New England’s fall foliage season is forecast to begin earlier than usual in 2025, with northern regions seeing initial color changes in late September. However, visitors should expect a more localized “patchwork” display rather than the region’s typically uniform autumn spectacle.
The 2025 season will be shaped by unusual weather patterns, including a wet spring followed by severe summer drought conditions, ongoing beech leaf disease challenges, and climate change effects on regional forests, according to multiple forecasts from state tourism departments, meteorological services, and expert forecasters.
Yankee Magazine describes this year’s colors as “spotlight moments” of brilliant color that will be more localized than in typical years. The publication advises that “leaf peepers should plan their adventures to include different elevations and aspects to ensure they catch the show” due to the patchwork nature of this year’s foliage display.
CBS News Boston experts are “targeting late September to the start of October as the best time for this area to shine” in the Green Mountains and northern Vermont region. Vermont’s high concentration of sugar maples, which cover 70 percent of the state, contributes to its reputation for spectacular fall colors.
The White Mountains region of New Hampshire remains a premier destination, with local experts noting that “the best foliage is in the White Mountains, along the Kancamagus Highway – Rt 112.” Northern Maine, particularly Aroostook County, is expected to see peak colors from September 27 to October 9.
Some areas may fare better than others this season. An expert from WAMC Northeast Public Radio explained that drought impacts vary by location: “Up here in Saranac Lake, Lake Placid area the drought hasn’t been real bad. So we’re looking at a likelihood of a really nice display.”
For scenic driving, the 35-mile Kancamagus Highway “runs through the middle of the White Mountains (no towns, no houses, no gas stations), over a couple mountain passes.” Vermont Route 100, described as “one of the most popular routes for experiencing fall foliage in New England,” “runs through the entire length of Vermont and offers stunning views of the Green Mountains, rolling hills, and quaint villages.”
Rhode Island offers coastal foliage viewing along Route 1 and 1A “from Westerly to Wickford” and Ocean Drive in Newport, which provides “fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Fort Adams State Park.” State tourism officials suggest visitors “travel Ocean Drive beginning at the Fort Adams end to avoid glare from a setting sun” for afternoon visits.
State parks recommended for combining foliage viewing with cultural experiences include Roger Williams Park and Zoo in Providence, Blithewold Mansion & Gardens in Bristol, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Rhode Island, plus Baxter State Park in Maine.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that “peak foliage usually lasts 7 to 10 days in a given location, but the exact window can shift due to temperature, rainfall, and wind,” making flexible travel plans important for catching peak colors.
Photography conditions vary throughout the day, with “morning light creating softer colors with less glare, while late afternoon light adds warmth and depth to red and orange hues,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Yankee Magazine noted that “Canadian wildfire smoke might impact long-distance fall foliage photography, making smaller landscape scenes more photogenic.”
Sugar maples are reportedly faring better than other tree species in current climate conditions, making maple-rich areas likely to offer the most vibrant displays. However, beech leaf disease continues to impact some areas. CBS News Boston advises that “if you see a banding of dark and light green on your beech leaves, the tree is infected.”
For those seeking less crowded viewing spots, lesser-known locations include Dixville Notch State Park, Hart’s Location and Tamworth, Waitsfield or Warren in Vermont, Jackson in New Hampshire, and The Basin Pond located just inside the New Hampshire border off Route 113.
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