Upstate New York is known for its beautiful fall colors that attract visitors every autumn. The region offers many spots where people can enjoy the changing leaves and scenic views during the fall season.
This article highlights seven top places in Upstate New York to see the best fall foliage. These locations provide a mix of natural beauty and peaceful settings, making them perfect for leaf peeping and outdoor activities.
1) Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains offer a long and colorful fall foliage season. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, hikes, and lakeside views. The area has a mix of forests and mountains that create vibrant autumn colors.
Towns like Lake Placid also host fall events and festivals. It is a popular spot for families, hikers, and photographers during autumn. More details on visiting can be found at the Adirondack fall foliage guide.
2) Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains offer vibrant fall colors from late September through mid-October. The mix of altitude and weather creates a range of hues across the forests.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, scenic drives, and quiet spots like Hannacroix Creek Preserve. The region is well known for its reliable and beautiful autumn foliage views. See more about the best Catskills fall foliage locations.
3) Thacher State Park
Thacher State Park is known for its wide views along the Helderberg Escarpment. It offers scenic overlooks of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and nearby mountain ranges.
Visitors can hike easy trails while enjoying fall colors. The park’s mix of cliffs, woodlands, and open fields makes it a solid spot for leaf peeping near Albany. More details about this location are available at John Boyd Thacher State Park.
4) Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs offers pleasant fall views close to the city. Congress Park is a popular spot, where visitors can walk among colorful trees and enjoy peaceful ponds.
Bog Meadow, just minutes from downtown, provides easy trails lined with autumn leaves. The area also has nearby orchards and pumpkin patches for a full fall experience.
More details about fall activities can be found in the Saratoga Springs fall guide.
5) Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes Region offers a mix of lakes, gorges, and waterfalls that make fall colors stand out. Visitors often explore hikes and parks around Canandaigua Lake, Ithaca, and Watkins Glen.
The area’s scenic drives and outdoor spots provide clear views of trees turning red, orange, and yellow. It is a popular place for fall foliage trips in Upstate New York. See more about the Finger Lakes fall colors here.
6) Lake Placid
Lake Placid offers vibrant fall colors surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. The area is known for bright reds, oranges, and golds that attract many visitors each autumn.
Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, and local fall events. The town combines natural beauty with small-town charm and outdoor activities.
Check the latest updates for the best time to visit and experience peak foliage in Lake Placid at the fall foliage report.
7) Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley is a top spot for fall foliage in upstate New York. It offers many places to see colorful trees along the river and rolling hills. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, hikes, and charming villages with vibrant autumn views. The area is known for its reliable and beautiful fall colors each year. For more details, see the best places to spot fall foliage in the Hudson Valley.
