Best Fall Photography Locations in New England

Fall photography in New England is a timeless favorite for nature and landscape photographers. The landscape ignites with deep reds, bright oranges, and golden yellows, transforming the region into a painter’s palette. The region’s abundance of sugar maple trees—known for their brilliant red and orange hues—along with beeches, birches, and oaks, creates a spectacular blend of color. It’s this diverse mix that makes New England’s fall so famous around the world. Cool, misty mornings and warm, golden afternoons create ideal conditions to be out with your camera—whether you’re exploring solo or taking part in one of our photo tours and workshops.

From covered bridges framed by peak color to still lakes reflecting vibrant forests and winding roads lined with fiery maples, New England offers endless opportunities to capture the season’s beauty. But timing is everything. The colors change fast, and knowing where to be—and when—makes all the difference.

Local websites won’t always reflect real-time, on-the-ground conditions. Many are supported by advertisers who benefit from tourism to a particular region and may not report when color is fading or past peak. That’s why local knowledge and experience matter.

John Slonina, a New England native and professional photographer, has spent decades photographing this region. He knows how to time the season, adapt to conditions, and lead photographers to the right places at just the right moments.

When and Where to go for Peak Foliage

Fall color in New England progresses in waves. It starts in the far north and higher elevations and gradually moves south and into lower regions. Following this pattern allows you to stretch your photography season by traveling with the changing leaves.

Early October

Northern Vermont: The Green Mountains, Montpelier, Stowe, Burlington, and Lake Champlain.

Northern New Hampshire: The White Mountains, Connecticut Lakes Region, and the town of Errol offer sweeping views, forested roads, and waterfalls framed by colorful leaves.

Northern Maine: The western lakes region and Rangeley area, including Baxter State Park, Moosehead Lake, and Bethel. Look for quiet ponds reflecting foliage, cascading streams, and scenic headlands glowing in the soft morning light.

Mid October

Maine Coast: Dramatic lighthouses, rocky cliffs, and golden leaves provide striking coastal contrasts. Acadia National Park is a standout, combining rugged shorelines with brilliant fall color.

Central & Southern Vermont: Classic barns, winding backroads, and iconic covered bridges in towns like Bennington, Manchester, Rutland, and Woodstock. The Green Mountains provide the perfect autumn backdrop.

Massachusetts: Peak color typically hits mid-month in places like the Quabbin Reservoir, Concord, Amherst, Worcester County, and the Southern Berkshires.

Late October

Coastal Massachusetts & Rhode Island: Look for lingering color in the Blackstone Valley, Narragansett, Jamestown, Bristol, and Block Island.

Connecticut: Excellent foliage and scenic routes can be found in the Litchfield Hills, Greenwich, Waterbury, Danbury, and the lower Connecticut River Valley.

Photographing the Landscape—and Wildlife

Fall in New England isn’t just about landscapes. Wildlife activity picks up, too. Moose are especially sought after in the northern woods, though their numbers are declining across the continental U.S. White-tailed deer are often spotted in the early morning light, along with red foxes, wild turkeys, and black bears. Migrating birds pass through, and small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks stay busy gathering food for winter.

There’s motion in the landscape as well—leaves floating down rivers, waterfalls tumbling through colorful forests, and misty mornings that add atmosphere and depth to your images.

Why Experience Matters

Planning a fall photography trip in New England is more than just picking dates on a calendar. Peak foliage timing shifts from year to year depending on weather, elevation, and rainfall.

That’s where experience makes a difference. We scout the region in advance—driving miles before our tours begin—to find the best ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and forests with peak color. We also help navigate around the crowds, which can be a challenge in popular spots, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Join Us for Peak Fall in New England

Ready to capture the best of fall in New England? Our photo tours and workshops take you to the heart of the season, visiting some of the most photogenic locations—mountain overlooks, peaceful lakes, coastal cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and iconic covered bridges.

While the focus is on landscape photography, we’ll also keep an eye out for wildlife and help you get the most out of every stop, whether you’re photographing sweeping vistas or close-up autumn textures.

Learn more and register for our New England Fall Photo Tour and Workshop.