National Wildlife Refuge·Maine·5,683 acres
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
Weather Hard frost Monday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
15 reports came in from York County this week, 11 of them still green and 2 of them patchy color. They moved our date 1 day later. See the county on the map.
When is peak fall foliage at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge around Oct 15, and the four days to aim for are Oct 14 to 17.
That's 2 days earlier than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the refuge |
|---|---|
| Sep 28 to Oct 4 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Nearly peak |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Peak color |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Just past peak |
- 0–1,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 1597%
Height off 3DEP inside the refuge’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the refuge stands in it.
That’s 2 days earlier than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.
Plan this tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Wednesday, October 14 to Thursday, October 15
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- Where to drive
- Kancamagus Highway, about 67 miles · Route 112 (Lost River Road), about 80 miles · Route 100, about 117 miles
- What turns
- red maple, blackgum, sweetgum, water oak, white oak
What turns, and when
- red maple24%
- blackgum13%
- sweetgum12%
- water oak12%
- white oak12%
- silver maple9%
Also named across Maine, outside what the canopy read measures here: Sugar Maple, White Birch, American Beech, Red Oak.
Maine's fall is defined by the contrast of scarlet maples and golden birches against dark spruce, with the rocky coast adding a blue backdrop that makes every color more vivid.
Questions people ask about Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
- When is peak fall foliage at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge?
Our forecast puts peak color at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge around Oct 15, and the four days to aim for are Oct 14 to 17.
- Where is the best fall color at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge right now?
On Nov 10 the refuge is leaves down.
- How long does peak last at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge?
About four days at the top, Oct 14 to 17, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 15, and on Nov 10 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge?
Sugar Maple, Red Maple, White Birch, American Beech, Red Oak. Maine's fall is defined by the contrast of scarlet maples and golden birches against dark spruce, with the rocky coast adding a blue backdrop that makes every color more vivid.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 27 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 10 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
Sandwich Range Wilderness is on the map above, with its own date.
- Peak Oct 10 best Oct 9 to 12
- Peak Oct 15 best Oct 14 to 17
- Peak Oct 15 best Oct 14 to 17
- Peak Oct 18 best Oct 17 to 20
- Peak Oct 18 best Oct 17 to 20
Fall color roads near Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the refuge, so allow more by road.
- Kancamagus Highway
One of America's finest fall drives through the White Mountains, peaking early-to-mid October. The stretch between Lincoln and Conway is jaw-dropping.
- Route 112 (Lost River Road)
A less-trafficked alternative to the Kanc, running through Kinsman Notch with excellent birch and maple color.
- Route 100
Runs the full length of Vermont through the Green Mountains. The section between Stowe and Killington is the postcard version of New England fall.
- Route 169
Designated a National Scenic Byway, this quiet road through the Last Green Valley is Connecticut's best-kept fall secret. Peaks late October.
- Mohawk Trail (Route 2)
The original scenic highway in America, crossing the Berkshires. The Hairpin Turn overlook at Florida, MA offers a 60-mile view of color.
- Park Loop Road
Acadia's one-way loop pairs ocean views with maple and birch color. Best in the second and third weeks of October.