Fall Foliage Report

October 31, 2025

New Hampshire’s foliage season has officially concluded, as the first signs of frost sparkle in the mountains and forest floors lie carpeted in nature’s colorful mosaic. Now, with leaves giving way to bare branches and crisp air settling in, the landscape is shifting toward its quiet, wintry beauty. As the season turns, it’s time to trade leaf-peeping for snowshoeing, skiing, and cozy fireside views—welcoming the next chapter of New Hampshire’s seasonal show.

Great North Woods:  Past Peak

The Great North Woods has settled into a tranquil, late-autumn rhythm. Most of the vibrant foliage has faded, leaving a peaceful landscape of soft browns, evergreens, and silvery birch. Along Route 3 and Route 145, broad vistas now stretch across open valleys and quiet hillsides, where the season’s first frosts sparkle in the morning light. It’s a serene time to visit—ideal for spotting moose at dusk, watching migrating birds along the Connecticut Lakes, or taking a reflective walk through the woodlands near Coleman State Park and Dixville Notch. Though the colorful foliage season has passed, the region’s calm beauty and crisp mountain air make for ideal winter escapes in the snowy season.

White Mountains Region: Past Peak

The White Mountains have transitioned fully into their late-autumn palette, where muted golds and deep greens mingle with the soft grays of bare hardwoods. While the brilliant canopy has given way to open views, the scenery remains breathtaking—especially along the Kancamagus Highway, Route 302, and Route 2, where the exposed ridgelines and mountain peaks stand in sharp relief from the crowded foliage. Visitors will find peaceful trails, uncrowded overlooks, and quiet towns framed by the lingering hues of the season. Whether you’re capturing the expansive views, exploring a covered bridge, or enjoying a cozy stop in a mountain café, it’s a beautiful time to experience the calm before winter’s arrival.

Lakes Region:  Peak/ Past Peak Foliage

The Lakes Region continues to glow with peak color, with shades of scarlet, honey, and bronze coating landscapes in a dreamy autumn haze.  Across the region, colorful leaves complement classic seasonal sights—jack-o’-lanterns, corn mazes, and festive decorations—adding warmth and charm to the Halloween atmosphere. For late-season leaf peepers looking for a last colorful ride, we hear Hometown Road in Farmington is ablaze in shades of orange and auburn—so make that detour and spend a little extra time to enjoy the sights this weekend. Skeleton branches on the slopes of Gunstock Mountain are disguised by a lush cloak of amber, sepia, and burgundy shades coloring the treetops—brewing a perfectly spooky atmosphere. Along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, mesmerizing shades of foliage color surrounding towns and communities, making any lakeside town a perfect destination for the weekend. In Plymouth, the distant mountains are seen washed in bold color, so get out and explore a local trail, make a detour to drive on backroads to take in the sights, and enjoy the last of the foliage season while you can.

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: Past Peak

In the Dartmouth Lake Sunapee Region, forests are beginning to shed their leaves and sidewalks, trails, and forest floors have become carpeted in a colorful mosaic of fallen leaves. Across the region, you’ll still find areas flourishing with late-blooming foliage, but the region has surpassed its peak wave of color. While I-89 is often the corridor for color through this region, the landscapes seen from the roadway are bare with the last shimmers of yellow and bronze hanging loose on treetops. While the foliage may have surpassed its peak condition, there are still beautiful sights to be found across the region. The Sunapee area is seeing a mix of skeleton forests accentuated with deep shades of bronze, deep honey, and auburn—making the perfect backdrop to Halloween and spooky activities this weekend. Anyone looking for a last drive to hunt for color can follow Route 4 from Andover west, winding through small towns and by waterways which show off the last of the seasonal sights.

Monadnock Region: Past Peak

While lower elevations in the Monadnock Region would lead you to believe the foliage has all but abandoned the landscapes—the peak of Mount Monadnock reveals huddles of late season color still to be found in forests below. Deep orange and golden leaves color the landscapes as far as the eye can see, but many trees have shed their leaves at this stage. Landscapes in Charlestown have fared better through the season, where shades of auburn, red, and golden still color forests along the Connecticut River. This weekend may be the last chance to spot the Cheshire Bridge against a colorful frame of foliage, and a ride along Route 11 will lead you to this ideal seasonal view. Along Route 101 through Peterborough, we hear reports of many bare trees—but where the leaves have abandoned the treetops, they pile along roadsides and glow brilliantly just the same.  

Merrimack Valley: Peak Foliage

The foliage is in waves across the Merrimack Valley, bubbling with peak foliage in some areas and waning in others. We are seeing trees shedding their leaves in landscapes along I-93 from Windham through North Londonderry, while trees along Route 3 from Nashua north are bragging with colorful leaves. Along last week’s colorful ride on Route 202 through Northwood, many trees are now bare and the bounty of leaves is piled on roadsides—so the conditions are changing rapidly. The region is presenting a perfect mix of bare trees accentuated by the last of the autumn color in a festive homage to Halloween. This weekend will be your last chance to explore the region under the guise of autumn—so enjoy a seasonal activity like a corn maze, wander town squares and spot seasonal décor, and appreciate the last embrace of fall before winter’s chill settles in to stay.

Seacoast:  Peak Foliage

The Seacoast is blazing with bursts of vivid fall colors, concluding New Hampshire’s foliage season with a bang. Route 26 from Dover through Rochester is flanked in bold shades of red, orange, and golden shimmering along treetops. We hear the short stretch of Route 88 between Hampton Falls and Exeter is showcasing gorgeous colors, so take it slow this weekend and explore the backroads to enjoy the last of the seasonal sights. If you’re looking for a colorful trail to explore this weekend, the Bellamy River Trail in Dover winds just under 2 and a half miles through forested woodlands, showcasing the Bellamy River along the way. Downtown Portsmouth and Exeter are especially charming this time of year, with tree-lined streets and parks glowing in autumn hues—perfect for a leisurely stroll and a warm cider stop. With vibrant colors lingering and crisp air settling in, it’s an ideal final weekend to soak in the sights before the last leaves fall.