenic Railroad — a relaxing way to take in the season.
- Northern NH & Maine — Route 16 toward Errol, or into Maine’s Eustis and Greenville areas, where early colors are starting.
- Dixville Notch — always worth a look for dramatic scenery.
Remember: there is no peak anywhere yet. The best color is still ahead, likely arriving late September into early October.
Final Thoughts
This season is shaping up to be a patchwork — glorious bursts of color in some spots, bare branches in others. That’s the reality of a fall in a drought year. My advice: keep expectations flexible, enjoy the drives, and celebrate the trees that are putting on a show.
Safe travels, and may your autumn adventures be colorful!
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
Hey Jeff, I’m getting married in Lovell, Maine on September 27th. What is your prediction for how leaves will be looking that weekend?
Hi Jeff:
As always thank you for your reports and insights. We’re arriving in Bartlett on 10/15 and it looks like it will be well past pine this year but that’s as early as I can get there! I will still enjoy my time as I love the area!
Interesting that both drought and too much rain can lead to “brown and down,” per your MA reporter’s comment.
Thanks for the update!
It depends on the tree, in this case I was referring to the birch trees. (Not a scientist answer) but they seem to be sensitive to too much rain or too little… Another Yellow that is starting to take a hit is the BLD or Beech Leaf Disease. (Google says this): Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) is a new, devastating disease threatening beech trees, caused by a microscopic roundworm (nematode) that feeds on leaf buds. Symptoms include dark, leathery stripes between leaf veins, wrinkled or shriveled leaves, and a thinning canopy. While treatment options like tree injections are being explored for individual trees, there’s no known way to prevent its spread, and the disease has a high mortality rate for affected trees, especially young ones.
Basically I have been saying for 20 years that balance in all things makes the world a better place and especially with our fall colors… Not too hot or cold and not too wet or dry… But we have to work with what we have and this year it will be less than optimal
I drove up to Crawford Notch yesterday and while the hills around Bretton Woods had some promising color, the Notch itself had very little. Mostly some yellows and just few trees with red and orange.
Thanks Will I thought by this weekend it would have been better… I really don’t know what Mother Nature is waiting for… An Engraved Invitation??? Dixville Notch wasn’t much better… you can check the report I just made https://youtu.be/SOQMddtj1uw?si=nVbIFmWHplfXtz3A
If you have any more reports let me know!
Do you think it will be too late to see much color the week of Oct 13?
For this question to be valid, you would have to say WHERE you are going… So my answer is yes of course you will, it all depends on where you go
Hi Jeff, what do think about this plan. Me and my wife are first timers to the New England leaf peeping. We will driving from MI. We are little flexible with the dates if you think we have better chance.
Smugglers Notch, 10/11
Lake Willoughby & Stowe, 10/12
NEK,10/13
Burke Mt, 10/14
White Mt, 10/15
Rangeley Lakes 10/16
Acadia 10/17
Rangeley may be done by this date and Acadia may not have great fall colors, I would check the National Park folks and see what they tell you. You can watch my just released video Podcast on YouTube. https://youtu.be/kuEsJwrSEQ4
A lot of the rest will depend on what kinds of weather we receive over the next few weeks…
I hope this helps
Hi Jeff,
I’ve seen many websites reporting that the fall colors on White Mountain in NH will peak this weekend. I was planning to visit between October 6-8 and was thinking of going to the Kanc and Green Mountains. In your opinion, should we change our plans, or do you think we’ll still see fall colors during the 6th to 8th?
I really appreciate your passion and dedication in doing this ! 🙂
I travelled from New Hampshire to Vermont yesterday (23 Sept) and while it was very pretty at no time was it peak.
If I was careful I could frame my shot and make you think it was peak
for every one above that appears Peak… I can show you 5 of these
This does not mean that a storm won’t come through and take it all down and it doesn’t mean there are not a few peak areas I have not witnessed yet…
I’ve said this a million times, There is no light switch that turns all the leaves on at the same time… And only a wind\rain storm and time will dim and turn off the colors as well…
Thanks !!
Hoping for the best 🙂
Jeff,
Based on the information on your website and videos I have planned our visit to move from north to south.
10/2-6 Wheelock(NEK),VT, 10/7-13, Bristol(Mad River Valley),VT, and 10/14-16 Manchester, VT. Does this plan seem reasonable given what you’re seeing? Long range forecast looks cool and dry for this period after your current weather moves through. If you know of any particular “do not miss” sites in these areas let me know. I’ll continue to follow your great “scouting” trip reports. Thanks for all your great information!
Rick