White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshirefall foliage
No reports yet this season for White Mountain National Forest.
Right now in White Mountain National Forest · September
- Russell-Colbath House open · May–Oct
- Rocky Gorge site open · May–Oct
- Lincoln Woods Trail closed for repairs · Jun–Nov
6days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by early October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 92% chanceThis Afternoon, Tonight
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 9:38 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near White Mountain National Forest
First frost usually arrives this week
Oct 5Average first fall frost
May 7Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's N Conway station (5.3 mi away, 522 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
White Mountain National Forest through the year
- Russell-Colbath House openNowMay–Oct
- Rocky Gorge site openNowMay–Oct
- Lincoln Woods Trail closed for repairsNowJun–Nov
Best spots around White Mountain National Forest
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway34-mile byway, at its best in the foliage season
- Sabbaday FallsCascades in a narrow flume, 15 miles west of Conway
- Rocky GorgeFoot bridge over the Swift River's gorge
Around New Hampshire this week
- Waterville Valley19 mi · Statewide: well under way by ~Oct 7Todayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Pinkham Notch20 mi · Statewide: well under way by ~Oct 7Todayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Crawford Notch and Zealand Valley29 mi · Statewide: well under way by ~Oct 7Todayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across New England, red maple is ahead of a typical year; the rest are close to typical. Which trees turn when →
White Mountain National Forest in pictures
How we know
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (monthly) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal, station query) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Russell-Colbath Historic Site (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lincoln Woods Trailhead (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, White Mountain NF scenic drives (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Sabbaday Falls (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Rocky Gorge Scenic Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in White Mountain National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for White Mountain National Forest yet. Statewide for New Hampshire: color is usually well under way by early October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in White Mountain National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 6 days (usually well under way by early October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
How cold is October near the White Mountains?
At NOAA's N Conway station, about 5 miles away at 520 feet, October averages a high of 59°F and a low of 37°F (1991–2020 normals), and in half of years the first fall freeze (32°F) has come by October 5. Long-term averages at one station, not a forecast.Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (monthly) ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal, station query) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in White Mountain National Forest?
Kancamagus Scenic Byway: 34-mile byway, at its best in the foliage season; Sabbaday Falls: cascades in a narrow flume, 15 miles west of Conway; Rocky Gorge: foot bridge over the Swift River's gorge.
Are there closures or permits to know about in White Mountain National Forest?
Lincoln Woods Trail closed for repairs (Jun–Nov).
What is White Mountain National Forest like through the year?
Russell-Colbath House open (May–Oct), Rocky Gorge site open (May–Oct) and Lincoln Woods Trail closed for repairs (Jun–Nov).