MONTPELIER, Vt. – A foliage display that has been gently teasing us for weeks now is flourishing across many parts of Vermont. This bodes well for excellent color over wide areas of Vermont this week and coming weekend.
Given that temperatures remained summer-like well into October, color progression over the last few days has been truly remarkable. Color change has accelerated with many more reds and oranges emerging to complement the more subtle yellows that had been predominant until recently.
 Best Bets: Route 2 between St. Johnsbury and East Montpelier is showing bright color, as is Route 15 from Jericho to Walden. In central Vermont, you’ll find near-peak color on Route 12 between Montpelier and Worcester, Route 12A from Randolph to Roxbury, Route 14 from East Montpelier to Hardwick, and Route 100 in the Mad River Valley,
Route 100 south from Granville to Killington is at peak with sugar maples displaying brilliant shades of orange and gold.
Route 7 from Middlebury to Manchester offers beautiful views from east to west with bright fall colors on the hills and distant mountains. The swamp maples along Lake Bomoseen and Otter Creek in Sudbury are especially colorful along Route 30 from Cornwall to Castleton, and you’ll see a kaleidoscope of colors on Route 22A from Poultney to Bridport.
Also recommended for mid to near peak foliage viewing are Route 4 west from Rutland to Fairhaven, Route 73 west from Brandon to Mount Independence, and Route 74 from West Cornwall to Lake Champlain.
There are pockets of color in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties with spots of bright red, orange and yellow along the hillsides and wetland areas.
Dozens of continuing and special events for the coming week and weekend are listed in the Events Calendar of the Vermont Travel Planner. Also available on this Web site are several tools for planning a Vermont Fall Foliage tour:
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing advises making advance reservations because the most popular lodgings may fill early on busy weekends in late September and the first two weekends in October. Some innkeepers may require a minimum two-night stay, especially on busy weekends. Foliage viewers can avoid the reservations’ squeeze by visiting mid-week. |
