Seasons

A Fall Foliage Guide to the White Mountains

Western Maine turns earlier and holds longer than most of New England — here's how to time it.

Stow sits at higher elevation than the coast, right against the White Mountain National Forest, which means color usually starts here before it reaches most of the state. It's one of the quieter reasons people book this stretch of Maine specifically for October — you get real mountain foliage without the Kancamagus Highway traffic on the New Hampshire side.

When to come

Higher elevations near the house typically start turning in late September, with the broader valley reaching peak color through the first two to three weeks of October. Foliage timing shifts year to year with temperature and rainfall, so if you're planning around peak color specifically, check a state foliage tracker close to your trip rather than booking off a fixed date.

Evans Notch Scenic Byway

Route 113, the road that runs right past the house, is itself the Evans Notch Scenic Byway — a designated scenic drive that climbs through the White Mountain National Forest along the Maine–New Hampshire line. It's one of the least crowded fall drives in the region precisely because it's not the Kancamagus, and it passes directly by the Emerald Pool and Rattlesnake Pool trailheads if you want to stop and walk.

North Conway & Bridgton overlooks

Thirty minutes in either direction opens up more classic New England fall scenery: North Conway for mountain views alongside its shops and cafés, or Bridgton and the lakes region for water reflecting the color back at you. Both make an easy half-day loop from the house.

The best seat, though, might be the deck

The loft's hot tub and covered porch both face the hills directly, which means you can watch the color change from the water without going anywhere. Most of our fall guests build one full day around a drive or hike, and leave the rest of the trip for exactly that.