Fall Foliage Season In Acadia Area

[Verseau]

Here are some Acadia photos taken over the years (by various photographers). Some years the first week of October is great for color, but most years the second week seems to be a safer bet, especially in recent years (maybe because of warmer temperatures?):

2011
October 5th
October 8th
October 12th

2010
October 2nd
October 7th
October 14th

2009
October 2nd
October 12th

2008
October 2nd
October 6th
October 12th
October 14th


Edit: as you can see from Ghengis' photos, the 3rd week of October is usually past peak. I think there are rare exceptions (in 2009, for example, it seems like the colors peaked later than usual)

[slyfox2]

In 2007, there were still unchanged leaves on the trees....not a lot, but it wasn't closed down in late october.

[LauraC]

I think I'm just going to have to stay longer next year.

Thank you all for your help including the photos and links to photos. I appreciate it a lot. Since I will be driving through New England, I had guessed (maybe wrongly) that Acadia got the colors first and then the color came down through the other states.

Where I live in Tennessee, peak fall foliage is usually the last week of October. I chase it from the mountains to the east (starts around 10/12) and plateau to the west to where I live in the valley and get it last (right before Halloween). When we had drought conditions in 2008, some of the best color was November 7 but last year it was the middle to third week of October. It's easier to be loosey-goosey and just wait if you live in the area. You go too soon, you just go back in a few days. It's harder if you are making travel arrangements for a multi-day drive to a state far away.

I will be in Michigan's upper peninsula this year (without a laptop) and thought I wouldn't be able to monitor when the colors hit in Acadia and other New England areas if it coincided with the time I was gone so again, thank you and will be looking forward to Fall 2013 in your neighborhood.

[Verseau]

Originally Posted by LauraC

I think I'm just going to have to stay longer next year.

Thank you all for your help including the photos and links to photos. I appreciate it a lot. Since I will be driving through New England, I had guessed (maybe wrongly) that Acadia got the colors first and then the color came down through the other states.

Latitude certainly makes a difference, but elevation is the more important factor. The higher mountain elevations of northern NE will peak around the start of October; the lower mountain elevations and surrounding valleys typically hit peak about a week later (usually coinciding with Columbus Day weekend). By the following week, the northernmost coastal areas will have seen peak, as well as the higher elevations in southern New England (i.e. the Berkshires). Coastal areas of southern ME & NH follow suit along with inland areas of southern New England. The coasts of southern NE usually don't peak until the last week in October, and in some instances (especially in Boston), peak might get pushed into November.

[FNolan]

The wife and I will be on vacation the week of the 8th and planing on hitting Acadia Park for at least a couple of days. Hope we timed it right for peak colors

[birdinmigration]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

First full week in October should meet your need. Cider and donuts, foliage and clear skies. Book your B&B early. It's a popular time.

I can't wait! I'm tired of summer.

[ruvidu]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

First full week in October should meet your need. Cider and donuts, foliage and clear skies. Book your B&B early. It's a popular time.

We will be there on 10/1. Where do we get the cider and donuts?

[dgthree]

Originally Posted by Verseau

Here are some Acadia photos taken over the years (by various photographers). Some years the first week of October is great for color, but most years the second week seems to be a safer bet, especially in recent years (maybe because of warmer temperatures?):

2011
October 5th
October 8th
October 12th

2010
October 2nd
October 7th
October 14th

2009
October 2nd
October 12th

2008
October 2nd
October 6th
October 12th
October 14th


Edit: as you can see from Ghengis' photos, the 3rd week of October is usually past peak. I think there are rare exceptions (in 2009, for example, it seems like the colors peaked later than usual)

great photos and post to put the foliage season into perspective.