The Best 5-Day New England Fall Road Trip (By a Local!)
If you want to plan an unforgettable 5-day New England Fall Road Trip, you are in the right place. I grew up in New England, exploring everything it offers, so I can provide you with the best things to do in the fall. New England is one of the best places in the world to see fall foliage, so you will not be disappointed with anything you do.
Although you could spend an entire month exploring New England in the fall, you can see the must-see attractions in a week! You can spend your days driving through mountain towns, hiking to the tallest mountains in New England, chasing waterfalls, or riding scenic gondolas while viewing the vibrant fall foliage. This guide has everything you need to know to plan the best 5-day New England fall road trip!
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Things to Know For a New England Fall Road Trip
When is Peak Foliage in New England?
Peak foliage varies because of the weather and many other factors but is usually between the end of September to the beginning of October in New England. The foliage will peak in the northern regions first, so you should always start your road trip from the most northern point and work your way down.
The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has a foliage tracker that gives you real-time updates and is a great tool to see when the foliage will peak in the White Mountains in the fall.
How Many Days Should Your Road Trip Be?
Honestly, you could spend weeks exploring everything New England offers in the fall, but you can visit many of the best places in a week. I recommend planning at least 5-7 days for your New England fall road trip to give yourself time to spend at least 1-2 days in each place you visit. I do not recommend spending less than one day in most places because you will feel rushed and unable to experience everything the area offers.
Where Are the Best Places to Visit?
New England has many beautiful places to visit in the fall, so you really cannot go wrong. The most popular places to visit are the White Mountains in New Hampshire, Stowe in Vermont, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and Acadia National Park in Maine. These areas have the most things to do and some of the best places to view fall foliage.
Tips for Planning a Fall Road Trip
Millions of people visit New England in the fall, and you will not be alone no matter where you go. I recommend starting your days early in the morning and exploring the popular attractions with fewer crowds. I also recommend planning your road trip during weekdays since most people visit on the weekend.
Since New England is one of the best places in the world to see fall foliage, there will likely be crowds, so I recommend preparing mentally for it and being flexible with your itinerary. If you arrive at a full parking lot, come back later to visit when there are fewer people.
And please always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can take your trash with you until you find a trash bin.
What to Pack
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Where to Stay During a New England Fall Road Trip
Because New England is a popular destination in the fall, I recommend booking your accommodations in advance. The best places to stay during your road trip are North Conway, Lincoln, Stowe, and Bar Harbor. These areas are near many must-see attractions and have everything you need for your stay, including restaurants and shops.
North Conway Hotels and Campgrounds
Lincoln Hotels and Campgrounds
Stowe Hotels and Campgrounds
Bar Harbor Hotels and Campgrounds
The Best 5-Day New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary
This guide has two options for your road trip itinerary since everyone wants to see different things on their trip. The first itinerary includes Dixville Notch, Stowe, and the White Mountains, and the second includes the White Mountains and Acadia National Park.
FALL ROAD TRIP ITINERARY OPTION 1:
If you want to stay in the mountains instead of by the coast, this 5-day New England fall road trip itinerary is perfect! If you want to visit the coast and the mountains, skip to option 2!
Day 1: Dixville Notch
Dixville Notch is the most northern part of this fall road trip itinerary and one of the most beautiful places to see fall foliage in New Hampshire. Although the state park is one of the smallest in the state, it does not lack mountain views and fun things to do on its 127 acres.
You can enjoy a scenic drive through the notch, hike to Table Rock, or explore its hidden waterfalls. Because Dixville Notch is pretty far north in New Hampshire, many people overlook it. It is becoming an increasingly popular area to explore, but it will have fewer crowds than other areas in the state.
Here are some of the best things to do during your one day in Dixville Notch:
Dixville Notch Scenic Drive: If you do not want to hike, you can enjoy a scenic drive through Dixville Notch. There are many pull-off areas to enjoy beautiful views, lakes, and roadside waterfalls.
Table Rock: Table Rock Trail is the most popular hike in Dixville Notch, for good reasons! The ledge overlooks the entire notch, which is especially spectacular when it has vibrant foliage. The trail makes you work for the views because it is steep and relentless, but it is worth it!
Three Brothers Trail: Three Brothers Trail is a lesser-known trail to Table Rock that passes by a beautiful waterfall, Huntington Cascades. The trail is longer than Table Rock Trail but a great alternative if you want to hike with fewer people.
Huntington Cascade: Huntington Cascades is a beautiful waterfall tucked into Dixville Notch and a short 0.4-mile round-trip hike.
