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2021 Foliage Season is Peaking!

By Vermont.com StaffOct. 7, 2021

October 7, 2021
Vermont is starting to see peak colors in many parts of the state right now. We recommend Route 100 as one of the best drives this time of year because there are several elevation changes that will give you a wide variety of color to see, and it goes the entire length of the state! Keep checking back here as we continue to gather foliage reports from our "Leaf Squad" for foliage conditions throughout Vermont. We will try to update our reports once a week, on Thursdays.

If you can't make it to Vermont during this year's Fall Foliage Season, you can find some gorgeous Vermont Fall scenery in our Autumn Photo Gallery, thanks to local photographers and visitors to Vermont. But truly, you've got to be here to fully enjoy the leaves. And remember, it's never too late to plan a fall vacation in Vermont!

-- Vermont.com


Foliage color generally starts to change in the higher, cooler areas, spreading down into the valleys, and moving from north to south across the state.

'Peak' colors can be found at many different times & places as the season progresses, and the timing varies from year to year, based on the weather.

Beyond leaf peeping, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Vermont’s mountains, meadows and villages during the fall. Discover Vermont Fall Festivals and other fun things to do in Vermont with our Vermont.com Calendar of Events. Don't see your event? Feel free to suggest an event so we can add it to our Calendar.


COVID-19 NOTICE

Due to the Delta variant, things are changing rapidly. We recommend that if you are planning to attend an event in Vermont, please check directly with the event to see if it has been rescheduled.


FOLIAGE REPORTS FROM AROUND THE STATE

The Vermont.com Foliage Reports are provided thanks to the Vermont Department of Tourism, and by volunteer members of our "Leaf Squad" from around the state. You can send us a foliage report , for your area of Vermont, including a photo, description, and the location & date when the photo was taken.

To view past Foliage Reports, visit the Vermont.com Blog.

For more info on current conditions, call Vermont's Seasonal Hotline at (802)828-3239 ... and tell them Vermont.com sent you!

NORTHERN VERMONT:

October 5, 2021 in Stowe, VT
Stoweflake - Scot Baraw - 091421 Scott Baraw - Stoweflake - 10/05/21
"It’s peak color, especially at higher elevations. It was nice on Saturday but rained on Sunday and Monday. Looking for a beautiful remainder of the week getting into the low 70’s. I predict Fantastic color for the next week. We will be at peak here in the valley for the next several days. No big rain, wind or cold predicted, so foliage should hang around for some time. This picture was taken on Saturday. The single tree is now past peak and losing leaves ... but this is always the first tree to start and end.

Come to the Annual Stowe Foliage Arts Festival this weekend, October 8th - 10th!"

-- Scot Baraw,
Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa

CENTRAL VERMONT:

October 5, 2021 in Ludlow, VT
Russell - Okemo Ridge Road - 09/26/21 Russell - Okemo Ridge Road - 10/05/21
"There have been a lot of changes within the past week at Okemo. The mountain now is mostly red, although the valley still has a lot of green. You can see the difference in these two pictures from Okemo Ridge Road, from Sept. 26 and Oct. 5."

-- Russell, Leaf Peeper

SOUTHERN VERMONT:

October 7, 2021 in Manchester, VT
Manchester View - Robin Green - 092921"The North Entrance of the Manchester View has some great color popping! Autumn 2021 is putting on the longest leaf-peeping show in southern Vermont's recent history. It's a much-appreciated gift from Mother Nature. The weather has been a little warmer this week than last with close to 60 degrees and light breezes. To catch a lovely leaf-peeping day trip, drive from 'The View' to Routes 11/30 to Londonderry and take Route 100 to Weston. Continue north to Woodstock if you have more time."

-- Robin Green,
The Manchester View


October 5, 2021 in Bondville, VT

Stratton - Zach Gould - Fall Mountain - 20211006
Photographer: Zach Gould

"We're in the week of peak here in southern Vermont. The trees have really popped this past week, bringing near peak fall colors to the mountain, just in time for the long weekend. Take in the fall sights at Stratton's annual HarvestFest celebration on Saturday, October 9 with scenic gondola rides, live music, brew fest, kid's activities and more all under the spectacular autumn leaves."

-- Andrew Kimiecik,
Stratton Mountain Resort


October 6, 2021 in Londonderry, VT
Renee Smith - Londonderry - 09/09/21   VTC - Renee Smith - Londonderry - 093021   VTC - Renee Smith - Londonderry - 093021
"I think we're pretty close to peak right now and the leaves in my neighborhood are absolutely stunning. I love driving between Londonderry and Manchester along Route 11/30 with a stop at the scenic overlook at Bromley Mountain. You can get a really good view of all the colors in the valley, with Stratton Mountain and Magic Mountain in the distance."

-- Renee-Marie Smith,
Vermont.com

STATEWIDE:

October 7, 2021
"Vermont’s fall foliage season is unfolding with a delightful variety of conditions across the state. Nearly all stages of color development can be found. While the Northeast Kingdom and higher elevations of north and central Vermont are or will soon be in peak conditions, much of the state’s foliage is still showing early and mid-season color. This year’s show has been beautiful, if tantalizingly gradual as summer-like weather continues into early fall.

Among the highlights of the season so far are red maple, with particularly long-lasting color, as the dependably show-stealing maples are aglow with photo-worthy oranges and reds, while yellow hues from birch complement the display. Another standout this year is ash, which can sometimes be overlooked, showing off a range of colors from yellow to purple. And although it’s still early in southern and western parts of the state, color is coming on strong there, too. As we enter Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend with more mild and inviting weather forecast, seize every opportunity to get outside and enjoy this storybook time of year."

-- Mike Snyder, Commissioner of Forest, Parks and Recreation,
Vermont Department of Tourism

To view current Foliage Reports, visit the Vermont.com Foliage Reports page.
To view past Foliage Reports, visit the Vermont.com Blog.

By Vermont.com StaffOct. 7, 2021
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