With sunny days and brilliant color, we’ve had a spectacular season. At this point, much of the state is considered past peak, but there are still a few pockets of color to discover in lower elevation valleys, especially in town & village centers in the western & southern sections of Vermont.
The Vermont.com Fall Foliage Reports are first-hand reports provided by volunteers from around the state. This is the final week of reports for the 2019 Foliage Season. Keep checking back here as we continue to receive updates from our Leaf Squad!
FOLIAGE REPORTS FROM AROUND 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.
October 21, 2019
"It's exciting... we see beautiful colors, but up on the top of Mount Mansfield, we see... a blanket of snow! It's gorgeous out there, and although the perfect hiking weather, it's got us secretly dreaming of winter vacations."
-- Tera Dacek, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Stowe, VT
October 23, 2019
"I went to have my car serviced yesterday and I was surprised by how much color I saw on the way. From Londonderry in Southern Vermont, I took Route 100 north thru Weston, to Route 155 thru East Wallingford, to Route 103 and Route 7 toward Rutland. Attached is a picture of the mountains right by the Rutland Airport, at the intersection of Route 7 and Route 103."
-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT
October 21, 2019
"Well, it's getting closer. This past weekend brought some flakes to the top of Southern Vermont's highest peak. Participants of the 29029 Everesting summit challenge began their ascent with hardy oranges and yellows dotting the trails. As athletes approached the top, foliage and the crunch of fallen leaves gave way to the squelch of snow. With summer and fall activities officially wrapped up, last minute leaf peepers can still observe rich oranges and some lingering yellows, perhaps a stubborn red or two. Color stretches to mid mountain before giving way to [bare] bows. If you're still hoping to catch a view, foot travel is best as scenic gondola rides have ended for the season."
-- Luke Robins, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville, VT
October 21, 2019
"The 2019 Foliage Season is coming to an end in my 'neck of the woods' of Southern Vermont. There is very little color left, especially in the higher elevations, but there are still a few trees here-and-there clinging to their beautiful golden leaves. The dominant colors I'm seeing right now are yellow & orange, with a sprinkling of light green and reds. I think we only have about a week left before we head in to 'stick season' in Southern Vermont."
-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT
STATEWIDE SUMMARY:
October 23, 2019
"The final act of this year's spectacular foliage display is upon us, but the show isn't over quite yet. Even in places where most of the leaves have fallen, brushstrokes of yellow and orange remain. Late-turning aspens and oaks are holding color and green leaves persist on some oak and beech trees in lower elevations. As color along hillsides and mountains subsides, evergreens become more noticeable as the dominant feature of forested scenery for the months ahead.
Bests Bets for Color: Hiking, trout fishing, or biking gravel roads in the Champlain and Connecticut Valleys.
Pleasantly seasonal temperatures this week will provide continued opportunities to get outside and appreciate this season of transition!"
-- Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Beyond leaf peeping, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Vermont’s mountains, meadows and villages during the fall. Late October sees the emergence of pumpkin people on street corners, porches, and country lanes, and there are plenty of upcoming fall events, including several spooky celebrations October 30 and 31. 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.
If you couldn't make it to Vermont this fall, you can still find some gorgeous fall scenery in our Autumn Photo Gallery, thanks to local photographers and visitors to Vermont. But truly, you've got to be here to fully enjoy the leaves. And remember, it's never too early to plan your next fall vacation!
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
October 7, 2019
October 10, 2019
October 14, 2019
October 18, 2019
October 21, 2019