PREPARED BY VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS, PARKS AND RECREATION

Publish Date: September 16, 2024

Now that mid-September is upon us, fall color is starting to fill in across Vermont. A week ago, fall foliage was only found in the cold and wet areas of the state, but trees are swapping their greens for yellows and oranges in many more locales this week. Every county in the state has some degree of fall color right now, mostly isolated to the tops of trees at higher elevations and along roadsides. The reds and oranges, in particular, are striking where present. It is exciting to see things underway already, but we still have time before peak foliage sets in. Changes in temperature and length-of-day are the major cues for leaves to begin changing color, and as the nighttime temperatures drop, more and more trees will start their annual transition to fall. The sunny days in the forecast for the next week will make for some great foliage viewing statewide. Tree species currently of note include ash and birch (yellows), sugar maples (yellows and oranges), and sumac and red maple (reds). Mixed in with the greens from conifers and late-changing hardwoods, the hues across the landscape are starting to fill in brilliantly.

Best Bets For Foliage

In southern VT, the Route 9 corridor between Bennington and Brattleboro is looking good, as is the Killington area. In central VT, areas with high vantage points are a good bet (e.g., Allis State Park fire tower), as is Route 12A between Randolph and Northfield. And in the north of the state, wetland areas and the Northeast Kingdom still have plenty of great red foliage to view.