Fall Foliage Report

Foliage Report for October 20, 2026

Great North Woods: Past Peak 

The earliest signs of autumn arrived in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods, and now the region’s landscapes are settling into the final chapter of the foliage season. Across Pittsburg and Colebrook, forests have largely shed their colorful canopies, leaving bare branches and muted shades of bronze and rust scattered throughout the northern landscape. Farther south around Lancaster and Whitefield, remnants of autumn’s brilliance can still be spotted along hillsides and rural backroads, where earthy copper tones offer a final glimpse of the season’s beauty. Along Route 3 between Groveton and Lancaster, travelers can take in the changing scenery, with fallen leaves blanketing the forest floor and the occasional burst of lingering color brightening otherwise quiet woodlands.

White Mountains Region:  Past Peak

Autumn’s spectacular display is giving way to the quieter beauty of late fall across the White Mountains, where colorful canopies are thinning and leaves are steadily departing the treetops. Around North Conway and Jackson, scattered pockets of crimson, copper, and gold continue to brighten the landscape, offering lovely glimpses of the season’s final colors throughout the Mount Washington Valley. In Lincoln and Woodstock, early leaf loss is revealing more of the mountainsides, though lingering shades of amber and rust still provide striking contrast against the increasingly bare forests. Farther north, the landscapes surrounding Bethlehem and Littleton are embracing the late-season transition, with fallen leaves carpeting trails and backroads in a colorful mosaic beneath the trees. While peak foliage has passed, there is still plenty of autumn beauty to discover across the region.

Lakes Region: Peak Foliage

This is it! The Lakes Region is alive with an autumn glow as the nights grow cooler and the fall temperatures settle in to stay. Forests between Rumney and Moultonborough are drenched in glowing shades of orange, where hillsides in the distance look like crowded pumpkin patches in bloom.  While there has been some leaf loss between North Hampton and Tilton, there are still pockets of shimmering color standing out along roadsides in the area. In the eastern portion of the region, the orange leaves are simply showstopping along the landscapes and the colors are breathtaking. For a fun photo op, save time to visit the historic Squam River Covered Bridge in Ashland framed by brilliant foliage this week!

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: Peak Foliage

This western region continues to blaze with roaring shades of fiery tones along the treetops. From Charlestown through Cornish, forests are presenting a bouquet of bold color, where shades of olive, amber, and burgundy have overtaken the treetops. We hear the Sunapee area is currently studded with deep autumn shades, especially along the slopes of Mount Sunapee. From the summit of nearby Mount Kearsarge, we are seeing some leaf loss at higher elevations, but there is a strong haze of orange still overwhelmingly cloaking landscapes in the region. The hillsides along Route 4 continue bragging with vivid shades, and while some leaves are making a slow departure from the treetops—the overall color remains strong. The banks of the Sugar River winding through the region are splashed in gorgeous seasonal shades, so exploring the Sugar River Recreational Rail Trail will be a colorful destination this week.

Monadnock Region: Peak / Past Peak Foliage

In the Monadnock Region, the colors are slowly fading across the landscapes as pockets of peak foliage compete for attention within the forests. In the northern reaches of the region, the color remains bright and bold along trees in Hancock, and we hear Route 202 is framed in foliage this week. While the frost and winds have stolen many leaves from the roadsides, there are still boroughs of color crowded within the forests—and when the winds lift those colorful leaves to dance in the breeze, it’s a spectacular sight. For a scenic drive, we hear taking Route 101 from Keene through Marlborough, picking up Route 124 to Jaffrey, continuing on to Route 202 through Peterborough to Route 101 back through Keene will show off the sights around Mount Monadnock this week!

Merrimack Valley: 75% - Peak Foliage

Autumn’s colorful transformation continues to sweep across the Merrimack Valley, where vibrant shades of crimson, amber, and gold are illuminating communities throughout the region! In Hooksett and Bow, colorful canopies are showcasing rich autumn hues, while occasional olive and lime-green leaves add a final touch of summer to the transitioning landscapes. Around Hollis and Brookline, brilliant orange and golden foliage is creating picturesque scenery, though early leaf loss is beginning to reveal glimpses of bare branches among the colorful treetops. In Pembroke and Allenstown, the contrast between richly colored trees and lingering green foliage offers a beautiful snapshot of the season in transition, with scattered leaves beginning to blanket the ground beneath the canopy. With color continuing to strengthen across the region, now is a wonderful time to take a leisurely drive along the backroads and soak in the Merrimack Valley’s increasingly vibrant autumn scenery!

Seacoast:60-70% Color Change 

Fall foliage continues its journey toward New Hampshire’s Seacoast, where vibrant shades of orange, gold, and crimson are becoming increasingly prominent across the region! Along Route 101, foliage has taken a noticeable step toward late-season conditions, with early leaf loss revealing bare branches among pockets of lingering color. Farther east, communities around Exeter and Stratham are showcasing a growing mix of autumn hues, while shades of red and amber are beginning to emerge closer to the coast. For a scenic stroll surrounded by the season’s changing colors, explore the wooded trails at Stratham Hill Park, where peaceful paths offer a lovely way to experience the transition, or venture to Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, where coastal scenery and colorful foliage create a beautiful backdrop for an autumn walk. While some trees are beginning to shed their leaves, plenty of color remains to be discovered, and the Seacoast’s seasonal transformation is continuing to unfold with every passing day!