Fall Foliage Report: Fall Color Is Taking Over the White Mountains!
Fall color is taking over the White Mountains, and the views are getting even more impressive! 🍁 Brilliant yellows, fiery oranges, and vibrant reds are spreading across the mountainsides, with some of the strongest color now showing in the northern and western parts of the region. Meanwhile, the Mount Washington Valley and Eastern White Mountains still have plenty of color ahead. Wherever your fall travels take you, expect a landscape that’s changing day by day — and plenty of reasons to take the scenic route.
October 2, 2026:
Where to Find the Best Color Right Now
Franconia Notch & Western White Mountains - 90-95%
Color continues to build quickly across the Western White Mountains, with reds, oranges and yellows covering most of the landscape. The hillsides are filling in, and scenic routes throughout the area are offering plenty of beautiful fall views right now. With color changing daily, this is a great time to explore the western side of the region.
Make a day of it: Explore our One Day Western White Mountains Fall Itinerary for ideas to pair your foliage drive with local attractions, seasonal treats and stops around the Lincoln-Woodstock area.
North of the Notches - 85%
The Northern White Mountains are showing some of the strongest color in the region right now- likely around 85% of the way to peak foliage. Vibrant oranges and reds are mixed throughout a sea of golden yellow, with especially beautiful color through the notches and across the surrounding mountainsides. If you’re heading north this weekend, expect plenty of classic fall scenery along the way.
Make a day of it: Follow our One Day Northern White Mountains Fall Itinerary and combine your drive through Crawford Notch with more fall adventures throughout the northern part of the region
The Northern White Mountains are showing some of the strongest color in the region right now- likely around 85% of the way to peak foliage. Vibrant oranges and reds are mixed throughout a sea of golden yellow, with especially beautiful color through the notches and across the surrounding mountainsides. If you’re heading north this weekend, expect plenty of classic fall scenery along the way.
Make a day of it: Follow our One Day Northern White Mountains Fall Itinerary and combine your drive through Crawford Notch with more fall adventures throughout the northern part of the region
Mount Washington Valley & Eastern White Mountains - 55%
The Mount Washington Valley and Eastern White Mountains are starting to show more fall color, with yellows, oranges and pockets of red appearing among the remaining green. At around 50-55%, there’s still plenty of change ahead — which means another burst of color is on the way. Expect the landscape to continue changing quickly as this part of the region moves further into the season.
Plan ahead: Our One Day Eastern White Mountains Fall Itinerary is a great starting point for exploring the Mount Washington Valley as the color continues to develop.
Waterville Valley & Southern White Mountains - 45%
Fall color is quickly taking over the lower elevations, with vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds filling in across the hillsides and valleys. Peak foliage is approaching, and the scenery is changing by the day — making the next several days a beautiful time for a scenic drive, hike, or fall getaway. If Waterville Valley is on your fall list, you’ll want to make your way this direction soon!
Take the scenic route: Our One Day Southern White Mountains Fall Itinerary offers ideas for turning a foliage drive into a full day of exploring.
Turn Your Foliage Drive Into a Road Trip
One of the best things about foliage season in the White Mountains is that you don't need to have just one destination. Pick a route, give yourself plenty of time, and enjoy the stops along the way.
For classic White Mountains scenery: Travel the Kancamagus Highway between Lincoln and Conway. Stop at designated overlooks and recreation areas along the way, then continue into the Mount Washington Valley or return to Lincoln-Woodstock.
For a full-day foliage loop: Follow the White Mountains Trail, our 100-mile National Scenic Byway through some of the region's most spectacular mountain scenery, including Franconia Notch, Crawford Notch and the Kancamagus Highway.
For something a little quieter: Skip the busiest routes and explore one of our Scenic Foliage Drives Off the Beaten Path, where you'll find colorful backroads, small towns and plenty of reasons to slow down.
🚗 A Few Tips for Your Foliage Drive
Leaf-peeping traffic is beginning to pick up, particularly along the Kancamagus Highway and through Franconia and Crawford Notches. Give yourself extra time, watch for pedestrians around overlooks and trailheads, and please only pull over in designated parking areas.
Foliage conditions can vary considerably by elevation and even from one side of the mountains to the other. That means there is no single "peak" day for the entire White Mountains — and that's good news! Over the next couple of weeks, there should be plenty of opportunities to find beautiful color somewhere in the region.
Our best advice? Don't just chase "peak." Pick an area that's showing good color, choose a scenic route or itinerary, and enjoy everything you discover along the way.
The colors are here, and every day brings something new to see!
See something spectacular while you're exploring? Share the view by tagging @yeswhitemountains or upload your foliage photo below to help others see what's happening around the White Mountains. Share your foliage photos to our Public Uploader for a chance to be featured. Tag us (#whitemountains, @whitemountains).
