Vermont in October

pcdreams · #1 07/09/07, 10:07 AM

We're thinking of taking our vacation later this year (sometime in October) and because we love VT (and camping -- ok it saves $$) We were wondering what the weather is like that time of the year up there. Are the nights to cold for camping yet (our gear is good to 0)? Is the snow usually starting by then?

I realize its at the height of leaf peeper season. But we've got our little hidaway so....

MaineFarmMom · #2 07/09/07, 10:22 AM

It snowed two years ago when I was in Burlington in October. It didn't stay on the ground long. I wouldn't let a little snow stop me. It's too beautiful to miss.

pcdreams · #3 07/09/07, 10:33 AM

I agree

Just wanted to be sure there isn't usually 2 ft on the ground by then lol. Our property is pretty remote and we got a lil car this year instead of the (gas guzzler) truck.

George in NH · #4 07/09/07, 11:29 AM

Northern Vermont can be downright cold in October, but then again so can southern Vermont. Some years Vermont can be quite mild in October and others it can be overcast, rainy, sleet and some snow. Vermont is pretty much a beautiful state at any time of year.

My very first year I visited Vermont was in the beginning of October. I stayed in Peachem, in a cabin. I thought I'd about freeze to death (I was visiting from Florida). Although the weather was raw, I still managed to fall in love with Vermont. Makes me wonder why I live in New Hampshire? Well, I live in New Hampshire but all of my view is of Vermont.

The past few days it has been rainy and in the 60's during the day up in northern Vermont (St. Johnsbury area).

spectre · #5 07/09/07, 01:12 PM

Well what I have to say on the topic may or may not help.

It depends.

Last year it was warm and did not get cold until almost Christmas, in fact I was putting up siding on the addition one day in a t-shirt and 3 days later it was snowing.

Some years I have seen snow on the ground (and it stays there) before Halloween.

Last year we were camping in August and it was almost cold enough for a frost at night.

So it is very erratic, but if this year is like the last 2 the middle of October shouldn't be too bad.

Scott

GREG VT · #6 07/09/07, 01:23 PM

September early October is the best time to visit VT (unless you are coming to ski) in my opinion.

The weather can vary greatly, cold nights warm days, but you shouldn't see anything to extreme. Your 0 degree camping gear should be more then adequate.

We do the bulk of our camping after Labor day.

You might see some snow towards the end of October depending on where you are but it likely won't be much.

Whereabouts you planning on visiting?

Ford8N · #7 07/09/07, 03:54 PM

You don't have to go that that far unless you really want to. There is another dairy state that is hilly, beautiful and perfect for camping in October.

**highlands** · #8 07/09/07, 04:07 PM

Generally October is a beautiful time in Vermont. We live a bit east of Montpelier-Barre. Fall foliage peaks in the first half of October most years. The biting insects are all dead. The air is fresh and cool but not yet cold and the days are warm. At are place here in the mountains we sometimes get a little bit of snow, a few inches, but haven't the last few years. The rains and then real snow don't usually set in until November.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

pcdreams · #9 07/09/07, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREG VT

Whereabouts you planning on visiting?

We've got some acreage near Westfield (NEK). Planned to camp out there. Maybe a day or two at a hotel in/around bennington. If its as beatiful during fall as summer I can't wait!!

Sure like those <80 days and 40ish nights. beats the heat here. Been in the upper 80s lower 90s for, what seems, ever and we still have a while to go before it cools down (november)

PonderosaQ · #10 07/10/07, 06:31 AM

Finding a motel at a reasonable price in the Bennington area might be a little difficult
at that time of year. I know the campsite we stay in at Arlington is usually booked up well in advance due to the "leaf gawkers"! If you want to do that I'd suggest surfing for a decent price and making reservations now! That said it's gorgeous, reasonably cool and fresh up there at that time of year.
PQ

cchapman84 · #11 07/10/07, 06:45 AM

Westfield in October might be a bit chilly, might not be. I'm about a half hour from there, and have friends who live there. The latest we've camped is end of September, and that was about an hour and a half south of Westfield, and we just about froze (it got down just below freezing). In the northern mountains we generally have some snow within the first ten days of October, and it's possible to have it in the valleys by then too. A couple years ago we had a Nor'Easter in mid-late October that dumped about a foot of snow and knocked out power for a day or two in many areas, and we had a LOT of downed trees. Last year October was pretty nice, chilly but not terribly cold, and I don't think it was too rainy.

Also, by mid October a lot of the foliage up this way is already over, although it should still be nice in the Bennington area (and therefore pricey).

spectre · #12 07/10/07, 07:26 AM

Since I live in the Bennington area I will warn you that Columbus Day weekend is usually the end of peak foliage in that area (at least for the last several years).

There will be many tourists about on that weekend looking at the colors.

Hotels and campgrounds will be full so shop early.

Hope you have fun.

Scott

pcdreams · #13 07/10/07, 07:51 AM

thanks for the info folks. I know the motel where we stay in Bennington (Knotty pine) is almost always full when we're there (late august-early September) as is the Camping on the Battenkill in Arlington.

sound like we may want to try and push our vacation back a week or so if we want to see it up north.

GREG VT · #14 07/10/07, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcdreams

We've got some acreage near Westfield (NEK). Planned to camp out there. Maybe a day or two at a hotel in/around bennington. If its as beatiful during fall as summer I can't wait!!

Sure like those <80 days and 40ish nights. beats the heat here. Been in the upper 80s lower 90s for, what seems, ever and we still have a while to go before it cools down (november)

That's right in my neck of the woods. I'm about 30 or so miles as the crow flies from Westfield. My buddy has a camp in Troy.

We were deer hunting in t-shirts last November in that area.

Course you certainly can't count on that every year!