Lake Willoughby North Beach

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont · 1,169 ft

No change 0–10% Peak in about 63 days

From the north beach the lake runs four miles south into the gap between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, whose cliffs drop straight into the water. Hardwoods on both walls turn while the spruce above them stays dark, so the ridges read as bands.

Typical peak

Sep 30 – Oct 8

Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.

Best light

Best at sunrise

Classic view faces SSE (159°)

Crowds

moderate

Fills up mid-morning. Arriving for first light is usually enough.

Coordinates

44.7794, -72.0725

Open in Maps

Getting there

Park at the public beach where VT Route 5A meets VT Route 16 at the north end of the lake in Westmore and walk about 100 feet to the shore.

What turns here

sugar maple
red maple
yellow birch
paper birch

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 4

typical peak

Color starts around Sep 13.

Light at peak

Lake Willoughby North Beach on October 4, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.

Solar event times for Lake Willoughby North Beach on October 4
Event	Time
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	6:20 AM
Sunrise Rises E · 95°	6:49 AM
Morning golden hour ends 39 min of low, warm light	7:28 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light	12:37 PM
Evening golden hour starts 39 min before sunset	5:45 PM
Sunset Sets W · 265°	6:24 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	6:53 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 11h 35m · computed from NOAA solar equations

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.

Based on the classic composition here facing SSE (159°).

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.