Discover When Fall Foliage Begins in Vermont: A Complete Guide
If you’re trying to figure out when fall foliage starts in Vermont (and when to come for peak color), you’re not alone. Vermont’s foliage season is beautiful, but it’s also a moving target. The timing shifts year to year, and it changes across the state based on elevation and location.
This guide covers what causes the color change, when foliage typically begins, where to go for the best views, and how to plan a trip that actually works.
For quick tips, check out:
If you’re looking for information on our private guided Fall Foliage tours or would like to book a tour, please go here.
The Science Behind Fall Foliage
Fall foliage looks like magic, but it’s really a predictable reaction to changing daylight and temperature.
As summer turns into fall, days get shorter and nights get cooler. Trees respond by slowing and then stopping chlorophyll production. Chlorophyll is what makes leaves look green. Once it breaks down, the other pigments that were already in the leaves (or that form late in the season) start to show through.
Here’s what you’re seeing:
Carotenoids create yellow and orange tones
These pigments are present in leaves all season long, but they’re usually hidden behind chlorophyll. When the green fades, the yellows and oranges become much more obvious.Anthocyanins create reds and purples
These pigments form when there’s bright light and extra sugar in the leaf. That’s why some years Vermont maples look like they’re glowing, and other years the reds are more muted.
The mix of tree species in Vermont plus the climate is what makes the state’s fall color so reliable and so dramatic. When you understand what’s happening in the leaves, the whole season makes more sense, including why it can look completely different from one week to the next.
Best Times to Experience Fall Foliage in Vermont
When it comes to Vermont foliage, timing is everything. In most years, foliage season begins in late September and runs through October. Peak foliage can shift earlier or later depending on the weather, but the first two weeks of October are often the sweet spot for the most widespread color.
A good rule of thumb:
higher elevations and northern Vermont change first
lower elevations and southern Vermont follow after
That means early October is often ideal for areas like the Northeast Kingdom and the Green Mountains. As the season progresses, the strongest color moves south and down in elevation. This is why Vermont can have an extended foliage season if you plan around the progression instead of trying to hit one “perfect” weekend.
To dial in your timing, check foliage updates leading up to your trip. Local tourism sites, regional reports, and social media updates can help you track where color is building and where peak is already passing. The closer you get to your travel dates, the more useful those updates become.
Regions in Vermont Known for Stunning Foliage
Vermont has great fall color almost everywhere, but a few regions consistently stand out.
The Northeast Kingdom
If you want wide-open views, quiet roads, and a more rural feel, the Northeast Kingdom is hard to beat. Rolling hills, deep forests, and long scenic drives make this one of the best areas in Vermont for peak foliage. Towns like St. Johnsbury and Burke are great jumping-off points for scenic routes, short hikes, and viewpoints.
The Green Mountains
The Green Mountains run right through the center of the state, and they deliver classic Vermont fall scenery: mountain ridgelines, valleys filled with color, and elevated lookouts that make you understand why people plan entire trips around leaves. The Green Mountain National Forest offers plenty of scenic pull-offs and trail options, and Mount Mansfield is a favorite for big panoramic views. If you’re up for a longer hike, the Long Trail gives you a front-row seat to the season.
Southern Vermont
Southern Vermont peaks later than the north, which makes it a great option if your travel dates fall in mid to late October. You’ll find charming towns, covered bridges, historic sites, and plenty of scenic back roads. Manchester and Bennington are popular bases, and the Battenkill Valley is especially photogenic in the fall.
Factors Influencing Fall Colors
Vermont foliage doesn’t happen on a fixed schedule. It’s influenced by weather patterns, tree species, and geography.
Weather conditions
The most vibrant fall color tends to happen after:
a warm, wet spring
a summer that isn’t extremely hot or dry
a fall stretch of sunny days and cool nights
Cool nights help trigger the change. Sunlight helps develop pigments, especially reds. Too much wind or heavy rain can knock leaves down early, and an early hard freeze can shorten the season.
