Across most of northern New England, the first leaves begin to change by early September in low-lying areas. This gradual process in which the trees change colors starts in the higher elevations of the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont with peak colors usually occurring in the first week of October. Moving south across the farmlands of southern Vermont, southern New Hampshire, and the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts in mid-October and usually ending along the sea coast and southern New England in late October to early November. Learn How, When & Where to shoot fall foliage in New England