Residents in picturesque towns known for their stunning fall foliage have developed clever strategies to ward off bothersome tourists during the autumn 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 exasperated with the hazardous traffic congestion caused by these seasonal hotspots and have decided to block access to some of the most scenic routes in their area.
This dramatic move cuts off vehicles from reaching some local farms that are often flooded with people during the season.
Additionally, tiny figurines mocking ‘influencers’ trespassing on private roads have appeared in local gift shops, designed to deter their presence.
Influencers have been criticized for obstructing roads and preventing emergency vehicles from passing, often getting their cars stuck on rugged terrain and intruding 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.
The vibrant autumn colors at Sleepy Hollow Farm attract enthusiastic tourists eager to soak in the breathtaking views of 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 has also closed Jenne Road in Reading for a third consecutive year. Famous for its features in commercials and the film Forrest Gump, it remains another popular fall attraction.
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.’
