Fall Foliage season at the Kancamagus Highway is by far one of the best times to visit the Kancamagus. Most people come to the Kancamagus Highway during the foliage season to see the bright colored leaves. The crisp fall air and the smell of the sun warming up the changing leaves is something you will remember for the rest of your life, it will always take you back to the memories of being at the Kanc.
When do the leaves change color along the Kancamagus Highway?
The leaves on the Kancamagus Highway normally start to change color around the middle of September. Peak fall foliage can be seen in the first two weeks of October. Normally, by the third to fourth week of October, the color of the leaves start turning brownish as the foliage season heads past peak in this region of New Hampshire.
Peak Fall Foliage season on the Kancamagus Highway can vary from above. The weather plays the most important role in determining the exact times the foliage will change colors, and when the leaves reach the brightest colors, known as “Peak Fall Foliage”.
The Fall foliage in New Hampshire normally changes from North & West to South and East. Almost the entire 2 months of September and October there is peak fall Foliage in one place or another in the Granite State.
The great part of leaf peeping is the fact that it is beautiful to see the leaves in any weather, so don’t let a poor weather day keep you from seeing the Fall foliage at the Kancamagus Highway. The best weather of course is a nice sunny, dry, warm day right after a recent rainfall.
If you are visiting the Kancamagus Highway from far away it is always best to give yourself a few days here in New Hampshire to be sure you get to see the Fall foliage during nice weather on the Kancamagus.
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Current Fall Foliage Conditions
Fall foliage conditions on the Kancamagus and in New Hampshire can vary dramatically even just driving a few miles. We put together a few resources for ways to see what stage the NH fall foliage is at and where you might find peak foliage colors. Check the two links below for current conditions:
Also check the bottom of this page to see if anyone posted their fall foliage photos here.
There’s nothing prettier in the whole world 🌍 than the FALL FOILAGE in New Hampshire along the Kangamangus Highway 🛣️ the visions will be embedded in your mind forever as you see the vast color’s of millions of beautiful leaf’s in the trees along the roadways and in the wilderness, something everyone should see
We are visiting the Kangamangus Highway/White Mountains on Oct. 19. Any chance there will still be color then. Can’t seem to find whether the color change has started yet but see some information on the internet that by the third weeks things are brown. Going regardless but curious.
The fall foliage on the Kancamagus should be “Past Peak” by October 19th, but you should still see some color (besides brown hopefully!)
Well I will hope for the best – any other suggestions ?
Or ideas that will show us some foliage on the way from Boston to that area?
Usually the traffic on the Kancamagus during the peak fall foliage weekend is bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic so since you’re coming up a little after peak you should miss most of that. If you’re coming up from Boston I would detour a bit and take Route 2 west to Route 12 up into NH, then take 12A in Keene NH, then Route 10 to Route 116, then finally to Route 112. Its a really nice road trip for fall foliage but it certainly adds a lot of time onto your drive. Feel free to shorten it up a bit by using alternate routes but it’s one of my favorites. 🙂
Hello, I’m planning to drive from S. Lancaster, MA, and would like to know how long or how many hours will it take for the detour in case I’m taking detour directions from Route 2 West to Route 12 up into NH, then 12A in Keene, then Route 10 to Route 116 then finally to Route 112?
Appreciate your comments.
go up highway 89 around 2 week of October
Will be peak by Oct 12?
Usually the fall foliage is at or just past peak at that time. Either way its definitely worth checking out! The traffic is much better when the foliage is just past peak.
Yes it will be perfect also.
I’m headed up tomorrow morning…here’s a link that may help – https://www.visitnh.gov/seasonal-trips/fall/foliage-tracker
Sadly it will be brown by then. It’s leaking right now. We just drove it today.
We will be driving on the Kancamangus Highway on Saturday, Oct. 16.. Any chance there will still be foilage to see?
Yes, there is a decent chance there will still be some fall colors to be had, and probably less traffic! 😉
https://www.visitnh.gov/seasonal-trips/fall/foliage-tracker
We are planning Oct 7 (Thu) to avoid weekend rush) on the Kanc. Will it be early or just the right time?
You will definitely see fall foliage colors in the Kancamagus Highway region. Predicting exact peak foliage dates is very difficult if not impossible but rest assured you will see nice fall colors this time of year. I you have a moment come back and post a few photos of your trip!
Sure. Thank you very much
Should be great – https://www.visitnh.gov/seasonal-trips/fall/foliage-tracker
Hi, the leaves on the Kancamagus should be either at peak or just past peak by that time. It is very hard to say for sure but the timing for peak fall foliage colors are supposed to be a little late this year which should make peak foliage around that time. Be sure to come back and post photos!
What percentage of leaves are already changed this weekend (10/2-10/3)?
We are thinking of coming this week (10/5 to 10/7). What’s the current status of foliage? Live Webcams seem to be out of date or not working. Thanks!
Maybe 5% or a bit more.
Heading to the Kanc this Saturday October 9th. Will there be good color / foliage this weekend? Thanks!
Heading to North Conway from Manchester NH Sunday Oct. 10th. What is most enjoyable route up? I see there is no real cold snap in the forecast for next 10 days except Saturday. I am wondering if I should push our trip out a week? Thank you for providing any information. The picture attached last time we visited Oct 14, 2018. Sites were stunning!!! I am bringing my son this time and hoping will behold what we did in 2018.
Thinking of coming over from Vermont to drive the Kanc this weekend, what’s the foliage looking like? Would next weekend be better? Just would like to know before heading out, thanks!
Has anybody visited Kancamagus highway recently and how it is looking?
I will be in Exeter for work next week. Can anyone suggest a no e route to drive to see fall foliage that is 3-4 hours round trip? Maybe also a great place to hav lunch!
Is fall colors peak in Kancamagus highway ?
Traffic on weekdays? Will be starting our drive back to GA from Acadia on Tuesday Oct. 15. Is traffic typically bumper to bumper mid-week after Columbus Day?
fall falliage colours in2024 dates?