Peak Saturdays bring a massive amount of leaf peepers to Stowe. Despite last weekend’s viral reel and every business posting about skipping traffic, yesterday’s line to Stowe was as long as ever. This is what the line looked like 12+ miles from Stowe!
🍂 My siblings took this video while driving north around noon. I was minding my own business, walking through a cemetery above Waitsfield, when they sent me this hilarious update. Laughing at peepers is a time-honored tradition for all VT families!
Since I’m a scorpio who likes to poke the bear (and wanted to see Paddle O-Ween at the reservoir), I decided to find out if the traffic to Stowe is really as bad as it seems (also I made the best fall playlist so I came prepared to chill).
✨ Around 2:30, I drove from the MRV through Waterbury village. The highway was clear by then and I didn’t hit traffic until about half a mile before the reservoir (7 miles from Stowe). But then it took a solid 30 mins to crawl that half mile. This must’ve taken hours to get through when it was backed up to 89!
I’m not posting this to hate on Stowe or make people cancel trips. Stowe is gorgeous and famous for a reason. I want everyone to be aware of what peak weekends look like and plan accordingly. If you want to actually see Stowe and not just sit in traffic, don’t come on peak weekends!
⭐️ Weekdays are SO much better for experiencing this whole area. Take your time and explore Waterbury village, the reservoir, local state parks, and drive the Notch to Jeffersonville. Most people stop at the top of the Notch and return to Stowe, but the Jeffersonville side of Mt. Mansfield is just as stunning!
You can also rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards from @umiakoutfitters, who hosted an awesome Paddle O-Ween yesterday (wait until you see the full reel lol). Feel free to come float at the res in costume anytime!!
3 days agojhein_84
This is also now the standard in western NC. People lined up and down the roads to see the foliage. I don’t think people realize that seeing the colors is a lot different than experiencing the colors. You can’t do the latter in major traffic or surrounded by tourists.
6 days agokel_d_rn
It’s the same thing in NH. But I won’t tell anyone where else to see foliage other than the kank and Conway. Locals need places to go also.
8 days agomrs.boucherscustoms
My hot air balloon ride got cancelled due to wind this past week, so we hit Stowe for the Gondala pics instead. Go early. I have over 1000 pics and there were hardly people there. Go early!
9 days agoloveonourhill
I personally avoid Stowe any season! Not trying to bash it, I just prefer so many other places more!
9 days agoj_squared_eatz
We love Stowe and have been coming up to hike for 10 years. We call all of these fake hikers “Fikers” lol. Where do you suggest that has all the glam but non of the madness. Been thinking about Lake Willouby area
9 days agoharish_moghe
Woodstock is waste all points in reels like bridges, the church point etc are just waste.. nothing fancy there
11 days agokduncan86
Insane. I grew up there and come back regularly and I’ve never seen that long a line except for an accident. Also people may not realize that fall foliage peaks in different regions of Vermont at different times—depending on weather and geography. One week North East kingdom is beautiful, a different week Stowe, another week Killington. Also each year is different depending on rain and temps. I drive regularly between Burlington area and Montpelier and I’m always amazed at the different climates just between the two.
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