October transforms Vermont into nature’s most spectacular art gallery, painting the landscape in brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. From mountain peaks to lakeshores, the Green Mountain State offers countless opportunities to witness one of nature’s greatest shows. Whether you prefer scenic drives, hiking trails, or peaceful lake views, Vermont’s fall foliage season creates memories that last a lifetime. Pack your camera and prepare to be amazed by these eight incredible destinations.
1. Stowe
Known as “Fall’s Color Capital,” this charming mountain town delivers breathtaking views that seem almost too beautiful to be real.
The iconic white steeple of Stowe Community Church creates a stunning contrast against the fiery maple trees and towering Green Mountains. Early to mid-October brings the most vibrant colors, when sugar maples reach their brilliant peak.
Drive the Auto Toll Road at Stowe Mountain Resort for panoramic views that stretch for miles. From this elevated vantage point, you’ll witness an endless carpet of autumn colors rolling across Vermont’s mountainous landscape like nature’s own masterpiece.
2. Smugglers’ Notch Pass
Adventure awaits along Route 108, where Smugglers’ Notch Pass winds through some of Vermont’s most dramatic terrain. This narrow mountain pass feels like driving through a tunnel of gold and crimson during mid-October.
Towering cliffs rise on both sides while dense forests create a canopy of brilliant colors overhead. The winding road adds excitement to your foliage journey, revealing new spectacular views around every curve.
Stop at Bingham Falls for a short hike that leads to a scenic waterfall surrounded by autumn splendor. The combination of rushing water and colorful leaves creates a magical setting that photographers dream about capturing during Vermont’s peak foliage season.
3. Lake Champlain (Burlington Area)
Where brilliant autumn colors meet sparkling blue waters, Lake Champlain creates one of Vermont’s most stunning fall displays. The contrast between fiery foliage and the lake’s deep blue surface is simply breathtaking during early to mid-October.
Take a scenic cruise across the water for unique perspectives of hillsides ablaze with color. The Island Line Trail offers cyclists and walkers spectacular lakeside views framed by sugar maples and birch trees.
Visit Shelburne Farms for the perfect combination of lakeside foliage and classic Vermont farm scenery. Rolling pastures dotted with grazing sheep create a pastoral scene that captures the essence of autumn in New England’s most beautiful state.
4. Woodstock
Step into a postcard at Woodstock, where New England charm reaches its absolute peak during autumn. This quintessential Vermont village showcases everything visitors dream about: covered bridges, rolling hills, and historic farms surrounded by spectacular fall colors.
Sleepy Hollow Farm becomes a photographer’s paradise in early to mid-October, though remember to admire this private property respectfully from the road. The farm’s red barns and grazing animals create classic Vermont scenes against hillsides painted in autumn’s finest hues.
Explore forest trails at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, where well-maintained paths wind through groves of sugar maples and oak trees. Walking these peaceful trails feels like discovering nature’s secret gallery of fall masterpieces.
5. Green Mountain Byway (Route 100 & Route 125)
Cruise through Vermont’s foliage heartland along the Green Mountain Byway, where Routes 100 and 125 showcase the state’s most spectacular autumn scenery. This scenic drive passes through Warren, Waitsfield, and Middlebury Gap during early to mid-October’s peak colors.
Stop at Texas Falls for a short hike that rewards visitors with cascading water surrounded by brilliant maples and birches. The combination of flowing streams and autumn colors creates picture-perfect moments around every bend.
Explore the Mad River Valley for authentic Vermont experiences, including farm stands selling fresh apple cider donuts and locally made maple syrup. These roadside treasures add delicious flavors to your foliage adventure while supporting local Vermont communities.
6. Mount Mansfield (Vermont’s Highest Peak)
From Vermont’s highest summit, autumn spreads out below like an endless quilt of gold, red, and orange. Mount Mansfield offers bird’s-eye views that transform fall foliage viewing into an unforgettable experience during late September to early October.
Take the Gondola SkyRide at Stowe for easy access to elevated views, or challenge yourself with a hike along the famous Long Trail. Higher elevations change colors first, creating unique opportunities to witness autumn’s progression across the landscape.
Check weather conditions before your visit, as mountain temperatures drop significantly with elevation. Bring warm layers and prepare for potentially chilly conditions at the summit, where panoramic views reward visitors with Vermont’s most spectacular autumn vistas.
7. Quechee Gorge
Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon” becomes even more impressive when surrounded by vibrant fall foliage during mid-October. Quechee Gorge combines dramatic geological features with some of the state’s most brilliant autumn colors for truly spectacular scenery.
Walk across the Quechee Gorge Bridge for stunning views into the canyon, where colorful trees cling to steep rocky walls. The contrast between ancient stone formations and brilliant fall foliage creates a unique landscape found nowhere else in Vermont.
Visit the nearby Simon Pearce Mill to watch skilled artisans create beautiful glasswork, then enjoy lunch at their riverside restaurant. This combination of natural beauty, local craftsmanship, and delicious food makes Quechee Gorge a perfect autumn destination.
8. Northeast Kingdom (Route 114 & Route 5A)
Escape the crowds in Vermont’s most remote and unspoiled region, where the Northeast Kingdom offers authentic autumn beauty during mid to late October. This pristine area showcases fall colors without the commercial development found elsewhere.
Lake Willoughby creates mirror-like reflections of steep cliffs covered in brilliant foliage, while Routes 114 and 5A wind through forests that seem untouched by time. The dramatic landscape feels wild and mysterious during peak foliage season.
Stop at Burke Mountain for hiking trails or take a scenic chairlift ride above the treeline. From these elevated perspectives, the Northeast Kingdom reveals its secrets: endless forests, hidden lakes, and autumn colors that stretch to the Canadian border.
