While most of Vermont has moved past peak foliage conditions, some great viewing remains in all regions, especially in the Champlain, Connecticut, and Taconic valleys.

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!

Keep checking back here as we continue to gather information from our "Leaf Squad" to report foliage conditions throughout the state!

-- Vermont.com

FOLIAGE REPORTS FROM AROUND THE STATE

Northern VT Foliage   Central VT Foliage   Southern VT Foliage

NORTHERN VERMONT:

"We sent our videographer out to capture some of the colors this week with his drone. WOW!! What a season to remember! The colors this fall have been nothing short of breathtaking. It’s been years since we remember such vibrant reds, and long-lasting oranges. These mountains have appeared to be on fire! As we begin to draw the foliage season to a close, we shift focus toward opening day Thanksgiving celebrations, Halloween Season Pass and Badge deadlines, and what is shaping up to be another fantastic winter season!"

-- Mike Chait, Smugglers' Notch Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

"Sunset at Sterling Ridge Resort highlighting the beautiful fall color that still on the trees. Photo taken 10/16/2019 by K. Roberts.

Starting to see some bare branches at the higher elevations but there is still a lot of colors to view!"

-- Jessica Bonath, Sterling Ridge Resort, Jeffersonville, VT

CENTRAL VERMONT:

"The Killington Valley is ablaze with color! Locals and visitors alike agree that it's a great year for fall foliage. With a forecast filled with mostly sunshine for the next several days, this week promises to be the peak of leaf-peeping season. The Red Clover Inn offers B & B accommodations and a full, chef-prepared breakfast... we have a number of rooms available - call soon!"

-- Carol Ryan, Red Clover Inn & Restaurant, Mendon, VT

"I have to say the time is now in Rutland County & Central Vermont! We have been on the road & on the water traveling tour our fishing hot spots up & down the Champlain Vally & all i can say is WOW! Brilliant Oranges & Yellows abound with some reds mixed in. Some of the higher elevations are starting to see some leaves dropping near Goshen, Chittenden & Mendon, but over all i would say peak color. Back roads near the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden are beautiful. Route 3 from Pittsford to Center Rutland has some great color along the Otter Creek as does Route 133 out through Clarendon & Middletown Springs! Get out there, the time is now!"

-- Capt. Matt Trombley, 3rd Alarm Charters, Proctor, VT

SOUTHERN VERMONT:

"After an exciting weekend of Chili, Brews, and Music, the foliage surrounding Southern Vermont's Highest Peak remain magnificent. A few remaining red's can be spotted here and there, but it's the splendid goldens and oranges that are taking center stage now. Temps at night are flirting with freezing and we are all wondering when we might see our first summit snow. This weekend we are gearing up for our 29029 event. Athlete's from all over will make our base area home as they climb their way to the summit of Mt. Everest, via the Stratton Summit."

-- Luke Robins, Stratton Mountain Resort, Bondville, VT

"I was able to go up Magic Mountain again for their last ride of the 2019 foliage season and, WOW, what a view! The sky was a little gray in the morning, but that just made the colors really POP! Temperatures have started to drop overnight, into the 40s & 30s, and I think that's helped move the color along.

On my way to the office this morning, I noticed the colors weren't nearly as bold as they were over the weekend, with mostly muted yellow, orange, & red colors, some browns, and even a few trees that are half-empty, but there are still a lot of trees clinging to their green leaves, so maybe we'll get another little 'burst' of color before the season finally ends. Overall, I think this has probably been one of the best foliage seasons I've seen, and it's not over yet!"

-- Renee-Marie Smith, Vermont.com, Manchester, VT

"A fine Vermont foliage season continues, with veteran observers noting the extended, gradual nature of this year’s show of color. The highest elevations and hardwood ridges have moved beyond peak, but brilliant foliage remains in downslope valleys and protected forest coves and benches throughout the state. While bare branches are beginning to appear, the trees are still showcasing a surprisingly high volume of leaves.

Bests Bets for Color: The Champlain and Connecticut River Valleys have plenty of green and the promise of even more color ahead as they reach peak.

This transition point in the foliage season is especially notable as red, orange, and yellow leaves cover the ground but also persist in the canopy above, creating a colorful mosaic to hike through. As the scene shifts from overhead to below your feet or bike tires, it’s a nice time to see into the woods and discover the stone walls and cellar holes of the past. A reminder that generations of Vermonters have worked the land closely and intelligently, allowing us to enjoy and benefit from the landscape we know today."

-- Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing

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.

FOLIAGE TIPS:

Best Bets: During the earliest part of foliage season, viewing is more about elevation than location. Your best chances for spotting color are to 'get high' or 'get low.' Higher elevations with panoramic views will allow you to spot smatterings of color in the valleys below. Alternatively, you can 'get low' - marshy areas near bodies of water typically offer the first areas of foliage change and also offer a wide variety of tree species which enlarges the palette of early season colors.

Helpful Tip: Plan Ahead!
Foliage season is a very popular time to visit Vermont, so if you want to stay in a particular place on a particular weekend, call in advance to make sure rooms are available. Having your lodging plans made in advance will avoid unnecessary stress and allow you to enjoy your foliage season odyssey. Also too, it is a good idea to make dining reservations as early as possible in the day or even the night before.

When To Come For 'Peak' Foliage:
There is no one 'perfect' time to visit Vermont to see peak foliage. Color change begins in mid-September and runs through the first two to three weeks in October and varies by elevation, progressing from north to south and higher to lower elevations during the course of the season. As such, there are many 'peaks' so that you can make your plans based on the timing and location that works for you.

Science Behind the Leaves Changing Colors:
During the short summer months, broad-leafed trees such as maples, oaks and birches produce food to nourish themselves for growth. They do this through a process known as photosynthesis, using the energy of the sun to produce food. As the days grow shorter in early fall, the increasing periods of darkness trigger leafy plants to slow down photosynthesis and stop growing. A pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green color) is used in photosynthesis, so the slowing of this process means there is less green pigment. But leaves contain pigments other than green, called carotenoids and anthocyanins. Once the greens fade, carotenoids are revealed (yellow, orange, and brown colors), anthocyanins and are produced (red and purple colors).

Certain colors are characteristic of particular plant species. Red maples live up to their name by turning scarlet, while most sugar maples glow a warm orange. Aspen and birches display sunny yellows, while oak and beech leaves turn bronze and gold. Most of Vermont's fall foliage color is provided by red and sugar maples, two resilient tree species that constitute more than 50 percent of our forest's trees. You can find even more details on leaves and their changing colors, courtesy of the US Forest Service: Why Leaves Change Colors

The Vermont.com Foliage Reports are provided thanks to the Vermont Department of Tourism, and by volunteer members of our Leaf Squad from around the state. To submit a report for your area, please send a description and photo of your area, with the date and location where the photo was taken.

To view past Foliage Reports, visit the Vermont.com Blog.

For more info on current conditions, call Vermont's Seasonal Hotline at (802)828-3239 ... and tell them Vermont.com sent you!

Vermont Fall Foliage Season
from the Vermont Department of Tourism