Concord, NH – New Hampshire officials have released the state’s 2025 fall foliage forecast, mapping out when each region is expected to reach peak color — and reminding travelers to keep their eyes on the road.
According to the NH Office of Highway Safety, brilliant reds and golds are already starting to show along the Kancamagus Highway and Franconia Notch. The agency urged drivers to plan ahead, hand the phone to a passenger, and “celebrate the season, not a close call.”
The estimated peak foliage dates are:
- Great North Woods: Sept. 26 – Oct. 5
- White Mountains: Oct. 5 – 10
- Dartmouth–Lake Sunapee: Oct. 5 – 15
- Lakes Region: Oct. 10 – 20
- Monadnock Region: Oct. 10 – 20
- Merrimack Valley: Oct. 20 – 25
- Seacoast: Oct. 20 – 31
Officials expect heavy “leaf-peeper” traffic on Interstate 93 and scenic routes throughout October. Drivers are encouraged to set GPS routes before leaving, pull over safely for photos, and allow extra time for weekend congestion.
Fall in New Hampshire, they said, is “pure magic — but the same beauty that draws us north can pull your eyes from the road.”
