Vermont Fall Colors 2025: Insider's Guide to Perfect Peak Foliage Timing

Vermont's Autumn Glory

Three-quarters of our state wears forest green, home to the country's finest concentration of maple trees. Come autumn, our hills burst into crimson, gold, and orange—nature's finest show.

2025 Peak Predictions

The Old Farmer's Almanac calls for peak color around October 11. This year promises cooler, drier conditions—perfect for those brilliant reds and oranges we're famous for.

Our Foliage Pattern

Peak color starts north and works south: early September in our high country, then down through the valleys by mid-October. That second week of October hits the sweet spot—catch the full color show across all our regions.

What You'll Discover

Perfect timing for peak displays. Hidden spots only locals know. Trip planning that works.

First-time leaf-peeper or seasoned color chaser—this guide gets you to Vermont's fall colors at their absolute finest.

Peak Foliage Timing: Vermont's Color Calendar

Our Foliage Dance

Vermont's color show follows its own rhythm—predictable yet wonderfully surprising each year. Small state, considerable variations: each region puts on its own performance.

September Color Start

Mid-September kicks off the show at our highest peaks and in the Northeast Kingdom, then moves south through October. September 9 brings the first hints of color, building to patchy displays by mid-month. September 23: partial foliage blankets our hills as northern areas near their peak.

October Peak Week

October 7, 2025: mark it down. Our entire state hits a magnificent peak.

Northeast Kingdom leads the parade in late September. Central Vermont—Woodstock, Stowe—typically peaks around Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend. Southern regions like Manchester and Bennington follow by mid-October.

Weather Wild Cards

Mother Nature sets her own schedule, naturally. This year's wet summer may cause leaves to drop early due to fungal troubles. Heavy rains could create complex color patterns across our landscape. The best displays? They come after warm, sunny days paired with crisp, clear nights.

One-Trip Visitors

Second week of October: your best bet. Catch northern regions wrapping up, central areas hitting stride, and southern spots just beginning their show.

Where to See Vermont's Finest Fall Colors

Our Local Favorites

Here's where we head when autumn sets our hills ablaze.

Smugglers' Notch

Dramatic & Winding Mountain pass between Stowe and Jeffersonville: towering cliffs, crimson maples, a tunnel of color worth every crowded mile.

Lake Willoughby

Mirror-Perfect Reflections. Dramatic cliffs meet crystal waters—double the autumn magic in every glance.

Classic Vermont Charm. Five covered bridges, three spanning the Walloomsac River within one mile. Picture-perfect foliage photography.

Mount Equinox Skyline Drive

Five-State Panorama. Manchester's 3,848-foot summit delivers sweeping views. Clear days reveal five states through our kaleidoscope of color.

Mad River Valley. Local's Choice: Appalachian Gap. Route 17's high mountain pass. Stunning valley vistas, blazing hillsides, fewer crowds.

Woodstock

Quintessential New England. Village Green, white steeple, nearby Quechee Gorge. Everything you picture when you think of Vermont autumn.

Burlington Waterfront

Lake Champlain Views. Unique foliage across the water. The Adirondacks provide the perfect backdrop for our color show.

Planning Your Vermont Fall Adventure

Book Early, Color Comes Fast

Fall is our busiest season—book accommodations months ahead, especially around Woodstock and Stowe.

Weather Wisdom

October mornings: 35°F. October afternoons: 60°F. Pack layers you can shed as the day warms. Flannel shirts, wool sweaters, windbreakers, sturdy boots. Local tip: Merino wool works even when damp.

Beat the Crowds

Arrive before sunrise at popular spots. Explore northwest Vermont—equally stunning, fewer folks. Download offline maps—cell service gets spotty on back roads.

Trail Safety

Wet leaves make slippery trails. Mind your footing. Sign trailhead logbooks.

Best Viewing

Don't just drive—get out and wander. The finest colors hide right in our woods.

Vermont Autumn: More Than Colors

Our Fall Season

Vermont's autumn passes quickly as morning frost, yet stays with you long after winter settles on our hills. That second week of October remains your best bet for 2025, though our Northern Kingdom shows off earlier while southern spots hold their colors longer.

Nature Sets the Schedule

Mother Nature calls the shots around here. Cool nights, sunny days—that's what brings out those brilliant reds and golds our maples are famous for. Weather varies, but our north-to-south progression gives you plenty of chances to catch peak color somewhere in Vermont.

Experience the Season

Step out of your car. Crunch through fallen leaves. Breathe that crisp autumn air that smells like nothing else. Listen for the rustle of leaves still holding tight to branches.

Pack your layers, book early, and explore those back roads fewer folks know about.

Take Vermont Home

Fall here lasts just a few weeks, but visitors who take time to wander our trails and chat with locals carry something special back home. More than photos. More than memories.

They take a piece of Vermont autumn with them—and that lasts long after our hills return to winter quiet.