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New Hampshire fall foliage
In a typical year, fall color in New Hampshire peaks from about October 3 around Franconia Notch (1,950 ft) to about October 21 around Portsmouth (20 ft).
2026 foliage season
New Hampshire fall foliage map
- Mostly green
- Starting to turn
- Moderate color
- Near peak
- Peak color
- Past peak
- Leaves down
Dots show the 7 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s season moves from the White Mountains south to the seacoast over about three weeks. Franconia Notch, at about 1,950 feet, is typically first, peaking around October 3. The rest of the White Mountains follow within a week: Jackson around October 8, Lincoln at the western end of the Kancamagus Highway around October 9, and North Conway around October 10. The Upper Valley comes next, with Hanover around October 11, then the Monadnock region, with Keene around October 15. Portsmouth, on the coast, is last, around October 21.
Best places for New Hampshire fall foliage
- Franconia Notch is a mountain pass between Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ridge, home to the Flume Gorge, and typically the first New Hampshire destination to peak.
- Lincoln, at the south end of Franconia Notch, is the western gateway to the Kancamagus Highway.
- North Conway is the busiest town in the Mount Washington Valley, near the eastern end of the Kancamagus, with the cliffs of Cathedral Ledge above it.
- Jackson, just north of North Conway on the road to Pinkham Notch, is known for its red covered bridge and Jackson Falls.
- Hanover, home of Dartmouth College, sits on the Connecticut River across from Vermont.
- Keene is the hub of the Monadnock region in the southwest corner of the state, near Mount Monadnock.
- Portsmouth, a historic seaport on the Piscataqua River, is typically the last place in the state to peak.
Scenic drives
The Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) runs about 34 miles through the White Mountain National Forest between Lincoln and Conway, climbing to nearly 2,900 feet at Kancamagus Pass, and is the state’s best-known foliage drive. The Franconia Notch Parkway carries I-93 through Franconia Notch between Cannon Mountain and the Franconia Ridge. Route 302 threads Crawford Notch, and Route 16 runs north from Jackson through Pinkham Notch at the base of Mount Washington.
Planning around elevation
The Kancamagus Highway climbs well above the towns at either end, so the pass can be at or past peak while Lincoln and Conway are still coming on. Driving it from end to end is a good way to see several stages of color in one trip.
Visiting in early, mid, or late October
Early October. The White Mountains lead. Franconia Notch is typically at its best from about October 1, and Jackson, Lincoln, and North Conway come into their best viewing between about October 6 and 9.
Mid-October. The towns at either end of the Kancamagus typically stay good until about October 15 to 17, while the pass itself has usually gone past. Hanover is at its best until about October 18, and Keene from about October 14 to 22.
Late October. Head for the coast. Portsmouth is typically at its best from about October 19 to 28, and Boston from about October 22 to 30.
Trees behind the color
National park and forest guide
Scenic drive guide
Common questions
When is peak fall foliage in New Hampshire?
In a typical year, fall color in New Hampshire peaks from about October 3 around Franconia Notch (1,950 ft) to about October 21 around Portsmouth (20 ft). Timing can shift by about a week in either direction depending on the weather.
Where does fall color peak first in New Hampshire?
Franconia Notch is usually first among the New Hampshire destinations we track, with peak around October 3. Higher and more northern spots turn before lower and more southern ones.
Where is the latest fall color in New Hampshire?
Portsmouth usually peaks last, around October 21. Later color here is usually found lower down and farther south, so if you miss peak elsewhere, head toward places like Portsmouth.
What trees give New Hampshire its fall color?
The biggest contributors at the destinations we track include red maple, sugar maple, paper birch, American beech, northern red oak, and shagbark hickory.
Check any city or ZIP code in New Hampshire.
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