Your Ultimate Guide to Visiting Vermont:

When to Visit

Vermont shines in every season, but the experience can feel completely different depending on when you visit. Spring brings quiet roads and maple steam rising from sugarhouses. Summer offers lush hills, lake days, and farmers markets. Fall speaks for itself with fiery foliage and cool air, while winter settles in with snow, stillness, and plenty of cozy. This guide will help you choose the season that matches your style of adventure.

Spring in Vermont (Mud Season to May)

Quiet roads, maple syrup, and leaves starting to come out

Why you’ll love it:

  • So many shades of green as leaves start to come out

  • Maple sugaring season is in full swing with sugar shacks, steam, and syrup tastings

  • Fewer crowds mean you’ll have the views and the inns mostly to yourself

  • Wildflowers, baby animals (farm and wild!), and open fields before the trees fully leaf out

What to consider:

  • Trails and dirt roads will be muddy; this isn’t a time to explore unknown territory

  • Some businesses and seasonal attractions may not have reopened yet

  • Weather can swing wildly, so bring layers and a sense of humor

Summer in Vermont (June to August)

Everything is green, everything is open, and the days stretch on forever

Why you’ll love it:

  • Farmers markets, mountain hikes and bikes, swimming holes, and festivals

  • Small towns come alive with local events, outdoor music, and scenic drives

  • Great time for road trips with everything accessible and the scenery at its lushest

  • Ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers who want to explore at their own pace

What to consider:

  • It’s a popular time to visit, especially on weekends near big events or holidays

  • Mosquitos and other flies are part of the package, so pack bug spray

  • Lodging in hotspots like Woodstock or Stowe can book up early

Fall in Vermont (September to October)

The big show. Crisp air, glowing hillsides, and cider everything

Why you’ll love it:

  • Vermont is world-famous for its foliage and for good reason

  • Perfect weather for cozy layers, apple picking, and scenic wandering

  • Local festivals, harvest markets, and breathtaking drives at every turn

  • It’s the kind of beauty that makes you pull over just to stare

What to consider:

  • This is peak season, so lodging, tours, and restaurants get busy

  • Prices may be higher and availability tighter, especially during prime foliage weeks

  • Some scenic routes can get crowded, so early starts help

  • It’s impossible to predict when peak foliage will be! The last week of September to mid-October is generally the best time, but you just never know

Winter in Vermont (November to March)

Peaceful, picturesque, and perfect for slowing down

Why you’ll love it:

  • Snow-covered villages, cozy fireplaces, and holiday charm

  • Great for skiing, snowshoeing, and scenic drives through a winter wonderland

  • Inns and lodges are extra magical with twinkle lights and hot drinks

  • A quieter season for unplugging and connecting with nature

What to consider:

  • Cold temps and short daylight hours require a bit more planning

  • Some attractions and roads may be closed for the season

  • Snow tires or all-wheel drive are a must for many roads

  • Mother Nature doesn’t always follow the calendar; snow may be plentiful or totally missing. Your best bet for finding snow on the ground will be January and February.