When you hear “Pomfret,” your mind might jump to the popular fish found on menus worldwide, but there’s another Pomfret making headlines—and it’s not on a plate. Nestled in the rolling hills of Vermont, the quaint town of Pomfret is famed for its stunning autumnal landscapes that transform into a mesmerising palette of reds, oranges, and yellows every fall. This scenic beauty has long attracted leaf-peepers and photographers. However, recently, the influx of social media influencers has caused a wave of concern.
The Charming Town Where Influencers Are No Longer Welcome
This small rural town turns into a captivating autumn wonderland every year. Its rolling hills, farm fields, and thick forests attract travellers from around the globe. During fall, the kaleidoscopic foliage turns this tranquil town into a magnet for photographers and social media influencers, eager to capture its natural beauty.
However, Pomfret’s charm has become both a blessing and a burden. What was once a hidden gem for nature lovers has, in recent years, turned into an overwhelming destination for “leaf peepers” and influencers. As per the BBC reports, the influencers were particularly after the images of Sleepy Hollow Farm—one of the state’s most photographed spots—and it began to go viral on social media. As its fame spread across Instagram and TikTok, so too did the crowds.
With influencers treating the town like a photoshoot haven, Pomfret began facing the ugly side of overtourism. Influencers began to ignore “No Trespassing” signs and even set up changing booths for their photoshoots. The town’s narrow roads became congested and caused traffic jams and safety concerns.
Pomfret Is Protecting Its Fall Foliage
The peaceful nature of this small town was being jeopardised, and the charm that drew visitors in was becoming tarnished. The influx of influencers was so severe that locals felt they had no choice but to take action. In 2022, law enforcement attempted to manage the chaos by turning the road past Sleepy Hollow Farm into a one-way route. However, it didn’t help too much.
By 2023, residents decided on a more drastic approach. According to the BBC reports, they crowdsourced funding through a GoFundMe campaign to preserve their town, raising over $22,000 to support measures aimed at protecting Pomfret’s rural character. The town’s leaders then voted to close the roads leading to Sleepy Hollow Farm during peak foliage season. This move effectively banned influencers and tourists from accessing the town’s most photogenic spots during the peak of leaf-peeping season.
While the town continues to welcome tourists, it is clear that the residents’ priority is to maintain the peaceful, unspoiled nature that makes Pomfret so special.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva