Nulhegan Basinfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division. It usually peaks Oct 1–10.
Right now in Nulhegan Basin · September
- Gravel roads open to cars (generally Memorial Day to mid-December) · May–Dec
3days to the next fall foliage seasonusually Oct 1–10
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 74% chanceThis Afternoon, Tonight
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.
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division through the year
- Gates locked until Memorial Day weekendApr–May
- Gravel roads open to cars (generally Memorial Day to mid-December)NowMay–Dec
- Snowmobile season on the groomed refuge roadsDec–Apr
Best spots around Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division
- Nulhegan Basin OverlookPanoramic view of the basin, a short accessible walk from the visitor contact station on VT Route 105 in Brunswick
- Lewis Pond OverlookWide vista over the basin, 45 minutes' drive from the visitor station; trailhead for the Gore Mountain Trail
- Lewis Pond Boardwalk275-foot accessible boardwalk through mature cedars to a platform facing Lewis Pond and Gore Mountain
- Nulhegan River Trail1-mile loop from the visitor station's granite overlook down to the river and back
Around Vermont this week
- Lake Willoughby16 mi · no timing on recordTodayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Jay Peak37 mi · no timing on recordTodayrain likelyTuedry and calmWeddry and calmThudry and calmFridry and calmSatdry and calmSundry and calm
- Stowe53 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 →
Nulhegan Basin in pictures
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, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Vermont Divisions and Units (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Trails (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 Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division 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 Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division 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 leaves peak here?
Early October, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The basin sits high, so its sugar maples turn earlier than much of Vermont.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive through the refuge?
Yes: about forty miles of gravel roads take ordinary cars, generally from Memorial Day to mid-December. Bikes are allowed on them too. Call the visitor contact station for current road conditions.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Vermont Divisions and Units ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What happens in winter?
The roads aren't plowed. Local snowmobile clubs groom roughly 25 miles of them for snowmobiles, cross-country skis and snowshoes, and after the snowmobile season the gates stay locked until Memorial Day weekend.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Vermont Divisions and Units ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is the visitor station open every day?
Yes, the Nulhegan Basin visitor contact station is open all year, 365 days, with exhibits and restrooms.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Silvio O. Conte NFWR, Vermont Divisions and Units ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division?
Nulhegan Basin Overlook: panoramic view of the basin, a short accessible walk from the visitor contact station on VT Route 105 in Brunswick; Lewis Pond Overlook: wide vista over the basin, 45 minutes' drive from the visitor station; trailhead for the Gore Mountain Trail; Lewis Pond Boardwalk: 275-foot accessible boardwalk through mature cedars to a platform facing Lewis Pond and Gore Mountain; Nulhegan River Trail: 1-mile loop from the visitor station's granite overlook down to the river and back.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division?
Gates locked until Memorial Day weekend (Apr–May).
What is Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, Nulhegan Basin Division like through the year?
Snowmobile season on the groomed refuge roads (Dec–Apr), Gates locked until Memorial Day weekend (Apr–May) and Gravel roads open to cars (generally Memorial Day to mid-December) (May–Dec).