Locals living in stunning fall foliage towns have conjured up cunning plans to keep annoying tourists at bay when they flock during the autumnal months.
Excited vacationers have started traveling to Vermont’s countryside, ready to experience beautiful views of color-changing leaves.
But the overflow of selfie-snapping influencers disrupting the peace have become too much for some residents to bear in New England.
Locals are so fed up with the dangerous traffic jams caused by the autumn hotspots – so have voted to close some of the most scenic routes in their neighborhood.
This dramatic move cuts off vehicles from reaching some local farms that are often flooded with people during the season.
Not only that, but miniature figurines poking fun at ‘influencers’ trespassing on private roads have popped up in local gift shops – aimed to make them feel unwelcome.
Influencers have been accused of blocking roads and emergency vehicles from getting through, while often getting their cars stuck on uneven ground and getting into residents’ driveways.
Laura Seymour, a Vermont local, told the Wall Street Journal why she escaped to the French countryside during her home state’s prime season.
Fall tree colors at Sleepy Hollow Farm, excited tourists are flocking to the countryside, ready to experience beautiful views of color changing leaves
Residents are fed up with the dangerous traffic jams caused by the autumn hotspots
Local residents are fed up with influencers blocking roads and emergency vehicles from getting through
‘I hate to say it, but we probably picked this time to actually avoid some of the traffic on our road,’ Seymour told WSJ.
Residents voted to close Cloudland Road, which leads to Sleepy Hollow Farm in Pomfret, for the third consecutive year.
The maple syrup state also closed Jenne Road in Reading, for a third year. The road is known for its appearances in commercials and the film Forrest Gump, another autumn hotspot.
But Vermont’s economy thrives off tourism – regardless of how locals feel.
New 2025 data showed that tourism is a four billion dollar industry, with an economic impact report estimating a whopping 15.8 million visitors traveled to Vermont in 2023.
‘Tourism has always been important to Vermont, but this new data underscores tourism’s role in driving the economy in every corner of our state,’ says Commerce Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, in a press release.
She added that residents must support businesses and workers to provide travelers with ‘experiences that make Vermont unforgettable.’
One local is definitely creating an atypical but unforgettable experience.
Burlington artist Alex Bonson created collectible figures to poke fun at screen-obsessed visitors.
The tiny figure shows a woman, dressed country-esque with boots and a hat, holding a phone.
Burlington artist Alex Bonson created collectible figures to poke fun at screen-obsessed visitors
The figure reads: ‘Influencer Trespassing on Private Road,’ accompanied by mocking hashtags that read #autumnvibes and #sweaterweather
Bonson added his inspiration comes from the most ‘basic influencer’ you see when you search ‘fall foliage’
Overcrowded roads with bumper-to-bumper traffic triggered the state to ban visitors from fall foliage attractions
Many locals supported tourists coming during the fall, and experiencing the stunning views and great food the state offers
Above the figure reads: ‘Influencer Trespassing on Private Road,’ accompanied by mocking hashtags that read #autumnvibes and #sweaterweather.
‘It really comes from the most common influencer you see when you type in “Vermont Foliage” on TikTok or Instagram,’ Bonson told the WSJ.
His website shows another satire collectible of cars in congested traffic on a scenic highway, titled ‘Leaf Peepers Blocking Traffic.’
Bonson even donated a portion of his sales to a 2023 campaign that raised over $20,000 for sheriff deputies to man the Cloudland Road closure.
Locals say the so-called influencer era has brought a different kind of tourist to the area – one that does not mind blocking traffic or getting into residents’ driveways to get that perfect shot.
Residents part of the ‘I grew up in Vermont’ Facebook group shared mixed feelings when it comes to the influx of tourists.
Many supported tourists coming during the fall, and experiencing the stunning views and great food the state offers.
One local wrote: ‘Vermont is both a great place to visit and a great place to live and you can’t say that about everywhere.’
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A rendering of the South End Coordinated Redevelopment Project, courtesy of Andrew Foley, development director at Jonathan Rose Companies. Credit: GOA Architecture.
