Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inBrittney DonovanFriday 16 October 2026 17:07 BSTA hiking trail overlooks autumn colors, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)Kyle Cotner, founder of The Foliage Report, declared the current fall foliage season in New England to be an elite year and the best he has observed in nearly two decades of tracking leaf colors across the United States.The exceptional display in New England is driven by optimal weather conditions, including sufficient spring and summer rainfall paired with warm autumn days and crisp, cool nights.In contrast, regions facing severe drought conditions such as Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho experienced brief and muted foliage seasons, whereas Utah stood out positively due to average precipitation levels.Experts explain that fall colors occur as shorter days prompt trees to stop chlorophyll production, unmasking underlying yellow and orange pigments while cold nights trap sugars to generate vibrant red hues.Visitors and photographers traveling through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont confirmed the stunning visuals, describing the vibrant natural landscapes as a welcome escape from modern daily life.In fullNew England is having an 'elite' fall foliage year but there's 'majestic' views elsewhere tooMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in