5 Leaf-Peeping Road Trips In Massachusetts: When Foliage Peaks

MASSACHUSETTS — Fall foliage is nearing peak brilliance in Massachusetts, making the time ripe for a fall leaf-peeping road trip.

According to an interactive fall foliage map, the leaves in Massachusetts should be popping next week, reaching their most brilliant around Oct. 7 and then moving past peak by Oct. 14.

The map, from the travel site SmokyMountains.com uses a refined data model based on historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in specific geographic areas, and real-time user reports.

The map is easy to use. The slider at the bottom resets weekly to include the latest data. To see when leaves are expected to peak, move the slider to the right. Leaves haven’t started changing yet in green areas, and the brown color means foliage has passed its peak.

As with any meteorological forecast dependent upon weather variables, leaf predictions aren’t always 100 percent accurate, but the map does give Massachusetts leaf-peepers a good shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange, and sunny yellows.

Here are five Massachusetts fall leaf-peeping road trips:

• Mount Greylock summit, Lanesborough (drive or hike)
• Mount Wachusett, Westminster/Princeton (drive or hike)
• Mount Watatic, Ashburnham (hike)
• Blue Hills Reservation, Milton (hike)
• Mount Tom, Holyoke (drive or hike)

See Also: Where To Pick Apples In Massachusetts: 2024 Guide