This is the fourth 2026 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York state. Reports are obtained from more than 100 volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. I LOVE NY defines “peak” as the best overall appearance the foliage will have during the season, taking into account color transition, brilliance and leaf droppage.
The transition to stunning fall colors quickened over the past week and is expected to bring pockets of peak foliage to six of New York state’s 11 regions this weekend. Joining the Adirondacks, which has already seen some peak conditions, localized peak colors will pop up in parts of the Capital-Saratoga, Catskills, Central New York, Finger Lakes and Chautauqua-Allegheny regions. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.
Fall colors on the middle branch of the Moose River. Photo courtesy of Anne DiCesare
Locations with the most significant changes will include Wilmington, Newcomb, Saranac Lake, Benson and Old Forge (Adirondacks); Stratford and East Nassau (Capital-Saratoga); Colchester, Stamford and Windham (Catskills); Cooperstown and Sharon Springs (Central New York); Cortland (Finger Lakes); Salamanca (Chautauqua-Allegheny); Springville (Greater Niagara); Alexandria Bay (Thousand Islands-Seaway); and New Paltz and Kingston (Hudson Valley).
The foliage offers a backdrop for New York State’s Path Through History Weekend, happening Oct. 10-12. Historic sites, landmarks and museum across New York will host special events, demonstrations and reenactments that invite visitors to explore the state’s rich and vibrant history.
Fall colors on Whiteface Mountain. Photo courtesy of Paul Czajkowski
Clinton County:
75% foliage change and near peak in Plattsburgh with bright reds and yellows.
Essex County:
100% change and peak to just-past-peak in Newcomb with bright reds and oranges and hints of golden yellow, along with leaf droppage.
95% and peak in Wilmington at the Wilmington Bridge with very brilliant red and orange leaves. Whiteface Mountain is around 85% change and just-past-peak with beautiful, very bright shades of red, yellow, orange and purple along with some brown leaves.
55% and near peak in the Ticonderoga area with bright seasonal colors.
55% in the Crown Point area with average-to-bright gold, russet and orange leaves, along with splashes of red. The greatest color changes will be found at higher elevations.
Franklin County:
95% change and peak conditions in Saranac Lake with a bright and beautiful mix of all fall colors.
90-95% and just-past-peak in Tupper Lake with cinnamon, caramel, orange soda, mango, saffron, daffodil and bittersweet leaves.
50% and near peak in Malone with mostly bright reds and oranges.
Hamilton County:
90% change and peak at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Benson. Strong fall color is now visible around the lake and across the lower slopes, with bright reds, oranges, yellows, and golds. Leaf droppage is visible at lower elevations, while portions of the upper hillside remain green.
100% and past peak in Lake Pleasant with bright shades of yellow, gold, orange, rust and red.
100% and just-past-peak in Long Lake with brilliant golden yellows and ambers, mixed with some orange and deep reds.
Herkimer County:
85-90% change and peak to just-past-peak in Old Forge with very brilliant shades of orange, red, gold and rust.
Lewis County:
75% change and near peak in Glenfield with bright gold and orange maples dominating the landscape amid scattered pockets of bright red and some droppage.
St. Lawrence County:
100% change and just-past-peak at Mt. Arab in Piercefield with very bright reds, oranges, yellows and purples.
85% and just-past-peak in Wanakena with bright deep oranges and yellows, along with many fallen reds. Neighboring communities of Star Lake and Cranberry Lake should see peak foliage this weekend.
Warren County:
50-60% change in Queensbury with bright autumn colors.
35% in Lake George with a bright mix of yellow-orange leaves alongside some reddish hues.
Community news stories come from press releases and other notices from organizations, businesses, state agencies and other groups.
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