Dixville Flume: Although not the tallest waterfall in the area, Dixville Flume in Dixville Notch does not lack beauty! The 18-foot waterfall is set back in a narrow flume and is beautiful. It is a quick walk from the parking lot, making it a great addition to every itinerary.
Beaver Brook Falls: A short drive north of Dixville Notch is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Hampshire, Beaver Brook Falls. The 80-foot waterfall is a stunning roadside attraction in Colebrook, especially surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. You can view the waterfall from the parking lot and walk along a short trail to the base of the falls.
After you finish exploring Dixville Notch, I recommend driving to Stowe and staying in an accommodation there, so you can start the following day early, exploring Smugglers’ Notch.
Day 2-3: Stowe
Stowe is one of the most beautiful areas to visit in Vermont year-round and is stunning in the fall. I recommend spending at least two days here, giving yourself plenty of time to experience everything Smugglers’ Notch offers.
One of the best things about Stowe is you do not have to hike to experience the beautiful fall foliage. Although Smugglers’ Notch has some of the best hiking trails in Vermont, you can enjoy the fall foliage from roadside viewpoints and attractions or drive to the top of the tallest mountain in Vermont. But if you are up for an adventure, you have many trails to choose from to mountains and waterfalls. You will not be disappointed!
Here are some of the best things to do during your two days in Stowe:
Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Drive: If you do not want to hike, do not worry! You can enjoy the beautiful foliage from your car and various overlooks in Smugglers’ Notch. It is one of the most scenic drives in Vermont in the fall when the vibrant foliage takes over the surrounding mountains.
Mount Mansfield: If you do not want to hike to the tallest mountain in Vermont, you can enjoy a stunning 4.5-mile scenic drive to the top! Mount Mansfield has an auto road open seasonally, allowing you to experience beautiful views without hiking. Once at the top, you can enjoy views from the Visitor Center or hike along the trails. If you would rather hike to the top, you can enjoy a strenuous 7.7-mile round-trip hike. The trail is beautiful and will quickly become one of your favorites!
Gondola Skyride: If you do not want to drive or hike to the tallest mountain in Vermont, you can enjoy a scenic gondola ride instead! The Gondola Skyride is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage because you get to relax while enjoying the views. At the top, you can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding area and enjoy a a meal at the Cliff House.
Stowe Pinnacle: If you want to enjoy a hike with beautiful fall foliage views, look no further. Stowe Pinnacle is one of the best trails near Stowe because of its stunning views overlooking the surrounding area. The 3.7-mile round-trip trail is steep, but the views at the top are worth the effort. You will quickly fall in love with this beautiful hike!
Moss Glen Falls: Moss Glen Falls is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vermont. And the best part? The 35-foot waterfall is a short walk from the parking lot! Because it is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area, I recommend arriving early to enjoy it with fewer crowds.
Bingham Falls: Bingham Falls is another one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vermont, standing at 25 feet tall. Although it is not the tallest waterfall, it is stunning, with the falls cascading into an emerald pool. And the trail is only 0.5 miles round trip, allowing you to enjoy the waterfall without a long hike!
Barnes Camp Loop: One of my favorite fall hikes in Stowe is Barnes Camp Loop. The 1.3-mile round-trip loop provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and foliage. And you do not have to hike the entire trail if you do not want to. The first part of the hike along the boardwalk is the most scenic, so you can enjoy an easy walk with beautiful views without hiking the other mile of the trail.
Ziplining: One of my favorite things to do in the fall is zipline through the stunning foliage. Arbortrek Canopy Adventures offers a fun tour along over 4,500 feet of zip lines through the mountains, allowing you to soar through the fall foliage. If you want to go on an exhilarating adventure, ziplining is for you!
On your last day in Stowe, you can either drive to the White Mountains and stay near Lincoln or start your drive early the following morning.
Day 4-5: White Mountains
The moment we have all been waiting for! The White Mountains is one of the most beautiful places in the world to see fall foliage. And do not just take my word for it! Over eight million people visit the area in the fall, so you know it is a fantastic area for foliage.
The White Mountain National Forest includes around 800,000 acres of beautiful waterfalls, mountains, and scenic drives, and it is my favorite place to explore in the fall. Since the White Mountain National Forest is huge, I recommend starting your days early to have the most time to explore the beautiful area.
Coming from Vermont, I recommend spending your first day near Lincoln and your second near North Conway. During your stay, you can drive the most beautiful fall scenic drive, hike to the tallest mountains in New Hampshire, drive to the top of the tallest mountain in New England, ride a scenic train ride, and chase waterfalls. No matter what you want to do in the fall, the White Mountains have something for everyone!
Here are some of the best things to do for your two days in the White Mountains:
Franconia Notch State Park
Since you are starting your two days on the western side of the White Mountains near Lincoln, I recommend exploring Franconia Notch State Park before making your way to the other side of the national forest.
Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain: I recommend beginning your day with hiking for sunrise to Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain. Artist Bluff has become one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains in the fall, so the overlook is always crowded. Sunrise will still have a crowd, but it will be less than midday. If you want to enjoy similar views with fewer crowds, I recommend adding Bald Mountain to the hike. The 360-degree views are stunning!
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway: If you want to enjoy the fall foliage without hiking, have no fear! You can ride a scenic gondola to the top of Cannon Mountain and enjoy 360-degree views on an observation deck. Of course, you can hike to Cannon Mountain if you are looking for a fun day hike!
Echo Lake: At the base of Cannon Mountain lies a small pond with beautiful views, making it the perfect place to enjoy a scenic canoe or paddle boat ride. You must make your reservation in advance to visit Echo Lake.
The Flume Gorge: The Flume Gorge is one of the most popular hikes to enjoy in the fall, for good reasons! The 2-mile loop follows a trail and boardwalk through a 70-foot gorge with stunning waterfalls. You must make your reservations in advance because they fill up quickly, especially in the fall!
Franconia Notch Hiking Trails: If you are looking for day hikes in Franconia Notch, you will not be disappointed with the options. You can enjoy hiking to Lonesome Lake, with beautiful views of Franconia Ridge, Mount Pemigewasset, overlooking the notch, or along the Basin Cascade Trail to multiple waterfalls.
Kancamagus Highway
Once you finish exploring Franconia Notch State Park, you can enjoy a scenic drive to the other side of the White Mountains.
Scenic Drive and Overlooks: The Kancamgus Highway is known as one of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in the world! And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. The 32-mile scenic drive runs through the White Mountains, connecting Lincoln to North Conway. You can enjoy beautiful views from multiple viewpoints, including Hancock Overlook, Pemigewasset Overlook, CL Graham Wangan Overlook, and Sugar Hill Scenic Vista.
Sabbaday Falls: Sabbaday Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the Kancamagus Highway and is an easy hike the entire family can enjoy.
Rocky Gorge: Rocky Gorge is one of my favorite places to visit along the Kancamagus Highway in the fall because it offers beautiful views of a waterfall and surrounding mountains. The paved path to the bridge is easy to follow and great for the entire family to enjoy!
Mount Washington Valley
The last day of your 5-Day New England fall road trip itinerary includes exploring the beautiful Mount Washington Valley! The valley includes everything from North Conway to Crawford Notch and Pinkham Notch, and there are many things to do, so you will have to choose what you want to do on your last day.
Crawford Notch Scenic Drive: Crawford Notch State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in the state, offering beautiful hikes to mountains and waterfalls. If you want to avoid hiking, you can enjoy a beautiful scenic drive through the notch, with mountain views from various overlooks and roadside waterfalls.
Mount Willard: If you want to hike, I recommend hiking during sunrise because the trails in Crawford Notch are crowded at midday. Mount Willard is the most popular fall hike in the area, offering breathtaking views overlooking Crawford Notch. The 3-mile round-trip hike will make you work for the views, but the effort is worth it once you see the vibrant foliage taking over the surrounding mountains.
Mount Avalon: If you want a less crowded alternative to Mount Willard, look no further! Although Mount Avalon does not have a large overlook at the summit, the views will not disappoint. The 3.3-mile round-trip hike is steep but worth it for the beautiful views overlooking Crawford Notch and Mount Washington.
Chase Waterfalls: Do you want to chase waterfalls instead of hiking to the top of a mountain? Have no fear! Mount Washington Valley is home to beautiful waterfalls, including the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire. You can hike 3-miles to Arethusa Falls, walk to Glen Ellis Falls, or enjoy roadside waterfalls in Crawford Notch State Park.
Mount Washington: One of the best things to do in the fall is to explore the tallest mountain in New England. Although you can enjoy a strenuous day hike to the summit, there are easier ways to get to the summit. You can take a scenic train ride on the Cog Railway or drive the Mount Washington Auto Road. Once at the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views from 6,288 feet tall.
Mount Washington Valley Hiking Trails: Looking for lesser-known or longer day hikes in the valley? Many trails in the valley offer beautiful views of the fall foliage, with the best areas being Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, and North Conway. All three areas have hikes for all levels, and you will not be disappointed!
