Explore a Season:
Nature lovers will be blown away by the unrivaled scenery and countless opportunities for wildlife viewing in the Great North Woods.
Choose from five spectacular driving tours; the Kancamagus Highway, a national scenic byway, is the granddaddy of them all.
Spend a half-day or longer driving the Sunapee Loop and you'll see one of the most photogenic town greens in America.
The Lakes Loop circles Lake Winnipesaukee, the perfect introduction to this vacationland.
Drive the Monadnock Region Loop to explore some of the most quintessentially New England towns in New Hampshire.
Choose from 10 scenic drives and byways in this historic region.
Along a shoreline drive in coastal New Hampshire, you’ll experience both the region’s Colonial history and its scenic beauty.
Jericho Mountain State Park provides opportunities for miles of trail riding for ATV, UTV, trail bike, and snowmobile enthusiasts alike. Throughout the park, visitors are treated to a number of scenic outlooks. The park also includes a 20 site ride-in/ride-out campground, cabins, a bathhouse and Visitors Center. Learn More
The fire tower at hilltop Milan Hill State Park offers a complete view of the mountain ranges in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Canada. The park is home to a primitive camping area with four yurts and six campsites. Learn More
Built in 1862, the Stark Covered Bridge is one of the most beautiful covered bridges in New Hampshire. The bridge is set in picturesque Stark village next to the historic Stark Union Church. It spans the Ammonoosuc River, with covered pedestrian paths on either side.
Set at the very top of Mt. Prospect in Lancaster, Weeks State Park provides a 360-degree panorama of mountain splendor, including the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the Kilkenny Range, the Percy Peaks, and the upper Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can climb the old stone fire tower for even better mountain views. Learn More
A scenic trail around Echo Lake provides great views of sheer, 700-foot Cathedral Ledge which towers over the lake. A mile-long auto road and hiking trails lead to the top of Cathedral Ledge where views across the Saco River Valley to the White Mountains can be enjoyed. Learn More
The Lincoln Woods Trail is one of the easiest and most heavily used trails in the White Mountain National Forest. Leaving the parking lot on the north side of the Kancamagus Highway, the Lincoln Woods Trail immediately crosses the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River via a very scenic 160’ long suspension bridge. Learn More
Lower falls is one of the most popular stops along the Kancamagus Highway. The falls is a beautiful spot where the Swift River drops many feet over smooth granite rocks into a large pool. It is an ideal place to picnic, sunbathe, and swim in warm weather. Learn More
Bear Notch Road can be accessed from Route 302 in Bartlett. This road connects Route 302 to the Kancamagus Highway and has many scenic stops and overlooks with spectacular views as it climbs through the White Mountains. Please note- this road is closed during the winter.
Mount Sunapee State Park is a major recreation area offering year-round activities at beautiful 4,085 acre Lake Sunapee. A picturesque lakeside beach, a vast network of well-marked hiking trails, and a secluded group campground make it the perfect place to spend a day or entire weekend. Learn More
Located in downtown Hanover, the green is the focal point of the Dartmouth College campus. This beautiful lawn on the iconic campus is a stunning spot for visitors and students alike to meet up, ride bikes, play sports and relax. From the green, visitors can easily access the many shops and restaurants on Main Street, Hanover. Learn More
Visitors drive up a 3-1/2 mile scenic auto road to the parking and picnic areas of Rollins State Park. From there, hikers can climb a one-half mile trail to the summit of Mt.Kearsarge. Views stretch from Mt. Monadnock to the coastal plain. The summits of Pack Monadnock, Crotched and Uncanoonuc Mountains, the hills of central MA, and the Boston skyline are visible on the horizon. Learn More
Located at the southern tip of Lake Winnipesaukee, these colorful houses sit on a small inlet of Alton Bay where Route 11 crosses the water. The combination of vibrant fall foliage and the colors of the homes reflecting in the water makes for a perfect fall photo. Continuing to head west on Route 11 allows for sweeping vistas of the lake and mountain ranges beyond.
