New England leaf peeping gallery

New England is known for being home to some of the most dazzling fall foliage in the world. Tourists come from all over the country to enjoy the vivid hues of gold, red, and orange. Some years are better for leaf peeping than others. Check out the foliage we encountered during the 2013 autumn season.

2013 Leaf Peeping Season

The fall colors this season were not as bright as I expected. This could be due to lack of rain in the New England area. Being my first time in the New England area during the fall months, I was anticipating more of a dramatic change. Definitely disappointing, however, were were still able to manage to capture a few nice photos.

We visited several state parks, both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, seeking beautiful fall colors. We were disappointed each time, due to the lack of bright colors. The colors seemed murky/dull, with no dramatic photograph opportunities. Every once in a while, we would spot a bright tree or 2, but nothing overly spectacular. Surprisingly, the Minuteman Bike Path in Massachusetts provided us with the best photo opportunities.

Take a look at the photos below, taken in various states – Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We were unable to make it up to the upper New England states this year, however, we heard that the colors were not that impressive there either this year. Did your town see a lot of fall colors this year? Which area near you had the best colors this season?

Connecticut Fall Foliage

Fall colors at Devil's Hopyard State Park in Connecticut

A beautiful combo of brightly colored trees.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard in East Haddam.

Scenic fall colors in East Haddam, CT

Gorgeous fall colors across a walkway.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Pretty yellow fall foliage at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Pretty yellow foliage during the peak of fall.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Hadadam.

Beautiful waterfall in East Haddam, CT

A beautiful waterfall surrounded by a hint of fall colors.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Bright foliage at Devil's Hopyard in East Haddam

Scenic yellow foliage along the trail.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard in East Haddam

Foliage and leaves on the path at Devil's Hopyard State Park

The perfect fall setting…scattered leaves on the path & colored trees.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam.

Covered bridge with fall foliage in East Haddam

What’s more scenic than a covered bridge surrounded by fall foliage?
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Red foliage at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Gorgeous red foliage along the trail.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Fall foliage reflection at Devil's Hopyard State Park

What a beautiful fall color water reflection on the pond.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Old bridge with fall colors in East Haddam, CT

An old bridge surrounded by fall foliage.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Bridge and fall colors at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Pockets of yellow foliage surrounding a bridge.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard in East Haddam

Orange and yellow foliage at Devil's Hopyard State Park

These orange and yellow fall colors really stand out amongst the bare trees.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Scenic stream at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Scenic stream surrounded by pretty fall foliage.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Pretty colors among the hills at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Beautiful colors in the forests; what a peaceful fall setting for a hike.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Covered bridge with fall foliage in East Haddam CT

A side view of a covered bridge. The fall foliage makes for a perfect fall photo opportunity.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Yellow foliage at Devil's Hopyard State Park

Stunning yellow foliage amidst a group of barren trees.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Foliage reflection on the river at Devil's Hopyard

Yellow reflection in the river; one of the only trees in this area that still has its’ leaves.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Fall colors refecting at Devil's Hopyard

Pretty fall colors reflecting in the river.
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Gorgeous colors lining the road in Salem, CT

Gorgeous colors lining the road.
Location: Salem

Fall colors in Mystic, CT

Pretty fall colors observed from a scenic overlook.
Location: Mystic

Fall colors in Connecticut

A gorgeous medley of fall colors on the hills.
Location: Top floor of the Mohegan Sun parking lot in Montville

Road side fall foliage in Connecticut

Beautiful roadside fall foliage; who wouldn’t pull over for this view?
Location: Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam

Massachusetts Fall Foliage

Fall colors at Myles Standish State Forest in Carver, MA

Fall colors reflecting on a pond.
Location: Myles Standish State Forest in Carver

A row of red foliage in Swansea, Massachusetts

An amazing row of bright red foliage.
Location: Swansea

Beautiful red foliage in Swansea, Massachusetts

Striking red foliage spotted when driving down the street.
Location: Swansea

Great orange foliage in Raynham, Massachusetts

The orange foliage is so bright on this tree – I just had to pull over!
Location: Raynham