FALL ROAD TRIP ITINERARY OPTION #2:
This 5-day New England fall road trip itinerary is perfect if you want to explore the mountains and coast. The itinerary includes two of the most beautiful areas in New England during fall!
Day 1-3: White Mountains
The first half of this itinerary explores the most popular place in New England in the fall. The White Mountains is one of the most beautiful places in the world to see fall foliage, but do not just take my word for it! Over eight million people visit the area in the fall, so you know it is a fantastic area for foliage.
The White Mountain National Forest includes around 800,000 acres of beautiful waterfalls, mountains, and scenic drives, and is my favorite place to explore in the fall. Since the White Mountain National Forest is huge, I recommend starting your days early to have the most time to explore the beautiful area.
I recommend starting your road trip in the western half of the White Mountains near Lincoln and slowly making your way to North Conway. During your stay, you can drive the most beautiful fall scenic drive, hike to the tallest mountains in New Hampshire, drive to the top of the tallest mountain in New England, ride a scenic train ride, and chase waterfalls. No matter what you want to do in the fall, the White Mountains have something for everyone!
Here are some of the best things to do for your three days in the White Mountains:
Franconia Notch State Park
Since you are starting your itinerary on the western side of the White Mountains near Lincoln, I recommend exploring Franconia Notch State Park before making your way to the other side of the national forest.
Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain: I recommend beginning your day with hiking for sunrise to Artist Bluff and Bald Mountain. Artist Bluff has become one of the most popular hikes in the White Mountains in the fall, so the overlook is always crowded. Sunrise will still have a crowd, but it will be less than midday. If you want to enjoy similar views with fewer crowds, I recommend adding Bald Mountain to the hike. The 360-degree views are stunning!
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway: If you want to enjoy the fall foliage without hiking, have no fear! You can ride a scenic gondola to the top of Cannon Mountain and enjoy 360-degree views on an observation deck. Of course, you can hike to Cannon Mountain if you are looking for a fun day hike!
Echo Lake: At the base of Cannon Mountain lies a small pond with beautiful views, making it the perfect place to enjoy a scenic canoe or paddle boat ride. You must make your reservation in advance to visit Echo Lake.
The Flume Gorge: The Flume Gorge is one of the most popular hikes to enjoy in the fall, for good reasons! The 2-mile loop follows a trail and boardwalk through a 70-foot gorge with stunning waterfalls. You must make your reservations in advance because they fill up quickly, especially in the fall!
Franconia Notch Hiking Trails: If you are looking for day hikes in Franconia Notch, you will not be disappointed with the options. You can enjoy hiking to Lonesome Lake, with beautiful views of Franconia Ridge, Mount Pemigewasset, overlooking the notch, or along the Basin Cascade Trail to multiple waterfalls.
Kancamagus Highway
Once you finish exploring Franconia Notch State Park, you can enjoy a scenic drive to the other side of the White Mountains.
Scenic Drive and Overlooks: The Kancamgus Highway is known as one of the most beautiful fall foliage drives in the world! And let me tell you, it does not disappoint. The 32-mile scenic drive runs through the White Mountains, connecting Lincoln to North Conway. You can enjoy beautiful views from multiple viewpoints, including Hancock Overlook, Pemigewasset Overlook, CL Graham Wangan Overlook, and Sugar Hill Scenic Vista.
Sabbaday Falls: Sabbaday Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the Kancamagus Highway and is an easy hike the entire family can enjoy.
Rocky Gorge: Rocky Gorge is one of my favorite places to visit along the Kancamagus Highway in the fall because it offers beautiful views of a waterfall and surrounding mountains. The paved path to the bridge is easy to follow and great for the entire family to enjoy!
Mount Washington Valley
The last two days in the White Mountains explore the Mount Washington Valley! The valley includes everything from North Conway to Crawford Notch and Pinkham Notch, and there are many things to do, so you will have to choose what you want to do on your last day.
Crawford Notch Scenic Drive: Crawford Notch State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in the state, offering beautiful hikes to mountains and waterfalls. If you want to avoid hiking, you can enjoy a beautiful scenic drive through the notch, with mountain views from various overlooks and roadside waterfalls.
Mount Willard: If you want to hike, I recommend hiking during sunrise because the trails in Crawford Notch are crowded at midday. Mount Willard is the most popular fall hike in the area, offering breathtaking views overlooking Crawford Notch. The 3-mile round-trip hike will make you work for the views, but the effort is worth it once you see the vibrant foliage taking over the surrounding mountains.
