Crisp Fall Air Awaits At One Of Vermont's Top-Notch State Parks For Vibrant Foliage Views

Vermont is one of the world's best destinations for fall foliage (and certainly one of the best for an autumnal American road trip). However, narrowing down where to visit within Vermont can be tricky, as the entire state seems to erupt with colors beyond the classic green in late September. 

Choose Smugglers' Notch State Park in the picturesque Green Mountains for incredible views, winding roads, and rural charm. This narrow, cliff-lined pass is named after the many smugglers who used the route to transfer illegal goods in and out of Canada, starting during the Canadian trade embargoes in the early 19th century and continuing during Prohibition in the 1920s. You can still find smuggler's caves hidden in the ancient rock formations and rocky hills. 

Smugglers' Notch is also considered one of the best state parks to visit on the East Coast during autumn. All of your Vermont fall dreams will come true here, with its dramatic hues, trails to waterfalls, and connection to famously charming towns like Stowe, "Fall's Color Capital." Charge the camera and pack the bag, because we've got some foliage to capture.

To reach Smugglers' Notch State Park, take the Green Mountain Byway until it turns into the Smugglers' Notch Scenic Byway at the beginning of the park. Considered one of Vermont's most scenic drives, it connects the towns of Stowe and Jeffersonville, providing access to all the sights of Smugglers' Notch, from forests and cliffs to hiking trails and campgrounds, and with plenty of pull-outs to enjoy the foliage and snap a few photos. If you're traveling to Vermont from destinations farther afield, fly into the Burlington airport and rent a car for the hour-long drive to the park. 

The road through Smugglers' Notch, which requires careful driving due to its tight turns, towering cliffs, and single-lane sections, is closed during the winter and in inclement weather. Make sure the road is open before visiting, even in the autumn. For the best reds, yellows, and oranges, it's usually best to visit in the first three weeks of October to experience Vermont at its peak fall foliage (which is nothing short of spectacular).

Leaf peeping in Smugglers' Notch is a worthy activity on its own, but there's plenty more to fill your time. Hike on one of the park's iconic trails, like Bingham Falls, Sterling Pond, or Hellbrook, or explore some of the natural caves, many used by the same smugglers that gave the park its name. The park is also known for its historic fireplaces constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and is a well-known spot for climbing aficionados — Vermont's tallest mountain, Mount Mansfield, is on one side of the notch. Within an easy drive of the park, you'll find farm stands, distilleries, breweries, and some more of Vermont's cutest towns. 

Consider camping in the park's picturesque campground to sleep surrounded by the beautiful forest. If you're traveling with kids in tow, stay at the nearby family-friendly Smugglers' Notch Resort, where you can experience specialty fall activities, including an e-bike tour of the foliage.