Still Time For A Road Trip

By Staff Report, InDepth NH

“To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together this map showing when peak foliage has historically been spotted in each region of the state, using data gathered over the past five years by our team of leaf peepers. Remember- this is just an estimate, so be sure to check back for our weekly updated foliage reports and foliage tracker as the season begins to find out exactly where the best colors can be spotted at any time,” the VisitNH website states.

Track New Hampshire’s fall foliage in real time and discover the best scenic drives and locations for peak autumn colors.

www.visitnh.gov › plan-your-trip › fallVisit NH | Foliage Tracker

Foliage Report for October 9, 2026

Autumn is reaching a dazzling crescendo across New Hampshire just in time for the long weekend, with brilliant color sweeping from the northern notches to the southern hillsides. With so many regions glowing in fiery reds, shimmering golds, and warm amber tones, this is the perfect stretch of days to get out, explore, and soak in the very best of fall.

Great North Woods: Peak / Past Peak

In New Hampshire’s northernmost region, foliage conditions are mixed with swirls of bold color still painted across landscapes from Lancaster through Gorham. In Dixville Notch, decadent shades of amber sway along treetops, and while the hillsides are beginning to shed leaves, the remaining color is only more striking against the bare branches. This weekend, a ride along Route 110 is likely to be a colorful route, so take your time and plan for plenty of stops to admire the bounty of vibrant foliage. Along the way, be sure to visit the iconic Stark Covered Bridge for a picturesque photo opp, or leave time to visit Weeks State Park for 360 degree views of the area under the deep haze of autumn.

White Mountains Region: 85% – Peak Foliage

From Franconia Notch north, the western White Mountains have officially hit peak foliage! Forests are cloaked in a rich tapestry of gold, ruby, and amber from the mountaintops through the roadways, and the sights are just breathtaking. Conditions across the region vary, so while peak foliage may be present north of the notches, the remainder of the region is still developing those final bursts of color. We hear Route 118 is splashed in captivating shades of yellow and gold, but many trees have already begun losing their leaves. The shores of nearby Elbow Pond in Warren are glittered with sparkling shades of red, orange, and lime this weekend. South of Woodstock, the colors are still developing at a slower pace with only pockets of bright foliage visible currently, but more color will arrive in time. Across the Mount Washington Valley and the eastern White Mountains, we’re seeing colors just shy of peak conditions, where green leaves continue to mingle with their vibrant counterparts, but the existing color still continues to mesmerize. Don’t forget to check out Attitash’s Oktoberfest this weekend, or simply plan a leisurely drive to search for the famed Pumpkin People through North Conway and Jackson for a seasonal scavenger hunt!

Lakes Region: 35-65% Color Change

Colors across the Lakes Region are brewing at higher elevations and are just starting to bubble down into the landscapes below. The rolling mountaintops in Plymouth are currently splashed in a speckled mix of orange and red, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the dark evergreens. Around town, there are pockets of blazing color nestled in transitioning landscapes and the collection of scarlet red leaves scattered about are especially glowy. The Ossipee Mountain Range has also welcomed a new wave of color this week, with a red haze settling in to transform the landscapes below. From the summit of Mount Roberts, peak conditions have cloaked the hillsides in a wash of auburn, pumpkin, and gold where the views are absolutely showstopping. This weekend, make time for a scenic ride to hunt for transitional sights—or head out for a hike in the region to see the best early colors! Don’t forget to pay a visit to the annual Sandwich Fair this weekend for plenty of food, fun, and foliage!

Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region: 55-75% Color Change

Across this western region, conditions are mixed at lower elevations with lots of green leaves still present in the landscapes while some of the earliest turned trees have begun shedding leaves. The seasonal transition has progressed further this week, and conditions are changing rapidly so budget extra time this weekend to explore back roads, visit small towns, and check out local trails to see the sights! If you’re looking for early peak conditions, check out Ragged Mountain in Danbury, whose slopes are illuminated in swells of glowing orange, lemon, and rouge leaves billowing in the breeze. From the summit of Mount Kearsarge, landscapes below are dappled in waves of orange, pops of red, and a soft yellow haze. This weekend, get your autumn fill at the Warner Fall Foliage Festival, celebrating the seasonal sights with family-friendly activities all weekend long.

Monadnock Region: 55-75% Color Change

The Monadnock Region continues to shine with bold color, welcoming new shades just starting to pop in the landscapes and ushering out the first of the eager leaves which transformed weeks ago. Forests around Milford are simply brimming with new shades of color this week, just in time for the annual Milford Pumpkin Festival! We hear the landscapes in Antrim are particularly colorful this weekend, and there is strong color everywhere with shades just beginning to soften. This weekend, a ride along the Monadnock Region Loop will display the region’s canopies studded with bold foliage, along which countless postcard-worthy stops await. The distant mountains and hillsides remain coated in a deep haze of orange and gold, creating a striking contrast as the backdrop to this beautiful region!

Merrimack Valley: 40-50% Color Change

Color continues to build in the Merrimack Valley, where pockets of bold foliage are visible across the region but there is still more development ahead. Benson’s Park in Hudson has transitioned into early autumn color, and forests in surrounding towns have followed suit, showcasing soft shades of autumn that will continue to develop in the coming weeks. We hear Route 106 continues to decorate roadsides with whisps of orange and golden leaves, making for a seasonal ride this weekend. The forests at Canterbury Shaker Village are really starting to percolate with vivid shades of caramel, cherry, and honey—so make time this weekend for a visit to see the sights! At this transitional stage, a leisurely walk along the sculptured trails at Andres Institute of Art is a great way to get out and see the early sights as more color settles in to stay!

Seacoast: 35-45% Color Change

Across the Seacoast, foliage is slowly transforming landscapes into colorful patchworks with fresh bursts of red, orange, and gold. Colors are deepening into shades of burgundy, auburn, and russet along Route 101 from Raymond towards the coast, and conditions along the drive showcase pockets of bright color mixed with unchanged and darkening leaves like a seasonal gauge. This weekend, a visit to explore Pawtuckaway State Park will reveal dreamy landscapes blushed in early foliage, where soft tones of auburn and gold are beginning to stand out in the forests. Trees are beginning to transform in downtown Exeter, introducing soft shades of gold and orange to light up the town—just in time for the annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival taking place this weekend! This weekend will also be a perfect opportunity to enjoy classic fall activities like apple picking, cider tasting, or getting lost in a corn maze as autumn unfolds across the region. And don’t forget to check out Somersworth’s annual Pumpkin Festival this weekend!

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.