Beautiful row of fall foliage in Middleboro, Massachusetts

Great row of orange and red foliage at the park.
Location: Middleboro

Fall colors at Houghton Pond in Massachusetts

Fall colors starting to peak through at Houghton Pond.
Location: Houghton Pond in Milton

Pretty orange foliage at Blue Hills Reservation

Gorgeous orange hills seen from the Eliot Tower overlook.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation in Milton

Colorful fall foliage on the Blue Hills Ski Hill

Gorgeous colors on the ski slope provide a perfect setting for a fall walk.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation Ski Hill in Milton

Beautiful foliage at Blue Hills Reservation

Beautiful foliage seen from a ski lift fall foliage ride.
Location: Blue Hills Ski Area in Milton

Beautiful red foliage at Blue Hills

Beautiful red foliage near the ski hill.
Location: Blue Hills Ski Area in Milton

Yellow foliage at Blue Hills Reservation

This yellow foliage really stands out amongst the pines.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation in Milton

Gorgeous foliage while hiking Blue Hills

A mid October hike through the golden leaves.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation in Milton

Yellow foliage at Blue Hills Reservation

The yellow foliage provides the perfect setting for a fall hike.
Location: Blue Hills Reservation in Milton

Stunning orange foliage along Massachusetts Minuteman Path

A stunning orange tree along the bike path.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway near Cambridge

Bright orange tree along the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts

Beautiful bright orange tree along the bike path provide the perfect setting for a fall ride.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway

Bright orange tree along the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts
Fall colors on both sides of the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts

This brilliantly colored tree was worth pulling over for a picture.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway near Lexington

Beautiful fall colors & scattered leaves on both sides of the bike path; a perfect photo opportunity!
Location: Minuteman Bikeway near Bedford

Yellow foliage along the Massachusetts Minuteman Path

This yellow foliage really stands out on the path.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway near Bedford

Gorgeous yellow foliage at the start of the Minuteman Bikeway in Massachusetts

Gorgeous bright yellow foliage at the start of the bike path really pumps you up.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway in Bedford

A row of brightly colored trees along the Massachusetts Minuteman Path

A row of brightly colored orange trees; my favorite leg of the path.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway

Beautiful orange foliage along the Massachusetts Minuteman Path

A stunning orange colored tree makes it easier to continue the ride.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway

Yellow foliage along the Massachusetts Minuteman Bikeway

Riding amongst the yellow foliage; the 10 mile journey is so much easier with views like this!
Location: Minuteman Bikeway

Bright yellow foliage along the Minuteman Bikeway

Nothing better than a fall bike ride with this beautiful yellow foliage.
Location: Minuteman Bikeway

Fall colors in Salem, Massachusetts

A medley of fall colors
Location: Salem

Beautiful fall colors on the Salem harbor

Beautiful colors on an October cruise
Location: Haunted Harbor cruise by Mahi Mahi Cruises in Salem

Fall colors lining the streets of Salem

What’s more gorgeous than fall colors lining both sides of the street?
Location: Essex Street in Salem

Pretty yellow foliage in Salem, Massachusetts

Scenic fall colors along the street
Location: Essex Street in Salem

Fall colors lining the street in Salem, Massachusetts

Yellow foliage lining the streets
Location: Essex Street in Salem

Fall colors at Old Burying Point Cemetery Salem, Massachusetts

Cemeteries are often top spots for fall photography
Location: Old Burying Point Cemetery in Salem

Rhode Island Fall Foliage

Fall colors in Providence Rhode Island

An almost complete row of beautiful red foliage.
Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence

Brightly colored tree in Providence Rhode Island

Gorgeous red foliage at the park.
Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence

Beautiful fall colors in Providence, Rhode Island

Gorgeous combination of fall colors along a walking path.
Location: Blackstone Blvd. walking path in Providence

Pretty red foliage in Providence, Rhode Island

Red foliage along a walking path
Location: Blackstone Blvd. walking path in Providence

Fall scene in Providence, Rhode Island

An ideal fall scene along a walking path
Location: Blackstone Blvd. walking path in Providence