As of Oct. 22, 2026, fall color in Massachusetts is past its peak in most places. Mass.gov notes that peak foliage often lines up with Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. This year, the Berkshires and central Massachusetts have mostly turned, while Cape Cod and parts of the coast were among the last areas to peak. There’s still color in the Boston area, and some orchards are still open for apple picking. This guide covers where to go in the last weeks of the season.
Tracking the color
The Department of Conservation and Recreation runs an interactive fall foliage map for 2026. You can search by date, location or DCR property to see current conditions and predicted peak. It’s the most reliable way to check a park before you drive there.
DCR parks close to Boston
DCR’s fall foliage page suggests these routes at state parks within about 30 miles of Boston:
- Middlesex Fells Reservation (4 Woodland Rd., Stoneham): the white-blazed Rock Circuit Trail starts across Woodland Road from Flynn Rink, 300 Elm St., Medford. It’s about 4 miles and at least three hours over steep, rocky outcrops, with views from Boojum Rock and the old MIT observatory. The orange-blazed Rock Circuit Connector makes it shorter.
- Blue Hills Reservation (725 Hillside St., Milton): the Houghton’s Pond Loop is short and easy for families. A 1-mile climb up Great Blue Hill (635 feet), the highest of the chain’s 22 hills, has views across the metro area.
- Walden Pond State Reservation (915 Walden St., Concord): the 1.7-mile Pond Path passes the site of Thoreau’s house, and a stone-dust Universal Access Trail runs through the woods. DCR warns the park can close to new arrivals on busy weekends.
- Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St., Saugus): the 3-mile Ridge Trail crosses rocky terrain with ocean views.
- Harold Parker State Forest (305 Middleton Rd., North Andover): an easy loop of about 3 miles circles Stearns Pond from the park headquarters.
- Bradley Palmer State Park (40 Asbury St., Topsfield): a level half-mile stone-dust trail runs along the Ipswich River, and a paved 1.5-mile road suits strollers and wheelchairs.
- Wompatuck State Park (204 Union St., Hingham): the paved 1-mile Health Heart Loop.
DCR advises planning ahead for restrooms, which aren’t available at every site. It also suggests arriving early or visiting on a weekday because lots fill quickly, and watching the time, since sunset comes earlier each week. Daily parking fees at several of these parks ended Oct. 14; Borderland State Park in North Easton charges year-round ($5 for Massachusetts vehicles, $20 for others).
Apple picking
Pick-your-own apple season in eastern Massachusetts usually winds down at the end of October. Every orchard decides when to close based on what’s left on the trees, so call or check online the day you plan to go.
Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow
Honey Pot Hill at 138 Sudbury Rd. in Stow listed apple picking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as of Oct. 22. It takes cash only, and a peck costs $25 and a half-bushel $38. The orchard posts which varieties are ready on its website.
Russell Orchards, Ipswich
Russell Orchards at 143 Argilla Rd. in Ipswich lists its picking season as September through October. Bags cost $28 for 10 pounds on weekends, and apples are $2.95 per pound on weekdays. The farm’s What’s Picking page lists varieties including McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, Jonagold, Crispin, Fuji and Liberty. Call 978-356-5366 to confirm conditions before you go.
Brooksby Farm, Peabody
Brooksby Farm at 54 Felton St. is owned by the City of Peabody. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the last apple-picking bags are sold at 4 p.m. Pets are not allowed. The farm store sells cider donuts, cider and pies, and its listed fall activities include hayrides and a maze. After apple season, the farm sells holiday pies, Christmas trees and wreaths, and it holds free story hours on Sundays in November. Call 978-531-7456 to confirm picking is still open.
Tips
- Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend traffic on routes 2, 117 and 1A can be slow in October.
- Bring cash. Some farms don’t take cards.
- Wear shoes that can get muddy, and check whether the farm allows dogs before you bring one.
- Once orchards close, the season moves on to holiday events. See our Christmas lights guide.
Related guides
- Boston Halloween 2026 guide
- Christmas lights near Boston 2026
- Malden city services guide
- Lexington restaurants guide
Sources
- Mass.gov: Fall foliage season in the parks
- Mass.gov: DCR unveils 2026 interactive fall foliage map
- Honey Pot Hill Orchards
- Russell Orchards: What’s Picking
- Brooksby Farm, City of Peabody
- Featured image: File:Russell Orchard, Ipswich, Massachusetts 04.JPG, Jane023, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Featured image: Russell Orchards in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Photo: Jane023 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Read next in Boston
Like this story? Get the newsletter
The day's Boston news, weather and local business in one short email, with links to the full stories.
Most read this week
- Iran–U.S. War Update: Trump Warns of ‘Finishing the Job’ as Hormuz Attacks Climb and Lavrov Visits Tehran
- Israeli Jets Fly to Iran Border in ‘Power Projection’ Before Election
- Keen Sword 27: U.S. and Japan Open Largest-Ever Island Defense Drills
- Keen Sword 27 Begins: U.S. and Japan Open Island Defense Drills Near Taiwan
- State of the U.S. Economy: Growth, Jobs, Prices and the Fed, Explained