🍁 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the Merrimack Valley & Beyond
Your 2026 Family Guide to Leaf Peeping, Fall Hikes & Scenic Drives
Are you wondering when the fall leaves will peak in the Merrimack Valley and where your family can go to see the best colors? Grab the sweatshirts, pack some cider donuts, and get ready for a fall adventure! From easy walks around ponds to wooded trails, castles, state forests, and scenic drives, there are plenty of beautiful places to enjoy autumn close to home.
We've updated our guide for the 2026 fall foliage season and added even more destinations throughout the Merrimack Valley and North Shore.
Last updated: September 13, 2026
🍂 When Will Fall Foliage Peak in the Merrimack Valley?
Peak foliage is never an exact science. Temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and other weather conditions can all affect how quickly the leaves change.
For 2026, families can use interactive foliage maps to follow the progression of color throughout Massachusetts. The state's Department of Conservation & Recreation also recommends its interactive foliage map for planning visits to Massachusetts state parks.
Check the 2026 Fall Foliage Map from The Old Farmer's Almanac
Another useful resource lets you search individual Massachusetts towns, parks, and scenic routes and see estimated foliage conditions.
Explore the 2026 Massachusetts Fall Foliage Map
Macaroni KID Tip: Don't wait for one specific "peak" weekend! The changing colors are beautiful for several weeks, and different trees — and even different parts of the same town — can change at different times.
🍁 Where to See the Best Fall Colors in the Merrimack Valley
1. Camp Denison — Georgetown
📍 84 Nelson Street, Georgetown
Camp Denison remains one of our favorite hometown spots for an easy family fall outing.
The 44-acre Camp Denison Conservation Area has nine marked trails plus access trails connecting the lodge and parking areas. The trails are color-coded and available from sunrise to sunset year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, and birdwatching.
The combination of woods, trails, water, and open spaces makes this a beautiful place to watch the leaves change — and you don't need to commit to a long hike with the kids.
2. Weir Hill — North Andover
📍 65 Stevens Street, North Andover
If you want a foliage walk with a view, put Weir Hill on your fall bucket list.
The 194-acre reservation rises above Lake Cochichewick, with trails traveling through woods and along more than a mile of shoreline. The property has about four miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate, with some more strenuous sections. Admission is free.
Follow the trails to higher ground for beautiful views across the Merrimack Valley, or stay closer to the lake for a family-friendly autumn walk.
You can even extend your adventure via the Stevens-to-Stevens Trail, which connects the area with Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.
3. Harold Parker State Forest — Andover & North Andover
📍 305 Middleton Road, North Andover
Want to feel like you've escaped much farther from home? Head into Harold Parker State Forest.
With 35 miles of trails and roads and 11 ponds, there are plenty of opportunities for fall hiking, biking, and exploring.
For families with younger children, the paved Berry Pond Road is closed to motorized traffic and is a nice option for young bikers and families with strollers. There's also an accessible stone-dust Healthy Heart Trail.
The ponds surrounded by colorful trees make this one of our favorite places to bring a camera in October.
Harold Parker State Forest Information
4. Winnekenni Park — Haverhill
📍 347 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill
Here's one that definitely deserves a place on our expanded foliage list!
Winnekenni Park encompasses approximately 700 acres, including Kenoza Lake, with about 9.4 miles of trails. Families can hike, bike, walk the dog, and enjoy nature throughout the property. Trails range from easy to moderate.
And, of course, there's Winnekenni Castle, which makes a fantastic backdrop for fall photos. The castle building itself is currently closed for rehabilitation, but the surrounding park remains the real foliage attraction.
5. Maudslay State Park — Newburyport
📍 74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport
If you're willing to venture just beyond the heart of the Merrimack Valley, Maudslay State Park is absolutely worth the drive.
This gorgeous former estate features 19th-century gardens, rolling meadows, towering pines, forests, and 16 miles of trails. It's a wonderful destination for walking, biking, picnicking, and simply wandering through the fall colors.
