Best time to travel to New York State

Fall Foliage in New York State 2024

The most beautiful time of year in New York State

Best time: late September–October

Sugar maple is the official tree of New York, and it's one of the reasons why the state looks so beautiful during the fall season. In addition to sugar maples, which offer a rich palette varying from green to orange and red, there is northern red oak, red maple, and sycamore adding bright red notes. Birch, oak, hickory, and tulip trees contribute with lovely yellow and bronze tones. From Long Island to Upstate New York, there are dozens of spectacular locations for leaf peeping.

Best time to see fall foliage

The best time to enjoy the changing seasons in New York State is October. On higher elevations, like the Adirondack Mountains, the peak comes in early October. The Catskills region experiences a peak of color in mid-October. While lower areas like New York City are at their best for leaf peeping in late October.

Long Island

Long Island is a perfect destination for a leaf peeping weekend. Head to its easternmost point, Montauk Point Lighthouse, to see a scenic landscape with the oldest lighthouse in the state. Another must-see stop is Planting Fields Arboretum, a huge park with woodland paths, lush gardens, and various marked plants. The park boasts golden larch, maples, and dogwoods that look most beautiful in late October.

Connetquot River State Park in the town of Islip is one of the best places for an autumn hike. The large park also offers horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife watching. The park boasts many rare plants, a large deer population, and waterfowl birds, A walk along the Connetquot River is perfect for a scenic fall outing. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve near Smithtown is an undeveloped preserve along the Nissequogue River, with beautiful freshwater wetlands, ponds, and woodlands. A 2.5-mile (4-km) Greenbelt Trail is perfect for a first visit to the park.

Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain is one of the most prominent peaks of New York's Hudson Highlands. Located on the west bank of the Hudson River, within a one-hour drive from Manhattan, the Bear Mountain State Park is a favorite destination for leaf-peeping for many New Yorkers. The Perkins Memorial Tower, located on Bear Mountain summit, provides spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands, and Harriman State Park. Overall, the park boasts many scenic viewpoints, a picnic area, and access to many hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail.

Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley offers an incredibly scenic foliage experience. You can start with the Hudson Highlands State Park and the famous Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie and then move north towards Dutchess County. River Road in Rhinebeck, Poets' Walk Park, the campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, and Tivoli Bays are some of the most scenic spots in the area. Take a ride on Route 9, Route 78, and Route 199 to enjoy the rural area dotted with farms and picturesque small towns.

The Catskills

The Catskill Mountains are most beautiful in the fall. Take a ski lift up Hunter Mountain to see the area from above. Or you can hike to Hunter Summit at an elevation of 4,040 ft (1,231 m). This 8-mi (12-km) hike ends with the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower and views stretching all the way to Massachusetts and Connecticut. There are dozens of other short trails in the area on moderate elevations. Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most popular and easy hikes in the Catskill Park Forest Preserve. the highest cascading waterfall in New York that looks best when surrounded by golden foliage in mid-October. Measuring 260 ft (79 m) from top to bottom, Kaaterskill Falls has inspired many painters and poets since the early 1800s. The site currently attracts 200,000 visitors annually. There are several trails to see the falls. The easiest is a 1.4-mile hike to the Kaaterskill Falls viewing platform. Another season's favorite is a ride on Catskill Mountain Railroad. A heritage railroad is located at Westbrook Lane Station in the Kingston Plaza (55 Kingston Plaza Road) in Kingston, NY. The family-friendly train ride, which began operations in 1982, is available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Where to stay North/South Lake Campground is a great area to spend the night with access to all major trails. Kingston is the largest city near the Catskills and it offers a wide choice of hotels. There are also lodging options near Hunter and Windham mountains.

The Adirondacks

The spectacular Adirondack Mountains is the number one hiking destination in New York with dozens of lakes, waterfalls, and high peaks. The 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks, including Mount Marcy, are perfectly suited for fall foliage viewing from above. If you are not ready for a long hike, take Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride to go up The Whiteface Mountain for spectacular 360-degree views. Another option is Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which offers a spectacular foliage train ride every fall. Fall colors reflect beautifully in Adirondack Lakes. Lake George offers scenic foliage cruises and kayak rentals. Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, which form the so-called Tri-Lakes region, are also famous for foliage landscapes and scenic hiking trails.

Where to stay Lake George and Lake Placid have waterfront lodging ranging from luxurious hotels to budget inns. Adirondack Wilderness also has many campsites including beautiful island camping on the Saranac.

Saratoga Springs

The Saratoga Springs area, close to the state's capital Albany, also offers a few scenic foliage routes. John Boyd Thacher State Park in Voorheesville offers the panorama of the lowlands and 12 miles (20 km) of beautiful trails, including the Indian Ladder Trail. Another option is the historical Saratoga Monument that opens views of the Adirondack and Helderberg Mountains.

Saratoga Spa State Park, conveniently located near US 9 and NY 50 in Saratoga Springs is known for its mineral springs, bath and spa houses. However, the park is also perfect for an autumnal walk. This scenic oasis features both beautifully designed autumn gardens and nature trails. The best time leaf-peeping in the park is usually during the second and third weeks of October.

Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes area is another spectacular fall destination. You can choose between Canandaigua, Seneca, or Cayuga lakes for the unforgettable leaf peeping experience. All lakes offer postcard views with beautiful foliage reflections. Use the chairlifts at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort near Rochester for special panoramic views. From there, take a drive to the greater Niagara area for more breathtaking views. The Finger Lakes fall foliage season lasts from late September through mid-October, with the peak time in early and mid-October.

Where to stay Choose a waterfront boutique hotel or bed and breakfast on one of the lakes to enjoy non-stop fall foliage beauty all day long.

When planning your getaway to a New York destination in fall, examine the fall foliage map to pick the most convenient place to stay. Make sure to check the local fall foliage report, as the timing of peak fall foliage changes from year to year.

Practical info

What is the ideal time for leaf peeping in New York State?

The ideal time for leaf peeping in New York State is during October. The time varies depending on the location and elevation. For instance, The Adirondacks has its peak in early October, while Central NY and NYC have the best view in late October. Hudson Valley reaches its peak in mid-October, whereas Long Island and The Catskills are at their best in late October.

Are there recommended spots to see fall foliage on Long Island? If so, where?

To see fall foliage on Long Island, Montauk Point Lighthouse, Connetquot River State Park, and Planting Fields Arboretum are recommended. Montauk Point Lighthouse has the oldest lighthouse in the state, whereas Planting Fields Arboretum has paths in the woodland area, gardens, and various marked plants like golden larch, maples, and dogwoods. The optimal time to see these is in late October, when the foliage is most beautiful.

What's the best trail for seeing the fall foliage in The Catskills?

When looking for the best trail to observe the fall foliage in The Catskills, Kaaterskill Falls comes highly recommended. It's the highest cascading waterfall in the state and provides splendid views of golden foliage in mid-October. For a 360-degree view, hike up to the summit of Hunter Mountain Fire Tower or take a ski lift up Hunter Mountain, opportunities to enjoy stunning views stretching into Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Which location in Finger Lakes is the best for observing the fall foliage panoramically?

Bristol Mountain Ski Resort near Rochester offers the best panoramic views for fall foliage in Finger Lakes. The resort has chairlifts to allow guests to capture the beauty from all angles. After that, Niagara is a great spot for more impressive sights. Canandaigua, Seneca, and Cayuga lakes are all guaranteed to provide unforgettable fall foliage experiences with picturesque views and beautiful foliage reflections.

Are there campsites in Adirondack Mountains? What are some recommended campsites?

There are several campsites in Adirondack Mountains providing comfortable camping amidst the fall foliage. North/South Lake Campground is a great option with access to all major trails, while Saranac Lake offers excellent island camping on Saranac. Additionally, there are several waterfront lodgings that range from luxurious to budget inns in Lake George and Lake Placid. This provides the opportunity to wake up to a scenic view of the fall foliage beauty every day.

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