The pace of color development has started to increase, and another fantastic fall foliage season is well underway. Assuming no heavy rains and wind reach the state, we anticipate the glorious fall foliage colors will continue spreading across Vermont over Indigenous Peoples' Day (formerly "Columbus Day") weekend and into the middle of October. 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!
Northern VT Foliage | Central VT Foliage | Southern VT Foliage
"Colors at Smugglers' are popping! While there are still plenty of green trees out there, the oranges and reds are breathtaking. Recent rains have created some nice contrast in these hills. Come for a stay this week!"
-- 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
"After another gorgeous week here in Stowe, Vermont, post the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival, we are in full fall mode. New fall menus, fall photo contents, and mums galore. Right now the best views for leaf peeping are found up high. A hike, mountain bike or gondola ride will get you right in the center of it all, as the leafs are really popping up high. See photos from our weekend hike up to Stowe Pinnacle, it's going to be a great show this fall in Stowe, Vermont!"
-- Tera Dacek, Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa, Stowe, VT
"Moose on the loose! Last night during dinner Red Clover Inn & Restaurant guests were treated to a moose ambling by the dining room and checking out the pond. Our tucked-away location just off Route 4 in the heart of the Killington Valley gives us the chance to see some pretty special wildlife, and seeing a moose is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Maybe he stopped by to see if anyone was sharing s'mores at the fire pit?"
-- Carol Ryan, Red Clover Inn & Restaurant, Mendon, 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
"We've had a few drizzly days in Southern Vermont, but I think it's really helped the colors on the trees grow! I'm seeing a lot more reds and oranges now and I expect this weekend and into next week will be a GREAT time to see the beautiful fall colors throughout the state."
-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT
"As temperatures continue to yo-yo, the magnificent colors remain constant. Each morning passing the 'Welcome to Stratton' sign, the corners of my mouth point up, taking in the rich colors unfolding over the golf course and stretching up to the top of southern Vermont's highest peak. Drawing ever closer to peak foliage, it's hard to imagine that we aren't there already. Yellows are coming into their own, complementing the reds and oranges lining the village, or sprinkled amongst brand new thoughtfully crafted mountain bike trails.
With Harvest fest on the horizon, the first weekend of October will be best spent strolling through the village taking in the foliage, or getting a birdseye view on a scenic gondola ride. However you decided to peep, do not delay, these trees are ready for viewing."
-- Luke Robins, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville, VT
"Another beautiful weekend, perfect for viewing the color up on the mountain in Woodford. We picked some apples, walked the dog, and generally enjoyed being outdoors. We know it won't last much longer so want to take advantage of great weather and beautiful vistas while we have it."
-- Linda Warner, Woodford, 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."
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
