Autumn in New England isn’t just a season – the Indian Summer Magic is a performance.
Every year, the forests put on a show so vivid it feels impossible that these colors occur naturally. The greens fade into gold, the yellows deepen into amber, and the reds glow as if lit from within. If you’ve never experienced an Indian Summer in New England, imagine walking through a living painting, where every gust of wind rearranges the canvas.
Last October, I planned a road trip specifically to chase this fleeting beauty. Armed with my camera, a thermos of coffee, and an appetite for winding roads, I set off from the rocky coast of Maine toward the rolling hills of Vermont. I didn’t just want pretty pictures – I wanted to capture the feeling of being surrounded by this explosion of color.
Below the photo are my favorite New England locations for photographing the Indian Summer, each with its own mood, light, and personality.
New England Locations you should not miss
White Mountains, New Hampshire
The White Mountains are a photographer’s dream in autumn. I started my journey at Franconia Notch State Park, where the steep slopes looked like they’d been quilted in red, orange, and yellow.
One of the best spots is Artist’s Bluff, a short but steep hike that rewards you with a panoramic view of Echo Lake surrounded by fiery forest. Early morning is magical here — the lake becomes a mirror, doubling the autumn colors in its still surface.
Pro tip: Bring a polarizing filter to cut glare on the water and make the colors pop.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is one of the rare places where you can watch the sunrise over the ocean and then turn around to see mountains drenched in autumn hues.
On Cadillac Mountain, I stood in the dark, watching the horizon glow before the first light spilled over the Atlantic. As the sun rose, it lit the forests below, setting them ablaze with gold. Down in Jordan Pond, the reflections of the Bubbles mountains and surrounding trees made for serene, postcard-perfect shots.
Pro tip: The light here changes fast – shoot wide at first to capture the full scene, then switch to a telephoto for details in the forest canopy.
Stowe, Vermont
If you close your eyes and picture “quintessential New England autumn,” you’re probably imagining Stowe. The white church steeple, the rolling hills, and the surrounding maples all seem designed to make a photographer’s heart race.
In the mornings, a thin layer of mist often clings to the valleys, making the colors seem even more saturated. The Scenic Toll Road up Mount Mansfield offers breathtaking views of patchwork hills stretching to the horizon.
Pro tip: The town itself is incredibly photogenic – don’t just shoot landscapes, capture small-town life too.
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Known affectionately as “The Kanc,” this 34-mile stretch is pure autumn road-trip heaven. Every curve reveals a new view – a river framed by golden birches, a valley carpeted in red maples, or a distant ridge glowing in morning light.
I pulled over so many times I lost count. One moment I was photographing an old wooden bridge, the next I was knee-deep in leaves trying to frame a waterfall with branches overhead.
Pro tip: Plan extra time – you’ll stop a lot.
