Your New England Foliage Report. For Today, October 1, 2025 – UPDATED

🍁  Leaf peeping season is officially underway across all six New England states.

By RINewsToday Staff

As October begins, the annual wave of fall color is sweeping across New England — right on time. The 2025 foliage season promises a vivid show, with northern areas already nearing peak and southern New England preparing for its turn by mid-month.

Maine

Northern Maine is leading the season, showing 60–70% color change with crisp reds and golds lighting up the forests. Central and southern parts of the state are still in the 30–50% range, with cooler nights expected to deepen the hues quickly. Northern Maine will hit peak within the next week; the rest of the state follows by mid-October.

New Hampshire

The White Mountains and Great North Woods are showing the strongest color right now — with Route 3, Route 16, and the Kancamagus Highway drawing early travelers. Central and southern areas remain a mix of green and gold, expected to peak around October 10–15.

Vermont

Color is ramping up across the Green Mountain State, with the northern and central regions expected to reach peak foliage next week. The best early drives: Stowe to Smugglers’ Notch, Route 100, and the Northeast Kingdom. Southern Vermont will glow a bit later in the month.

Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts — the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley — will peak first, around October 8–12, with color slowly spreading east toward Worcester County and MetroWest by mid-October. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation’s new interactive foliage map tracks progress statewide.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner” (Route 169) and northwestern hills are beginning to blush with color, aiming for peak around Columbus Day weekend. Coastal and southern Connecticut will follow later in October, extending into early November.

Rhode Island

The Ocean State’s foliage runs later than its neighbors. Northern and western Rhode Island typically peak mid- to late October, while southern and coastal areas stretch into early November. Prime local viewing: Blackstone Valley, Roger Williams Park, Chepachet, Arcadia Management Area, and Blithewold Mansion & Gardens.

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🍂 Insider Drives & Tips

• Best color now: Northern New Hampshire and northern Vermont

• Next up: Central Vermont, Western Massachusetts

• Closer to home: The Connecticut–Rhode Island border towns along Route 169

• Timing tip: Early morning and late afternoon light make the colors glow — and keep you ahead of tour-bus traffic.

Cooler nights and dry weather this week mean the show is only just beginning. Expect a full blaze of color across all six New England states by mid-October — a perfect time to take that day trip, weekend getaway, or fall photo drive.

UPDATED!

Train rides! – there are two you may want to check out in New England:

Amtrak’s Downeaster – Boston to Brunswick, Maine – three-hour Amtrak ride through best foliage parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine

Mount Washington Cog Railway – Mount Washington, New Hampshire – three-hour round-trip fall foliage train ride departs and returns from Bretton Woods in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, North Conway area

Send us your leaf peeping photos and we’ll print them HERE! Email to: [email protected]