Fall Foliage Report

September 16, 2025

It’s Official: The Foliage Season Has Begun! With fresh sparks of color appearing across the state’s forests, fall is beginning to leave evidence of its arrival in landscapes across New Hampshire.  Check back on Tuesdays and Fridays for updated reports throughout the season.

Great North Woods:  10-15% Color Change

In New Hampshire’s northernmost region, the treetops are already beginning to change, with new swatches of color appearing each day. While some trees are already glowing with vibrant reds and oranges in northern towns like Pittsburg, others farther south, near Lancaster, are only just beginning to change. It’s typical to find the earliest color in areas of high elevation, so getting out on the trails is a great way to find foliage this week.

White Mountains Region:  10-15% Color Change

Foliage has begun its arrival in the White Mountains, with early colors reported North of the Notches around the Jefferson and Whitefield areas. We hear the colors have been changing rapidly, so you can expect to see varying conditions across the region this week as landscapes are still majorly green. Higher elevations will showcase trees comingled with orange and yellow leaves where the foliage has begun to transition. In Gorham, some fully-turned trees are present in the landscapes, with pale orange and golden leaves hiding amongst green canopies.

Lakes Region:  5-10% Color Change

Landscapes are just beginning to blush with foliage in the Lakes Region. Pale orange and lime-colored leaves can be spotted within forests, but a widespread change has not graced the landscapes just yet. Cooling overnight temperatures have led to crisp mornings, while the afternoons have remained warm and sunny – delivering ideal conditions for developing foliage as we move into the weeks ahead. Driving along backroads across the region will likely reveal early spots of color, so keep your eyes peeled.

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: 5-10% Color Change

Leaves in the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region can be seen fading into lime green and pale yellow shades at varying locations. We hear of more color arriving to the northeast part of the region, particularly in towns near Danbury and Andover. Some eager trees have begun to brag with fiery red leaves seen from higher elevations, calling attention among unchanged forests. For those looking to catch the early sights, taking a drive along the region’s backroads is a perfect way to hunt for whispers of foliage hidden among the quieter landscapes.

Monadnock Region:  5-10% Color Change

The Monadnock Region has taken on an overall hue of golden as the foliage fades into fall colors. While bursts of color can be spotted in green forests, the landscapes have not fully begun to glow with vibrant colors just yet. The usual suspects for early color include Swamp Maples grown near wetlands, which have started to pop with deep red hues across the region. We can expect more color development to arrive over the coming weeks as overnight temperatures continue to drop.

Merrimack Valley:  5-10% Color Change

Forests in the Merrimack Valley are beginning their gentle transformation, with canopies fading into soft shades of lime green and early hints of gold. Scattered among the greenery, some trees are already showcasing fiery red and warm orange accents, adding subtle pops of color to the landscape. Driving through Manchester and Concord, you’ll notice early-turned trees lining the roadways, quietly announcing the arrival of fall. With cooler nights settling in, these early changes promise to deepen and spread throughout the valley in the coming weeks.

Seacoast:  5% Color Change

Widespread color has not yet arrived to the Seacoast, but rare and early bursts of foliage have been spotted hiding within landscapes. You will find lime green and pale orange leaves along roadsides north of Dover, while landscapes in the southernmost part of the state remain strong in summer shades of green.