Fall Foliage Report

Foliage Report for October 16, 2026

Great North Woods: Past Peak 

Autumn’s colorful display is winding down across New Hampshire’s northernmost region, where the final traces of foliage are fading into the season’s quieter landscapes. Around Pittsburg and the northern reaches of the region, most leaves have departed from the treetops, leaving behind skeletal branches and scattered splashes of lingering gold. Father south, communities including Lancaster and Gorham still offer pockets of vibrant color, where the remaining shades of amber and rust stand out against increasingly bare forests. For a scenic autumn drive, follow Route 110 through the landscapes surrounding Stark and Groveton, where winding roads and rural vistas offer opportunities to admire the last remnants of fall color. In Berlin, the season’s festivities continue this Saturday with RiverFire, a beloved fall tradition featuring family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and spectacular bonfires illuminating the Androscoggin River after dark.

White Mountains Region:  Peak/Past Peak Foliage 

Autumn’s spectacular display continues across the White Mountains where rolling hills and towering peaks remain adorned in rich shades of crimson, copper, and gold. In North Conway and Bartlett, vibrant colors still illuminate the landscape, creating breathtaking views throughout the Mount Washington Valley as the season’s final colors emerge. Around Franconia and Sugar Hill, foliage is transitioning toward late-season hues, with many trees beginning to shed their leaves while pockets of brilliant color remain. Meanwhile, the landscapes surrounding Twin Mountain and Jefferson continue to showcase stunning autumn scenery, with sweeping mountainside views revealing a beautiful patchwork of lingering color at higher elevations. This weekend will be a great opportunity to get out and explore trails off the beaten path, take a scenic ride along colorful backroads, and enjoy the last of the seasonal views.

Lakes Region:  75% Color Change - Peak Folaige

The Lakes Region is glowing with near peak foliage, where hillsides and lakeshores are bursting with brilliant color! The forests in Plymouth are abundantly decorated in vivid shades of orange, gold, and lime leaves. This weekend will be the perfect time to explore downtown or hike a local trail to see the area in peak condition! Or chase the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee along the Lakes Tour scenic driving route to take in the colorful sights. While conditions are varied across the region, some incredible hues have arrived this week and there is color just about everywhere you look. We hear Belmont is just bursting with color, and while landscapes are still mixed and have not completely transformed, the transition is stunning as trees present both summer greens and exciting shades of orange, red, and yellow. The quaint Slippery Rock Crossing covered bridge in downtown Belmont will be a great photo opp this weekend, framed in glowing orange and red leaves. Don’t miss your chance to get out and see the sights while the leaves are vibrant!

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: 75-90% Color Change

Wow! This western region has welcomed waves of gorgeous color across the landscapes. While conditions are varied, you’ll find large areas of peak foliage mixed with pockets of trees still working on their transition and trees who have already shed their leaves. The mix of conditions only makes the landscapes pop that much more! Wadleigh State Park is a great destination to enjoy the foliage show along the shores of Kezar Lake, so be sure to save time for a visit this weekend! In the Sunapee area, peak conditions have exploded the landscapes into a fireworks show of burning red, orange, and golden. It’s a great time to check out Sunapee Harbor under the guise of autumn. Newbury is also shaded in wonderful color, and a ride along the Sunapee Loop scenic drive is sure to grant colorful views through the weekend.

Monadnock Region: 75-90% Color Change 

Across the Monadnock Region, deep shades of foliage have camouflaged landscapes. Some of the earliest turned trees have faded into deeper tones of russet and bronze, but the leaves still shimmer along treetops, decorating the region for the season. There are still colorful sights along Route 101 heading through Keene, and along most backroads in the region! From the summit of Mount Monadnock, the landscapes below are seen in mixed condition, with some towns simply glowing with color while other areas are still cloaked in summer shades of green. We can expect to see the final transitions of the season over the next week or so. There are beautiful shades of salmon, orange, and lemon shading the views from Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, which can be a scenic escape this weekend. And don’t forget the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival returns on Saturday, bringing a beloved autumn tradition to life with glowing jack-o-lanterns, fall festivities, and plenty of seasonal charm!

Merrimack Valley: 65-80% Color Change 

We are seeing stronger conditions by the day in the Merrimack Valley, where towns have become illuminated in glowing color across the region! Downtown Milford has welcomed vibrant orange leaves to decorate the town center, mixed with lemon and lime shades along transitioning trees. Route 101 between Bedford and Amherst is reportedly coasted in delightful shades, so be on the lookout if you’re in the area! In Manchester, there are pockets of peak colors comingled with unchanged trees, and the contrast is striking in the landscapes. We hear route 106 from Concord through Loudon is showing off with impressive shades of auburn, gold, and scarlet—and forests in the surrounding towns are presenting similar conditions. Views from the Oak Hill Tower in Concord will reveal a landscape blushed in gentle autumn hues, and is likely worth a climb this weekend for early views! And don’t forget the annual Goffstown Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Regatta is taking place on Saturday and Sunday, so don’t miss out on the fun!

Seacoast: 45-60% Color Change 

It’s finally beginning to feel like Fall on New Hampshire’s Seacoast, where new shades are decorating landscapes across the region as they make their transition into the autumn season. There is particularly strong color appearing along treetops from Epping towards the coast, and Route 27 is brimming with new shades of orange and red mixed with lemon and lime colored leaves. We haven’t yet seen a widespread shift in the landscape, as many leaves remain stubbornly green, but the transition is expected to unfold beautifully over the next few weeks. This weekend will be a great opportunity to partake in seasonal activities like exploring a corn maze, strolling downtowns, or perhaps stepping back in time for a Halloween adventure at the Ghosts on the Banke celebration kicking off at Strawbery Banke this weekend!