Missisquoi Refugefall foliage
No reports yet this season for Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. It usually peaks Oct 1–10.
Right now in Missisquoi Refuge · September
- Mac's Bend Road open to cars · Sep–Dec
3days to the next fall foliage seasonusually Oct 1–10
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 60% chanceThis Afternoon
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 2:21 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Jeep Trail closed for nesting birds (open August 1 to April 1)Apr–Jul
- International Migratory Bird Day (third Saturday in May)May
- Mac's Bend Road open to carsNowSep–Dec
Best spots around Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
- Stephen J. Young Marsh Trail1.25-mile loop from a freshwater wetland into the woods, with raised boardwalks
- Mac's Bend Road2-mile round trip on a gravel road by the river; eagles and osprey nest in the floodplain forest; open to cars September–December
- Discovery Trail1-mile loop from the refuge headquarters past ponds and fields into the woods
- Black Creek & Maquam Creek Trails2.5 miles round trip along the creeks; no hunting on or near the trail
Around Vermont this week
- Smugglers’ Notch32 mi · Statewide: Sep 15–Oct 15Todayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThuwind to 26 mphFriwind to 20 mphSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Jay Peak32 mi · no timing on recordTodayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Stowe40 mi · Statewide: Sep 15–Oct 15Todayrain 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
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi NWR, Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi NWR, Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (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)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
There's no forecast yet. In a typical year it peaks Oct 1–10. We add the forecast as soon as one is published.
How is the fall color in Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 3 days (usually Oct 1–10).
When do the colors peak?
Early October, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which also points to the refuge's yearly fall migration of more than 20,000 ducks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are the trails open during hunting season?
Not all of them. Every trail closes during the rifle and muzzleloader deer seasons except the Black Creek & Maquam Creek trail, and deer and waterfowl seasons bring advisories on some trails. The refuge's phone line, (802) 868-4781, has the latest.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi NWR, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi NWR, Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What else is there to see in fall?
Waterfowl gather here in greater numbers than anywhere else on Lake Champlain, and fall brings back flocks of ducks along with northern songbirds heading south.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi NWR, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where is the visitor center?
On Tabor Road, 6 miles west of Swanton, Vermont.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge?
Stephen J. Young Marsh Trail: 1.25-mile loop from a freshwater wetland into the woods, with raised boardwalks; Mac's Bend Road: 2-mile round trip on a gravel road by the river; eagles and osprey nest in the floodplain forest; open to cars September–December; Discovery Trail: 1-mile loop from the refuge headquarters past ponds and fields into the woods; Black Creek & Maquam Creek Trails: 2.5 miles round trip along the creeks; no hunting on or near the trail.
When is the festival in Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge?
International Migratory Bird Day (third Saturday in May), usually in May.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge?
Jeep Trail closed for nesting birds (open August 1 to April 1) (Apr–Jul).
What is Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Jeep Trail closed for nesting birds (open August 1 to April 1) (Apr–Jul), International Migratory Bird Day (third Saturday in May) (May) and Mac's Bend Road open to cars (Sep–Dec).