Waterville Valley, New Hampshirefall foliage
No reports yet this season for Waterville Valley.
Right now in Waterville Valley · September
- Waterville Campground open · May–Oct
- Tripoli Road roadside camping · May–Oct
- Osceola Vista group campground open · May–Oct
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 91% 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 Waterville Valley
First frost usually arrives this week
Sep 28Average first fall frost
May 15Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Waterville Valley Nepp station (0.6 mi away, 1,429 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Waterville Valley through the year
- Waterville Campground openNowMay–Oct
- Tripoli Road roadside campingNowMay–Oct
- Osceola Vista group campground openNowMay–Oct
Best spots around Waterville Valley
- Greeley PondsReached by the Livermore Trail, which runs 7.7 miles to Route 112
- East Pond1.4 miles from Tripoli Road, with a side loop to Little East Pond
- Smarts Brook loopsShort loop hikes off Route 49 in Thornton
- Mad River Trail0.9 miles along the Mad River, ending near Town Square
Around New Hampshire this week
- White Mountain National Forest19 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 Valley22 mi · Statewide: well under way by ~Oct 7Todayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Pinkham Notch24 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 →
How we know
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, Waterville Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Livermore Trailhead (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Tripoli Road Camping Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, East Pond Trailhead (Tripoli Rd) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Smarts Brook Trailhead (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Mad River Trailhead (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Osceola Vista Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Waterville Valley in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Waterville Valley 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 Waterville Valley 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 do I get to Waterville Valley?
From Interstate 93, take exit 28 onto Route 49 and drive 10 miles toward Waterville Valley.Source: US Forest Service, Waterville Campground ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a parking fee at the Livermore trailhead?
Yes: $5 per vehicle per day, or an annual pass for $30 ($40 for a household).Source: US Forest Service, Livermore Trailhead ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I camp along Tripoli Road?
Yes. Roadside camping on Tripoli Road runs mid-May through October at $25 per vehicle a night; register at the trailer two miles east of exit 31. The Forest Service says it's popular and not the place for a quiet, out-of-the-way site.Source: US Forest Service, Tripoli Road Camping Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Waterville Valley?
Greeley Ponds: reached by the Livermore Trail, which runs 7.7 miles to Route 112; East Pond: 1.4 miles from Tripoli Road, with a side loop to Little East Pond; Smarts Brook loops: short loop hikes off Route 49 in Thornton; Mad River Trail: 0.9 miles along the Mad River, ending near Town Square.
What is Waterville Valley like through the year?
Waterville Campground open (May–Oct), Tripoli Road roadside camping (May–Oct) and Osceola Vista group campground open (May–Oct).