The Ultimate Guide to Leaf Peeping in Vermont, Colorado, and Beyond

With climate shifts, new parks, and travel trends changing, the fall foliage season promises new surprises. Whether you're chasing maples in the East or aspens in the Rockies, here’s everything you need to know to make your leaf-peeping trip unforgettable.

Uncover what, exactly, leaf peeping is, the best places and times to enjoy it, and why 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for the big fall show.

From the golden aspens in Colorado and Utah to the vibrant maples of New England, leaf peeping has become a popular fall tradition across the United States.

On the East Coast, New England reigns supreme as the leaf-peeping capital. While northern New England and Vermont in particular are known for the wild hues of orange, gold, and red, the entire region is typically lit up to some degree throughout the fall months. Here are a few must-see destinations:

• Vermont: Stowe, Smugglers' Notch, and the scenic Route 100 corridor. Hit the Northeast Kingdom if you want steeper climbs and fewer crowds. Or hit the Mad River Valley for vintage foliage scenes.

• New Hampshire: Franconia Notch State Park and the Kancamagus Highway. White Mountains side-roads and lesser loops like the trip from Conway to Lincoln are also a great option.

• Maine: Acadia National Park and Moosehead Lake. Also inland gems like Baxter State Park and Rangeley Lakes are great places to peep the foliage.

• Massachusetts: The Berkshires offer rolling hills and a vibrant palette of autumn colors.

We’re a bit partial, but Vermont is often considered the best spot in New England for leaf peeping, thanks to its vast acreage of forests and cooler climates that help facilitate that stark, crisp change. The best time to leaf peep in Vermont is typically late September through early or mid October, with peak foliage colors varying slightly depending on elevation and region. (The farther north and higher in elevation, the earlier in the season the leaves will turn.) Small towns like Stowe and Woodstock offer quintessential New England views, thanks to their scenic downtown areas and the surrounding mountains. Southern Vermont provides easy leaf peeping access to the rest of the Northeast, while the Northeast Kingdom boasts steep hikes and stunning scenery with fewer crowds.

• Colorado – Aspen and Gunnison National Forests, San Juan Mountains; new: Sawatch Range drives.Golden Canyon State Park is also a beautiful place to watch the leaves turn.
  
  
• Utah – Wasatch Mountains, especially Big Cottonwood Canyon; the Tushar Mountains.
  
  
• Pacific Northwest – Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood; new: Eastern Cascades and Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains.
  
  
• Northern Rockies – Glacier National Park, Idaho’s Sawtooth region.

• Residual Soil Moisture: Many regions had decent water retention into late summer in 2025 (depending on locale), which keeps leaves healthier before the fall color transition.
  
  
• Balanced Summer Weather: In places without extreme heat or drought, foliage tends to be brighter.
  
  
• Improved Infrastructure / Trails Opening: Post-pandemic investments in state parks, trail maintenance, and access roads means some places are more visitor-friendly.

• Drier or hotter summers can stress trees, causing leaves to drop early or colors to be muted.
  
  
• Fires (especially in the West) may degrade air quality or block views.
  
  
• Crowding on well-known routes (Blue Ridge, Kancamagus, Appalachian corridors) can reduce the enjoyment unless you plan times off-peak or early in morning. Additionally, while most of the parkway is open, some sections are still inaccessible due to 2024 Hurricane Helene storm damage, so visitors should plan their routes.
  
  
• Travel costs (fuel, lodging) often spike around peak foliage season; booking ahead is more necessary than ever.

This fall is shaping up to be a stunning time to take a drive or an extended road trip to soak in the scenery, whether you're visiting classic locations like New England or exploring the wilds of the Rockies in Colorado.

Wherever you leaf peep, the practice is a quintessential fall activity that offers a chance to slow down and appreciate nature’s beauty.

• Go during the midweek to avoid weekend crowds. Start days early.
  
  

• Choose lodging in smaller towns or cabins near parks to avoid long daily drive-ins. Camping if possible (book campgrounds well ahead).
  
  

• Consider staying at eco-lodges or B&Bs that engage with the local community.
  
  

• Pack for variable weather: frost or snow possible at elevation; mornings and evenings cold, afternoons warmer.
  
  

• Bring layers, waterproof gear, and plan for shorter daylight hours.

• Golden Hour (first hour after sunrise and last before sunset) is magic. Leaves glow differently with low-angle light.
  
  

• Use vantage points with layers — foreground trees + mid-valley + mountain backdrop = depth.
  
  

• Reflection shots: lakes, ponds, still water make gorgeous mirror images.
  
  

• Macro detail: dew drops, leaf edges, bark textures.
  
  

• Mind composition: leading lines (roads, rivers), natural frames (arches, branches).

Also: leave time just to sit and enjoy. A hike, a picnic, or just slowing your pace often yields the most memorable moments.

• Stay on designated trails to avoid soil erosion.
  
  

• Carry out all trash; limit single-use plastics.
  
  

• Where allowed, use shuttle services rather than driving into sensitive zones.
  
  

• Support local businesses (restaurants, guides, lodging) so the economic benefit stays in small towns.
  
  

• Be fire-aware: many regions have tighter restrictions now; check local fire bans.

As of September 2025:

• Many forecasts for New England point to earlier than average peak in some high-elevation areas, with valleys catching up later.
  
  

• The Rockies are potentially going to have a strong showing if nighttime temps drop soon — aspen stands look healthy in preliminary drone/sat imagery.
  
  

• Wildfire smoke remains a concern in Western states; air quality could interfere with visibility some mornings.
  
  

• The Southeast & Appalachians may see more mixed yellow and orange, fewer deep reds in some spots, depending on local rainfall earlier in the summer.

• Vermont (Stowe, Route 100): Approx Sept 25 – Oct 10
  
  

• New Hampshire (White Mountains, Kancamagus): Oct 1 – Oct 12
  
  

• Maine (Inland / Baxter State Park): Early Oct → Mid Oct
  
  

• Colorado (Aspen regions): Mid-Sept → Late Sept
  
  

• Pacific Northwest (Columbia Gorge / Mt Hood): Late Oct → Early Nov (depending on elevation)

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