This iconic 1914 Arts & Crafts mansion is perched on a stunning 5,500 acre mountaintop estate with 28 miles of trails, waterfalls, giant trout pond, and breathtaking views of Lake Winnipesaukee. Activities include castle tours, hiking, seasonal events, art gallery, dining, horseback riding and gift shop. Learn More
Located just off the road, behind the police and fire station in Gilford is the Tannery Hill Covered Bridge. It is a foot traffic only bridge with beautiful latticework openings, spanning Gunstock brook. It was built to link the town hall with the rest of the town center and is named for the tannery that once stood in the area.
Ellacoya State Park is located in Gilford on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. The 600-foot long sandy beach, with views across the lake to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains, is a great place to spend a full day of lake fun and picnicking. Learn More
Monadnock State Park is located in and around the 3,165-ft. Mount Monadnock. The park is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected highlands and offers year-round recreational opportunities. Scenic views of Monadnock can be found from a number of regional roads and highways, especially Route 124 in Jaffrey. Learn More
Stonewall Farm is home to 23 acres of pastures, hiking and biking trails, gardens, wetlands and forest. Children will enjoy splashing in the brook and playing in the nature playground. Visit the farm animals, stop in the farm store and be sure to check out the extensive events calendar of seasonal activities. Learn More
Washington is a scenic small town in southwestern New Hampshire, with a population of about 1100. Washington is a rural town with a hilly, rugged, and forested landscape. It’s picturesque village contains examples of stunning early architecture, including the Town Hall, built as a meetinghouse in 1787, and the Congregational Church built in 1840. Learn More
Canterbury Shaker Village is a National Historic Landmark and museum nestled among the rolling hills of wooded central New Hampshire. With nearly 700 acres of forests, nature trails, gardens and ponds, as well as 25 original and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings, the Village is a must see for any visitor to New England. Learn More
The 76 foot tall tower in Garrison Hill Park is one of the best places to take in the entire seacoast region, with dramatic 360 degree views. From the 298 foot elevation of Garrison Hill, visitors can see both the Isles of Shoals and the White Mountains on a clear day. Learn More
Odiorne Point is the largest undeveloped stretch of shore on New Hampshire’s 18 mile coast. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and rocky shore, and an extensive network of trails traversing the park. Large stone walls bound open fields, remnants of formal gardens and wildflowers grow side by side, and historic man-made military bunkers lie hidden under mounds of earth. Learn More
We can all tip our hats to the Great North Woods after a beautiful foliage display this season. The metaphorical curtains have closed, and a confetti of brightly colored leaves now decorate the forest floors. As cooler temperatures settle in to stay, there is a crispness in the air that accentuates the fall feel. Soon enough, there will be frost coating soft blades of grass and the last of autumn's leaves. But before that happens, you still have time to explore the region while temperate fall weather hangs in the air and the forests remain carpeted by fallen foliage. Keep the Great North Woods in mind for outdoor adventure, where you have endless opportunities for unbelievable scenic drives, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing year-round. This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
Percentage Changed: Past Peak
As the bounty of peak in the White Mountains is diminished by wind and rain, the once vivid colors have begun to fade into toasted hues of sepia, russet, and bronze. The dramatic mountaintops have shed their colors, leaving an avalanche of autumn leaves to tumble down steep slopes and litter the evidence of a brilliant foliage show. Minute sparks of color can be spotted at lower elevations, but the previous eruption of color has been reduced to a mere trickle for most of the region. But fear not; while foliage may be one of Mother Nature's true magic shows, the inspiring beauty of the White Mountain National Forest shines in every season. There is always plenty to see and do, and for now, leaf peepers can rustle through piles of fallen leaves and appreciate the splendor of fall from a different vantage. This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
