Last Updated: July 2, 2026
Vermont is where we have family and friends who we love to visit, especially during the fall. The area has mountains, rivers, wildlife, and pristine forests without the crowds.
Bennington, Vermont
Old First Church (Robert Frost burial site): Monument Avenue, Bennington, VT 05201 — open seasonally; grounds accessible daily. Poet Robert Frost is buried in the churchyard; his simple grave marker reads “I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.” Bennington Battle Monument: 15 Monument Circle, Bennington, VT 05201; (802) 447-0550 — open May through October, 9 am–5 pm. Admission: $5 adults; $1 children. At 306 feet, it’s the tallest man-made structure in Vermont and offers sweeping views of the Green Mountains, Taconic Range, and Adirondacks on a clear day.
Bennington is located in the southwestern corner of Vermont in the Green Mountains. It was only a couple hour drive from where we were staying in New York.
The historic district is quaint and only about 16,000 people live here. Unfortunately, it was too early for fall colors here.
Lunch at the Mount Anthony Country Club was delicious. We reminisced about the days we belonged to The Crosby and traveled to so many golf destinations.
Pine Hollow Campground
The campground is located in Pownal, just south of Bennington. They had full service, satellite reception, and decent internet. Our site was huge. We stayed here a couple of years ago. The views of the pond were serene and Jake loved chasing frogs into it.
Quechee, Vermont
We stayed at the KOA in Quechee. They had full service and good internet. Our coach pulled in and faced a wooded area. It was a great opportunity to visit and have an amazing lunch and good conversation with Bob and Jeannette in Bradford, Vermont.
We also really enjoyed visiting Sandy’s Aunt De in New Hampshire. She has a butterfly bush in her front yard and it was covered in Monarch butterflies.
A migrating Milbert’s Tortoiseshell from Quebec on De’s butterfly bush.
Barton, Vermont
The town of Barton is in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Only about 3,000 people live here but it’s a popular tourist destination.
We really enjoy visiting family. Life slowed down and we were able to catch our breath from all the traveling. Sandy’s stepfather was nice enough to install 50 amp service in his yard so we could park the RV at their house, optimizing our time to visit. This especially allowed the dogs, Jake and Sadie, to play multiple times a day. They wore each other out and slept well each night! Sandy couldn’t resist writing “Huntley” on the service pole before we left.
Sylvia’s home cooking and apple sauce were delicious and it was a nice break from cooking for Michael. Sandy helped her mom plant daffodil bulbs and bring in the flower pots for the winter. Rich got his tree blinds ready for hunting season and amused the neighbors at the same time.
In the past, we stayed at The White Caps Campground at Lake Willoughby. Jake enjoyed exploring the area again.
Lake Willoughby: Located along Route 5A in Westmore, Vermont — no admission fee; the lake and beach areas are accessible year-round. The lake is remarkably deep (300+ feet) and surrounded by Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah on its western and eastern shores, creating a dramatic fjord-like appearance unique in New England. The water stays cold even in midsummer, which keeps summer crowds manageable. Willoughby Falls: Located on the Willoughby River just off Route 5 near Orleans, Vermont — free and accessible year-round. In spring, the falls are a prime spot to watch Atlantic salmon and Steelhead Rainbow Trout attempting their upstream run.
It was quite a show when the fall colors hit their peak on a sunny day.
On clear nights we watched the International Space Station move across the sky. The event would only last 2-4 minutes, but I was able to capture it with a 30 second exposure. The setting sun would shine light on the space station making the viewing time vary each night.
When not watching the space station at night, I photographed the Milky Way. While waiting for the Northern Lights (which we never saw), we did a light ball photograph. Sandy enjoyed talking with her mom in the car where it was warm while Michael photographed the stars.
The Willoughby River, near the town of Orleans, creates the Willoughby Falls. In the spring, Steelhead Rainbow Trout run up the river.
We love all the fall colors and scenery.
