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Massachusetts fall foliage
In a typical year, fall color in Massachusetts peaks from about October 14 around Lenox (1,200 ft) to about October 28 around Hyannis (Cape Cod, 30 ft).
2026 foliage season
Massachusetts fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 9 Massachusetts destinations we track, colored by today’s estimated stage. Select one for its forecast, or open the full foliage map to check any city or ZIP code.
Peak calendar
Bars show the typical best-viewing window for each destination. The dark mark is the typical peak. The last column shows today’s estimated status.
How fall color moves through Massachusetts
Massachusetts peaks from west to east. The Berkshires turn first, with Lenox around October 14 and Williamstown around October 15. The hill towns of the Pioneer Valley follow, with Shelburne Falls around October 17, then central Massachusetts, with Worcester around October 19. Boston peaks around October 24, and Cape Cod is last, around October 28.
Best places for Massachusetts fall foliage
- Lenox is in the heart of the Berkshires, surrounded by rolling wooded hills and close to the Stockbridge Bowl.
- Williamstown is a college town in the state’s far northwest corner, below Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts.
- Shelburne Falls is a village on the Mohawk Trail known for its Bridge of Flowers and the glacial potholes in the Deerfield River.
- Worcester, New England’s second-largest city, sits in the wooded hills of central Massachusetts.
- Boston peaks in late October, when parks like the Arnold Arboretum and the banks of the Charles River turn.
- Hyannis, on Cape Cod, is typically the last Massachusetts destination to peak, when the Cape’s oak woods and cranberry bogs turn late in the season.
Scenic drives
The Mohawk Trail (Route 2) crosses the northern Berkshires from Williamstown east through Shelburne Falls, including a well-known hairpin turn above North Adams. Route 7 runs north and south through the Berkshires, linking Williamstown, Lenox, and Great Barrington. The Jacob’s Ladder Trail (Route 20) climbs east from Lee through the hills. Near Williamstown, Mount Greylock is the highest point in the state.
Planning around elevation
The Berkshire hills and Mount Greylock turn ahead of the valley towns below them, so higher ground in western Massachusetts is the place to look early in the season.
Visiting in early, mid, or late October
Early October. Massachusetts is typically still coming on, with the most color on higher ground like Mount Greylock. For peak color, go north: Stowe, VT and Franconia Notch, NH are usually at their best.
Mid-October. The Berkshires and hill towns peak. Lenox is typically at its best from about October 13 to 21, Williamstown from about October 14 to 22, and Shelburne Falls from about October 15 to 23. Worcester comes on around October 17.
Late October. Eastern Massachusetts takes over. Worcester typically stays good until about October 26, Boston is at its best from about October 22 to 30, and Cape Cod from about October 27 into early November.
Trees behind the color
Scenic drive guide
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in Massachusetts?
In a typical year, fall color in Massachusetts peaks from about October 14 around Lenox (1,200 ft) to about October 28 around Hyannis (Cape Cod, 30 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in Massachusetts?
Lenox is usually first among the Massachusetts destinations we track, with peak around October 14. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in Massachusetts?
Hyannis (Cape Cod) usually peaks last, around October 28. Hyannis is well to the south of the state’s other destinations we track, which is part of why its color comes late.
What trees give Massachusetts its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include red maple, sugar maple, northern red oak, shagbark hickory, paper birch, and American beech.
Check any city or ZIP code in Massachusetts.
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