MONTPELIER, Vt. –Bright bursts of color are beginning to emerge in typical fashion across higher elevations and in the low-lying areas of the state, setting the stage for an outstanding fall foliage season.
With the current forecast calling for sunny skies and cool nights this week and the combination of adequate soil moisture and healthy green leaves, Vermont foresters are predicting an excellent fall season. In the early stages of fall foliage, the best color can generally be found in higher elevations, the northern sections of the state, and in low-lying areas around Vermont.
 “For those who wish to get an early start on the season, a good place to start is the northern portion of the state and the upper elevation areas,” said Raymond Toolan, Lamoille/Orleans County Forester. “For those who prefer the roads, pick pretty much any road in the northern third of the state. My own preference is being in a canoe or kayak on a variety of ponds and lakes. Willoughby, Seymour, Elmore, Eden, Wolcott and Green River are all great spots.”
Best Bets: The first indicator of actual foliage season can be seen in the higher elevations in the northerly most parts of the state. In the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont Route 114 from East Burke through Norton and up along the border to Canaan offers some great early season opportunities for color. Look for low-lying hardwood swamps where cold night air settles, producing brilliant red flares of color.
“We are seeing what we call ‘early color’ in northern Vermont, and the best examples are in the higher elevations along streams and swamps,” said Ginger Anderson, Chief of Forest Management for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. “The wild apples are starting to show good color, as are the wild asters, late goldenrod and hydrangeas. You can find these near cemeteries, parks and yards. ”
Route 12 between Morrisville and Montpelier is showing some small bursts of color, and some foliage is emerging on Route 15 between Jericho and Johnson, Route 108 between Stowe and Cambridge, and Route 2 between Plainfield and St. Johnsbury. Spots of color can be seen along Interstate 89 as well.
In southern Vermont, early fall colors can be found around wetlands and bodies of water at higher elevations. Pockets of color are showing on Route 9 west of Brattleboro and in the higher elevations of Route 100 between Wilmington and Ludlow. In Bennington County, roads through the Green Mountain and Taconic Mountain Ranges are showing some reds and yellows in individual trees and small pockets.
In general, higher elevations will offer the most panoramic views of emerging color across the valleys, and many swamp or marsh areas will offer some of the most vivid and varied early season change.
The Vermont Hospitality Council advises making advance reservations because the most popular lodgings may fill early on busy weekends in late September and the first two weekends in October. Some innkeepers may require a minimum two-night stay, especially on busy weekends.
Vermont tourism officials encourage visitors to take advantage of midweek specials during the foliage season as part of its statewide “Midweek Peek” promotion. Deals range from discounted lodging to free Vermont products.
This section of our Web site has several tools for planning your 2009 Vermont Fall Foliage tour including:
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