DCR even offers suggested family-friendly introductory walks through Maudslay's natural and historic landscapes.
Parking fees apply year-round, so check current information before heading out.
6. Bradley Palmer State Park — Topsfield
📍 40 Asbury Street, Topsfield
Another North Shore favorite, Bradley Palmer State Park offers 721 acres of pine-needled paths and sunny rolling meadows. Families can hike and bike through the former estate while taking in the changing autumn landscape.
The mix of wooded paths and wide-open fields makes this an especially pretty destination when the fall colors are at their best.
7. Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens — North Andover
📍 153 Chickering Road, North Andover
For families who prefer a leisurely stroll over a traditional hike, consider Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.
The historic estate and gardens provide a completely different foliage experience from nearby Weir Hill. You can also make a bigger adventure of your visit by exploring the Stevens-to-Stevens Trail, which connects toward Weir Hill and other conservation lands.
Keep in mind that dogs aren't permitted in the gardens, although leashed dogs are welcome at nearby Weir Hill.
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
8. Boxford State Forest — Boxford
For a quieter leaf-peeping adventure, explore Boxford State Forest and the network of wooded conservation areas surrounding it.
The area connects into the broader network of North Shore trails, including the Bay Circuit Trail, which links Boxford State Forest with Harold Parker State Forest.
This is a great choice for families looking for more of a true woods experience rather than manicured park grounds.
9. Georgetown's Other Conservation Trails — Georgetown
Camp Denison isn't Georgetown's only option!
Families can also explore Lufkins Brook, Meadow Pond, Crane Pond, Trestle Way, Little's Hill, and Pentucket Acres. Camp Denison provides information and links to trail maps for these nearby conservation areas.
Try a different trail each weekend and see how the colors change throughout the season.
Note: Crane Pond is a Wildlife Management Area where hunting is permitted, so families should check hunting-season information and take appropriate precautions before visiting.
🚗 BONUS: Take a Fall Foliage Drive!
Don't feel like hiking? You don't even have to leave the car to enjoy a beautiful New England fall day.
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism specifically recommends Route 133 as a North of Boston foliage drive. The route winds through the picturesque communities of Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, and Georgetown.
Make a day of it! Drive the back roads, stop for lunch, grab an apple cider donut, visit a farm stand, and let the kids choose a place to get out and explore.
🍁 Worth the Drive: More Fall Foliage Adventures
Want to turn leaf peeping into a day trip? Add a few more Massachusetts destinations to your list.
Halibut Point State Park in Rockport combines autumn scenery with dramatic coastal views — on a clear day, you can even see toward Maine and the Isles of Shoals.
Ravenswood Park in Gloucester is another excellent North Shore choice. Massachusetts tourism officials highlight its roughly 600 acres and 10 miles of mostly easy woodland trails as a great family foliage destination.
And if you're willing to travel farther west, Massachusetts' fall foliage season opens up a whole new collection of scenic drives, mountains, and state parks.
📸 Tips for a Family Leaf-Peeping Adventure
A little planning can make your fall outing much easier. Go earlier in the day on popular October weekends, bring water and snacks, dress in layers, and wear shoes appropriate for potentially muddy trails. DCR notes that parking can fill quickly at popular state parks during foliage season and recommends considering weekdays or arriving earlier or later in the day.
And don't forget to give the kids a camera! Have them photograph their favorite red, orange, yellow, and gold leaves and see how many different colors they can find.
🍎 Plan Your Family's 2026 Fall Adventures!
One of the best things about living in the Merrimack Valley is that you don't have to drive hours to experience a beautiful New England fall. From Camp Denison and Winnekenni Park to Weir Hill, Harold Parker State Forest, Maudslay State Park, and Bradley Palmer State Park, there are plenty of places to get outside and enjoy the season.
Pair your foliage adventure with apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a fall festival, or a cider donut stop, and you've got the makings of a perfect fall family day.
🍂 Where does your family go to see the best fall colors in the Merrimack Valley? Let us know about your favorite hidden gem so we can add it to our guide!
