2026 Fall Foliage Forecast Highlights Delayed Peak in New England
The 2026 fall foliage season is expected to arrive slightly later than usual across the United States, with peak colors moving from north to south starting in late September. New England remains a top destination for leaf-peeping, with Northern Maine and New Hampshire’s White Mountains leading the charge in early October. By mid-month, Vermont’s Route 100 and Green Mountain National Forest will showcase vibrant hues. Coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island offer extended viewing opportunities into early November. In the Mid-Atlantic, the Adirondacks peak in late September, followed by the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Shenandoah National Park, with Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon expected to peak by late October. The Great Smoky Mountains boast one of the longest foliage seasons, with higher elevations changing in early October and lower elevations holding color into November. The Rockies and West Coast also promise stunning displays, with Colorado’s aspens and Washington’s mountain larches leading the way. 
