Where, When East Coast Fall Foliage is at Peak

Autumn Color Peaks in Appalachians Mid-September to Early November

Aug 24, 2009 Karen Berger

Hikers, backpackers, drivers, and cyclsts can all revel in the East Coast's famed autumn foliage from September till November. The Appalachian Mountains are a highlight.

Autumn is prime time for outdoor activities. Whether it's hiking biking, driving, or paddling, autumn offers a beautiful backdrop for outdoor adventure. In the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, a rainbow of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples are set off by the greens and blue-greens of pines and spruce, framed by a clear blue sky that seems to deepen and shimmer as the sun trends southward. Temperatures are mild, and the mosquitoes and blackflies have all fled.

When to Find Peak Foliage on the East Coast

Every year, there is great debate in foliage country about just exactly when peak season will be. The answer is based on some mysterious combination of summer sun, rainfall, and when the first cold snap hits. But generally, the foliage peaks at around the same time, give or take a few days, in each location each year.

Peak autumn color depends on latitude. It also depends on elevation: Foliage turns earlier high up than it does down in the valleys. What this means is that a family planning a foliage drive or an autumn vacation can almost always find great foliage at a destination simply by changing their elevation: If trees are still green in the valleys, head to the mountain roads for more color. If the mountain roads are already barren, head downhill.

As a general rule, colors start to change at Maine's highest elevations by early September and reach peak in mid-September. In central New England, mid-October is peak, while the Mid-Atlantic states are brilliant in late October. Down south, the season is a little longer, except at the higher elevations.

Peak Foliage in the Appalachian Mountains and Along the Appalachian Trail

No doubt about it, the Appalachian Mountains are the East Coast's prime outdoor destination. The range contains Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, the Appalachian Trail, and elevations ranging from 6,600 feet to near sea-level. Multi-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Greg Walter compiled a fall foliage guide that gives the approximate date range of peak foliage in an average year. Note that perfectly lovely autumn foliage runs a week or two more on either side of the peak.

Here are some highlights that combine some of the East Coast's most dramatic terrain with its best fall color:

• White Mountain New Hampshire and Green Mountains, Vermont: Foliage peaks in late September to early October. These are the iconic fall foliage trips, attracting visitors from all over the world to see the brilliant forests accented by flaming red sugar maples. In the White Mountains, Don't miss the Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch. A trip up the Mt. Washington Auto Road is also possible, but be wary: The weather can turn severely wintery this time of year. In Vermont, Route 7 is the main artery through the Green Mountains.
• Berkshire County, Massachusetts: Mid-October. The rolling Berkshires hills and farmlands are dotted with white-steepled churches and small villages. Only a 2 1/2 hour drive from New York City, this is a premiere place for leaf-peeing city dwellers. Scenic drives (including the newly re-opened auto road up Mt. Greylock), hiking, and apple picking are popular weekend activities. Don't forget to stop at a farmer's market.
• Delaware Water Gap, on the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania border: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area occupies a spectacular cleft in the Appalachian Mountains. A short (but very uphill) day-hike goes to Sunfish Pond, which is a beautiful glacial tarn that reflects the autumn color. Foliage peaks in late October.
• Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The Appalachian Trail runs the length of the park, and there are scores of other day hikes, many of which can be accessed from the famous Skyline Drive along the ridge. A justly popular climb of Old Rag, a freestanding mountain a few miles from the main ridge, gives sweeping views of the eastern side of the Shenandoahs. Peak foliage is in late October.
• Mt. Rogers National Recreational Area in south-western Virginia has horse trails and hiking trails. Nearby is the Virginia Creeper trail, popular with mountain bikers. The mountains here are spectacular, with large open spaces called balds, and dramatic rock outcroppings, and have the feel of much bigger mountains, with sweeping open vistas. Peak foliage is late October.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The nation's most visited national park has some of the highest terrain on the entire East Coast, including Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail. Clingman's Dome boasts a look-out tower that gives views of the colored hills in every direction. Peak foliage at the higher elevations is early October; in the valleys, it runs through the end of October.

Clearly, travelers looking for peak autumn foliage and spectacular landscapes have lots of options. No matter when Mother Nature decides to set the autumn foliage show in motion, anyone on the East Coast with a free weekend between mid-September and November should be able to find a spectacular view.

For more information on the Appalachian Trail, see the A..T. Resource Guide.

For more on peak foliage, see Foliage in Northern New England and Foliage in Southern New England..

The copyright of the article Where, When East Coast Fall Foliage is at Peak in Volunteer & Eco Adventures is owned by Karen Berger. Permission to republish Where, When East Coast Fall Foliage is at Peak in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Fall Foliage in Maine