Mount Avalon: If you want a less crowded alternative to Mount Willard, look no further! Although Mount Avalon does not have a large overlook at the summit, the views will not disappoint. The 3.3-mile round-trip hike is steep but worth it for the beautiful views overlooking Crawford Notch and Mount Washington.
Chase Waterfalls: Do you want to chase waterfalls instead of hiking to the top of a mountain? Have no fear! Mount Washington Valley is home to beautiful waterfalls, including the tallest waterfall in New Hampshire. You can hike 3-miles to Arethusa Falls, walk to Glen Ellis Falls, or enjoy roadside waterfalls in Crawford Notch State Park.
Mount Washington: One of the best things to do in the fall is to explore the tallest mountain in New England. Although you can enjoy a strenuous day hike to the summit, there are easier ways to get to the summit. You can take a scenic train ride on the Cog Railway or drive the Mount Washington Auto Road. Once at the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views from 6,288 feet tall.
Mount Washington Valley Hiking Trails: Looking for lesser-known or longer day hikes in the valley? Many trails in the valley offer beautiful views of the fall foliage, with the best areas being Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, and North Conway. All three areas have hikes for all levels, and you will not be disappointed!
I recommend driving to Acadia National Park in the afternoon on the last day in the White Mountains. The drive is about four hours, so you should allocate some time in your itinerary for driving to Acadia National Park.
Day 4-5: Acadia National Park
The last part of your 5-day New England fall road trip explores a beautiful part of Maine. Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England and one of the best places to experience the fall foliage along the coast.
Despite being located on Maine’s coast, the 49,000 acres of Acadia National Park are not known for the typical Maine attractions. Acadia National Park instead offers a uniqueness not found anywhere else in the state, which is one of the reasons it is in the most visited national parks every year despite being one of the smallest!
Since there are millions of people visiting Acadia National Park, there will be high crowds during the fall. I recommend starting your days early and exploring the popular attractions first to enjoy them with fewer crowds.
Regardless of the crowds, you will quickly fall in love with spending time in Acadia National Park in the fall with its coastal views, rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful mountain views.
Here are some of the best things to do during your two days in Acadia National Park:
Park Loop Road Scenic Drive: Park Loop Road is a beautiful 27-mile scenic drive looping around Acadia National Park. Many must-see attractions are along the loop, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. The drive has breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding mountains covered in vibrant foliage, and you will fall in love with it quickly!
Gorham Mountain: Although Beehive Trail and Precipice Trail are the most popular trails to hike in Acadia National Park, many others offer breathtaking views with fewer people. I do not enjoy hiking either of those trails in the fall because it is a conga line of people up the steep trails. Instead, I recommend hiking different trails, like Gorham Mountain! The 1.6-mile round-trip trail is not overly strenuous and rivals the beauty of nearby popular trails. You will quickly fall in love with this hike and its breathtaking views!
Jordan Pond: Jordan Pond is one of my favorite places in the fall in Acadia National Park, even though it is one of the most popular areas. Jordan Pond is at the base of the North Bubble and South Bubble Mountains and has an easy hike around the pond to take in the views.
North and South Bubble: North Bubble and South Bubble are two famous mountains along the shores of Jordan Pond. The 1.6-mile round trip trail to North Bubble and South Bubble is short and offers some of the best views in the park, overlooking Jordan Pond and the surrounding mountains and ocean.
Cadillac Mountain: Of course, one of the best things to do during your road trip is to watch the sunrise or sunset from Cadillac Mountain. During certain times of the year, Cadillac Mountain is one of three places in Maine to see the sunrise first in the US! You can drive to the summit via the Cadillac Summit Road if you make a vehicle reservation in advance. Once at the top, you can walk along the 0.5-mile Cadillac Summit Loop to enjoy 360° views.
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: Acadia National Park is home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine and is the perfect place to watch the sunrise if you cannot get reservations on Cadillac Mountain! You can see the lighthouse from the shoreline or by hiking an easy 1-mile round trip trail to get an up-close and personal view of it.
Beech Mountain: If you want another beautiful fall hike with fewer crowds, look no further. The 1.2-mile round trip trail to Beech Mountain has gorgeous views of Long Pond, surrounded by vibrant foliage. Because Beech Mountain is on the other side of Acadia National Park, it will have fewer crowds, which is a nice change from sharing overlooks and trails with large crowds.
If you want to plan the best 5-day New England fall road trip, you are in the right place! It has everything you need to know to create an unforgettable New England fall road trip!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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