Shaggy Mane mushrooms poking through fall maple leaves. They are edible, but best to harvest the new ones because they rapidly decompose and liquify after picking them.
We went to Derby Line Inn for a delicious meal. It’s located right at the US/Canadian border.
Almost daily we saw wild turkeys or deer. This Red Admiral butterfly posed on an aster flower.
May Pond was a very short drive away. We loved going there daily as the leaves changed to their peak.
Practical Tips for Vermont Fall Foliage
Fall foliage peaks mid-to-late October in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom — typically 1–2 weeks later than southern Vermont. The Northeast Kingdom (Barton, Orleans, Newport) tends to peak around Columbus Day weekend (mid-October), making it one of the last regions in New England to reach full color. Check foliagenetwork.com for weekly color reports that let you time your visit precisely. Visit May Pond early in the morning — the still water creates mirror-perfect reflections of the foliage, and by midday the wind usually picks up and breaks the surface. Worth setting the alarm for golden hour. Lake Willoughby stays cold year-round — even in late summer the water temperature stays in the 60s°F. It’s refreshing for a swim but be prepared. The shallow beach areas near the public access points warm up a bit by August. For stargazing and Milky Way photography, the Northeast Kingdom has some of the darkest skies in the eastern US. A wide-angle lens (14–24mm), a tripod, and ISO settings around 3200 with a 20–25 second exposure get you started. Check the moon phase calendar — a new moon night is essential. NASA’s Spot the Station tool gives exact ISS pass times for any location. Route 5A along Lake Willoughby is one of the most scenic roads in Vermont — do not rush it, especially at peak color. The stretch between West Burke and Barton is extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Vermont fall foliage peak? It depends on where you are in the state. Southern Vermont (Bennington, Brattleboro) typically peaks in early to mid-October. Central Vermont peaks around Columbus Day weekend. The Northeast Kingdom — Barton, Orleans, Newport — peaks mid-to-late October, often a full two weeks behind southern Vermont. This staggered peak means you can follow the color north over several weeks, which is exactly what this road trip allowed us to do.
What is the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont? The Northeast Kingdom refers to the three northeastern counties of Vermont — Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans — a rural, sparsely populated region known for its stunning scenery, working farms, dark skies, covered bridges, and genuine small-town character. The name was coined by former Governor George Aiken in 1949 and it stuck. Towns like Barton, Orleans, and St. Johnsbury serve as its informal centers. It draws travelers seeking Vermont’s character without the crowds of the more touristy southern regions.
Is Lake Willoughby worth visiting? Absolutely — it’s one of the most visually striking lakes in New England and still relatively undiscovered by tourists outside Vermont. The combination of deep cold water, steep flanking mountains, and brilliant fall foliage creates a fjord-like landscape that genuinely surprises visitors who aren’t expecting it. In autumn it’s world-class; in summer it’s a quiet, uncrowded swimming and kayaking destination. Route 5A along the western shore is one of the most scenic drives in the state year-round.
What is there to do in Barton, Vermont? More than you might expect from a town of 3,000 people. May Pond is exceptional for fall foliage reflection photography and early morning walks. Crystal Lake State Park has a beach, boat launch, and impressive fall views. Willoughby Falls nearby is excellent for watching the spring salmon and trout run. The surrounding forests are outstanding for birding, deer watching, and dark-sky stargazing. The area comes alive during foliage season with farm stands, local restaurants, and leaf-peeping drives along Routes 5 and 5A.
Can you photograph the Milky Way in Vermont? Yes — and the Northeast Kingdom is one of the best places on the East Coast to do it. The low population density and absence of major cities means light pollution is minimal. May Pond in Barton, with its reflective surface and open sky, is a particularly good location. A clear night with no moon (check the lunar calendar), a wide-angle lens, a sturdy tripod, and ISO 1600–6400 with 20–30 second exposures are all you need to get started. Temperatures drop sharply at night in October, so dress in layers and bring a headlamp.