Cool autumn winds have already begun to steal the leaves from the trees, sending them on a whirlwind descent to rest on the ground. The landscapes are slowly losing the spark of color that just a short time ago was overwhelming. While there are still plenty of seasonal sights to behold, the region is definitely seeing the start of the downside to its peak. Leaf peepers can venture off to Mascoma Lake in Enfield to catch some final colors decorating the landscapes. Or, a scenic drive along Kearsarge Mountain road in Warner may offer some beautiful remaining views! The scenery along this quiet road leading up to Mount Kearsarge is enough to make the drive worth a trip any time of year. This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
Percentage Changed: 100% - Past Peak
New Hampshire's Lakes Region experienced a rapid peak this season, with colors already beginning to fade and fall from the trees. A good portion of the forests still flaunt colorful canopies, but leaf peepers may want to get out there to see the sights as soon as possible to take advantage of the last of the colors. A bounty of autumn hues can be seen around Northfield, Tilton, and Bristol. And Plymouth State University is absolutely idyllic right now with electric orange trees and bold foliage decorating the campus. Driving north along Route 3 towards Meredith will definitely make an impression as the decadent trees are gracefully framing the roads and creating scenery that resembles a grandiose painting. In other areas, fallen leaves swirl along sidewalks and the canopies have transitioned to don toasted shades of bronze, russet, and gold. So don't wait—get out there and enjoy those last spurs of color! This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
Over in the Monadnock Region, rolling hills tinged with gold, scarlet, and russet leaves are prominent. Reporters from the area have sited significant leaf-loss already, but say the colors that do remain are still impressive! One spot in particular that never fails to shine in the glow of a colorful autumn is Madame Sherri's Forest in the town of Chesterfield. The forest hosts beautiful walking trails and a local icon which is a popular subject for many foliage photographs in the fall. The spiral stone staircase in these woods is fascinating and beautiful year-round, but has a special magic to it in the fall when framed by magnificent foliage. In other areas, the town of Fitzwilliam is showing off lush foliage, with vivid colors still sprinkled on treetops. And over near Walpole, there is significant color beautifying the town, lining trees and swirling along sidewalks. Make a trip out to take advantage of the last of the bold fall colors! This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
The colors continue to dazzle in the valley, with bountiful swirls of foliage lining the soft landscapes around the region. Illuminating shades of orange, yellow, and reds shine their brightest in the south around Hooksett, Manchester, and Hudson. Enjoy a walk along the trails encircling Dubes Pond in Hooksett for some pretty views of foliage reflecting in calm waters. Or, why not explore a local apple orchard? With the foliage in full swing, now may be the perfect time to snap some quintessential fall photos and bring home a delicious bag of locally grown apples! For a scenic drive, we hear there may be beautiful sights waiting along route 4 heading east towards New Hampshire's seacoast. Or, you can follow along the Currier and Ives Scenic Byway for even more views of the foliage! This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
Percentage Changed: 100%
On the Seacoast, a crowd of lovely fall colors has overtaken the treetops, leaving gold, auburn, and scarlet leaves to embellish the forests. The Sugar Maples are showing off their vibrant red and orange hues, which makes for delightful contrast when paired with the bright yellow leaves of surrounding birch trees. Driving along Route 33, there is an abundance of stunning fall color especially near the towns of Stratham and Portsmouth. The foliage also happens to be particularly dreamy near Durham—beautifully dressing up the UNH campus located there. But if you're looking for elevated views of the region, head to Garrison Hill Park in Dover. You can climb the 76-foot-tall fire tower there and experience sweeping views of the seacoast, along with the confetti of warm fall colors sprinkled along the landscapes! Or, you can simply take in the sights from your car and embark on the 18.5 mile journey touring New Hampshire's coastline following the Coastal Byway. There's so much to do and with the brimming fall colors—you won't want to miss out on leaf-peeping this weekend! This will be our final report for the 2020 foliage season. Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again next year to plan your 2021 leaf peeping adventures!
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