We're seeing a fabulous fall foliage display throughout the state right now, with all stages of color present. Even in regions that have peak color, there are many green leaves still yet to turn. As long as heavy rains and wind are kept at bay, we expect excellent color, vibrancy, and variety to continue through the next couple weeks, with the upcoming weekend hovering around peak conditions for much of the state. Keep checking back here as we continue to gather information from our "Leaf Squad" to report foliage conditions throughout the state!
The "Current Conditions" map provides an approximate view of the current foliage color in Vermont, based on the reports we receive.
Foliage color generally starts to change in the higher, cooler areas of the Green Mountains, spreading down into the Lake Champlain Valley and Connecticut River Valley, and moving from north to south across the state. The exact timing of the color change varies from year to year.
For more info on current conditions, call Vermont's Seasonal Hotline at (802)828-3239 ... and tell them Vermont.com sent you!
"Holy foli-moly! After a classic autumn weekend, we're finally hitting peak here at Smugglers' Notch. Although today is a rainy day, the filtered light is helping to highlight some of the more robust reds and oranges out there on the mountainsides. Beautiful sunny weather is expected this week, so head on up for some of the best views around!"
-- Mike Chait, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT
"The sugar maples are showing their color. We haven't hit peak yet but beautiful colors are slowly popping up around the Resort and the Jeffersonville area.
This weekend stay and visit Smugglers' Notch Distillery for their Harvest Festival on Saturday October 5, 2 pm to 6 pm in Jeffersonville."
-- Jessica Bonath, Sterling Ridge Resort, Jeffersonville, VT
"The past few days up here in Burlington have been a little chilly and very rainy. This morning when I went outside, I could even see my breath. Color continues to slowly and steadily infiltrate Burlington, and with the more seasonal weather I'm anticipating more color soon. Some trees have already turned all the way yellow, others are still in the process, and some have yet to turn. A walk along the path in Waterfront Park captured this effect quite nicely."
-- Shea Lincourt, Burlington, VT
"WOW have the colors began to pop here in the champlain valley & eastern Rutland County! We have been touring many back roads as we hit many bodies of water on our fishing trips! What a way to see the foliage from on the water! Route 53 around Lake Dunmore is really getting good, as is route 30 from Sudbury down to Castleton! Brandon Gap going over route 73 to Rochester should hit peak in about a week, the trip up to Chittenden Res is worth the ride as the Green Mountain spine wraps around this stunning body of water! Its here folks...this is the time to see Vermont's ridges on fire!!"
-- Capt. Matt Trombley, 3rd Alarm Charters, Proctor, VT
"Tuesday brings sun to illuminate the gold on the mountains in the coming days, and we are ramping up for a busy weekend, kicking off with our Forgotten Grapes Wine Dinner on Friday night, October 11, at 6:30. This one-night-only event features unusual wines made from lesser-known varietals, paired with a seasonal five-course chef's menu of poached pear salad, clams and fettuccine, sausage stuffed quail, venison, and apple & plum gallette. See the pairings here. We love showing everyone the incredible autumn beauty right from our dining room and suites! Call for dining reservations or accommodations."
-- Carol Ryan, Red Clover Inn & Restaurant, Mendon, VT
"We're Peaking! Effervescent color abounds at Stratton. Rich oranges, deep reds, and magnificent yellows are on full display. Inspiring views are best observed from the Summit Deck, the Golf Course, or the Base Area. With the temperatures appropriate for early October, foliage will be top notch for this weekend's Harvest Fest! Test your skills in the Keg toss, delight your taste buds with homemade chili and crafts brew from around New England. Adventure seekers take your final laps on our freshly handcrafted mountain bike park before it closes for the season. Music lovers enjoy the grooves of the Indigo Girls and leaf peepers can peep to their hearts content. For a full list of activities by day, check out our blog. See this week, because these leaves and events are not to be missed!"
-- Luke Robins, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville, VT
"We had a nice break from the heat over the weekend and it finally feels like fall in Southern Vermont. I was able to take my daughter up Magic Mountain on Saturday, to see how the foliage colors have progressed from the last time we went up and the view was absolutely stunning. I thought it would be cold on the mountain, but with a beautiful sunny day and no clouds in sight, we couldn't have asked for better weather.
If you're not sure when to come see the beautiful colors - NOW IS THE TIME! I'd say we're at peak right now, and hopefully the weather will be good enough to keep the colors around for a couple more weeks. I'm hoping to go back up Magic next week, and maybe the following week, to keep tabs on the foliage progression - wish us luck!"
-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT
"This autumnal season is colorful and fruitful! The trees are aglow with bright yellows, oranges, and purples. The evenings are getting nippy enough to warrant wearing a sweater or light jacket. Apple season is going strong through October with varieties of the crisp fruit at the local orchards waiting for you to pick right off the trees. Harvest your own pumpkins for Halloween Jack 'O' Lanterns and Thanksgiving pies.
Fall is celebrated at the Manchester View with the impressive seasonal landscape that includes many seasonal flowers, hardy plants, and pumpkins. We, at the Manchester View, hope you can make the trip to southern Vermont. If you do, make 'The View' your home-away-from-home in Vermont!"
-- Robin, Manchester View, Manchester, VT
A great place to stop while you're Leaf Peeping in Southern Vermont, is the Dutton Berry Farm Stands. Well known for their Vermont grown produce including farmer-grown fruits and vegetables, cider, maple syrup, plants, and other unique local products, the Dutton Berry Farmstands offer a cornucopia of great-tasting Vermont produce and products. Located on Route 11/30 in Manchester, Route 30 in Newfane, and Route 9 in West Brattleboro.
"Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is reaching near-peak and even true peak foliage conditions, as color reaches its maximum intensity across the highest concentration of trees in some areas. That said, the season is progressing nicely throughout Vermont, thanks in part to classic autumn conditions forecasters called for to usher in resplendent color, with early hints of overnight frost increasing vibrancy.
While isolated swaths of color and individual standout trees were among the most noteworthy foliage features in recent weeks, entire hillsides are now brightening, showcasing our forested topography with symphonies of red, yellow, and orange popping alongside the remaining shades of green.
Best Bets for Color This Week: With the potential for rain showers over the next few days, this is a great week to view the leaves from below while fly fishing the Clyde or Passumpsic rivers in the northeast. Sunny and cool weather forecast this weekend is perfect for taking in the colors on a long hike-try the Worcester Range or Groton State Forest."
-- Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Beyond leaf peeping, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Vermont's mountains, meadows and villages during the fall. Discover Vermont Fall Festivals and other fun things to do in Vermont with our Vermont.com Calendar of Events. Don't see your event? Feel free to suggest an event so we can add it to our Calendar.
The Vermont.com Foliage Reports are provided thanks to the Vermont Dept of Tourism, and by volunteer members of our Leaf Squad from around the state.
View Past Reports:
September 9, 2019
September 12, 2019
September 16, 2019
September 19, 2019
September 23, 2019
September 26, 2019
September 30, 2019
October 3, 2019