Tree species
Different trees produce different colors, and Vermont has a lot of variety. Some of the most common:
sugar maples: bold reds and oranges
birches and poplars: bright yellows
oaks: deep red to brown tones later in the season
beeches: golden leaves that can hang on longer than most
This diversity is a big reason Vermont fall foliage looks layered and textured instead of flat.
Elevation and location
Higher elevations and northern areas change earlier. Lower elevations and southern areas change later. That staggered timing is why you can often find great color somewhere in the state for several weeks, even though any one spot has a shorter peak window.
Popular Activities During Fall Foliage Season
Fall foliage season is not just for leaf peeping. Vermont in fall is built for being outside, driving, and wandering.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to experience foliage because you get elevation, views, and that full canopy effect. Vermont has everything from easy trails to big climbs. The Long Trail, the Appalachian Trail segments in Vermont, and state parks across the state give you plenty of options at different effort levels.
Scenic drives
While you can't go wrong just driving around, here are a few routes and regions that deliver every year.
Route 100: The most famous Vermont foliage drive, passing through classic villages and mountain views (Warning! Popular and can be crowded.)
Plymouth, Killington, Bridgewater via Routes 4 and 100A: Rolling hills, farms, stone walls, and fewer crowds
Smugglers' Notch (Seasonal): Dramatic cliffs and bursts of color. Closed in winter, but stunning in early October (Warning! Popular and can be crowded.)
Looking for a no-stress option? Our Private Guided Fall Foliage Tours include hand-picked routes that avoid the traffic and show off Vermont’s quieter corners.
Seasonal experiences
If you want fall to feel like fall:
apple picking
pumpkin patches
harvest festivals
farm stands and seasonal markets
There are also more “experience” options like hot air balloon rides, scenic train excursions, and Vermont Wayfinders’ guided foliage tours if you want a different perspective or you’d rather not be the one navigating.
Tips for Planning Your Fall Foliage Trip
A little planning goes a long way during foliage season because Vermont gets busy fast.
Book early
Fall is peak travel season. Lodging fills up, especially on weekends and in popular towns. If you want a specific area, book accommodations well in advance. Inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals can make the trip feel more Vermont, but they also book out quickly.
Build a flexible itinerary
Peak color shifts year to year. Don’t lock yourself into a rigid schedule that only works if foliage hits on one exact day. A better approach is to plan a general route and a few strong options, then adjust based on foliage updates and weather.
Mix your activities
A solid foliage day usually includes a little bit of everything:
a scenic drive with a few stops
a short hike or viewpoint
a town break for food or shopping
one seasonal experience (farm stand, orchard, festival)
Also, consider exploring quieter routes and smaller towns to reduce crowds and make the day feel more relaxed.
Pack for changing conditions
Vermont fall weather can shift quickly. Bring:
layers for temperature swings
comfortable footwear
a map or downloaded directions (cell service is not guaranteed)
snacks and water if you’ll be out driving and stopping frequently
Photography Tips for Capturing Fall Colors
Fall foliage is gorgeous in person, but it can be weirdly hard to capture on camera. A few simple choices make a big difference.
Best light for foliage photos
early morning and late afternoon (golden hour) give soft light and richer tones
overcast days are surprisingly great because the light is even and colors look saturated without harsh shadows
Composition ideas that work
use rivers, ponds, or mountains as a backdrop
frame shots through branches for depth
include a road, covered bridge, or person for scale
take both wide landscapes and close-ups for variety
Editing without overdoing it
Post-processing can help, but subtle wins here. A small bump to contrast and saturation can bring back what your eye saw. Over-editing makes colors look fake fast, especially reds.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Vermont's Fall Beauty
Vermont fall foliage is one of the best seasonal shows in the country, and it’s not an exaggeration to say it changes the entire feel of the state. The timing depends on weather, elevation, and location, which is why a flexible plan is the smartest plan.
Whether you’re hiking for views, taking scenic drives through the mountains, exploring small towns, or working your way through apple cider and farm stands, Vermont in the fall rewards you for slowing down and letting the day unfold.
If you want to catch foliage at its best, plan ahead, stay flexible, and follow the color as it moves across the state.