Artists Bluff

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire · 2,337 ft

Bare <20% Typical peak was 31 days ago

Typical peak

Sep 27 – Oct 5

low confidence in typical timing.

Best light

Best at sunset

Classic view faces SSE (165°)

A bare rock knob above Echo Lake looks down the length of Franconia Notch, with Cannon Mountain's cliffs facing you across the gap. Both notch walls fill the frame, so the color reads as two opposing slopes rather than flat canopy.

Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated Nov 1, 2026.

Crowds

extreme

Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.

Coordinates

44.1812, -71.6981

Open in Maps

Getting there

Park at the Echo Lake and Bald Mountain lot on NH Route 18 at the north end of Franconia Notch State Park and climb about 0.3 mile of steep, rooty trail.

What turns here

red maple
paper birch
american beech

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 1

typical peak

Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Sep 10.

This season so far

Reported peak

None yet

Seen peak color here? Add a report.

First frost

Oct 4

13 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.

Last 14 days

52°F / 31°F

Average daily high and low.

Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.

Plan the light

Artists Bluff on October 1, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.

Solar event times for Artists Bluff on October 1, 2026
Event	Time
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	6:15 AM
Sunrise Rises E · 94°	6:44 AM
Morning golden hour ends 38 min of low, warm light	7:22 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light	12:36 PM
Evening golden hour starts 38 min before sunset	5:50 PM
Sunset Sets W · 266°	6:28 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	6:57 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 11h 44m · computed from NOAA solar equations.

Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.

Which way to point the camera

Both ends of the day: side-lit

Side light. Best for texture and depth across a ridge, and the safest bet for contrast.

Classic composition faces SSE (165°).

Shooting conditions

Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.

Recent reports

What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.

Nearby locations

Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.