National Recreation Area·Vermont·36,442 acres
Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Higher ground turns first, so the slopes above the road lead the valley by a few days.
Weather Hard frost Thursday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area around Oct 7, and the four days to aim for are Oct 6 to 9.
The recreation area runs from about 1,446 to 2,848 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 5 days: the high stands around Oct 5, the low ground around Oct 9. That's 1 day earlier than our model alone would say, because this September has been running cool.
| Week | In the recreation area | Elevation at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21 to Sep 27 | Starting to turn | |
| Sep 28 to Oct 4 | Nearly peak | |
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Peak color | 1,000 to 1,500 ft, 1,500 to 2,000 ft, 2,000 to 2,500 ft, 2,500 to 3,000 ft |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Just past peak | |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Just past peak |
- 2,500–3,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 521%
- 2,000–2,500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 648%
- 1,500–2,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 823%
- 1,000–1,500 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 96%
Height off 3DEP inside the recreation area’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the recreation area stands in it.
That’s 1 day earlier than our model alone would say. This September has been running cool, which shifts peak color.
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.
Tuesday, October 6 to Wednesday, October 7
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- 2,500–3,000 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 5
- 2,000–2,500 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 6
- 1,500–2,000 ftPeak colorpeak Oct 8
- Where to drive
- Route 100, about 32 miles · Mohawk Trail (Route 2), about 49 miles · Route 112 (Lost River Road), about 72 miles
- What turns
- sugar maple, red maple, paper birch, yellow birch, American beech
What turns, and when
- sugar maple30%
- red maple21%
- paper birch20%
- yellow birch10%
- American beech10%
- quaking aspen10%
Also named across Vermont, outside what the canopy read measures here: White Birch.
Sugar maples turn brilliant orange and scarlet, birches go gold, beeches fade to bronze, and against the dark green of spruce the effect is iconic.
Questions people ask about Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area
- When is peak fall foliage at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area?
Our forecast puts peak color at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area around Oct 7, and the four days to aim for are Oct 6 to 9.
- Where is the best fall color at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area right now?
On Nov 10 the recreation area is leaves down. The last band to peak was 1,000 to 1,500 feet, around Oct 9.
- How long does peak last at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area?
About four days at the top, Oct 6 to 9, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the recreation area's elevations the color moves over about 5 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 9 days.
- Is Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 7, and on Nov 10 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area?
Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Yellow Birch, White Birch, American Beech. Sugar maples turn brilliant orange and scarlet, birches go gold, beeches fade to bronze, and against the dark green of spruce the effect is iconic.
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
Glastenbury Wilderness and Joseph Battell Wilderness are on the map above, with their own date.
- Peak Oct 7 best Oct 6 to 9
- Peak Oct 4 best Oct 3 to 6
- Peak Oct 18 best Oct 17 to 20
- Peak Oct 17 best Oct 16 to 19
Fall color roads near Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the recreation area, so allow more by road.
- 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.
- 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.
- Route 112 (Lost River Road)
A less-trafficked alternative to the Kanc, running through Kinsman Notch with excellent birch and maple color.
- 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 30 (Great Northern Catskills)
Runs through Schoharie Valley and into the northern Catskills. Less traffic than Route 28 with equally stunning maple color.
- 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.