A new week means a new I LOVE NY fall foliage report is out for the 2026 season–and New York’s fall colors are officially picking up steam.
The latest report, covering September 30 through October 6, 2026, shows some parts of the state nearing or reaching peak fall foliage, with the Adirondacks seeing up to 85% color change in some areas.
That’s a major jump from last week’s report, when several regions were only beginning to see signs of seasonal transformation. And with the East Coast expected to have a “long, spectacular” fall foliage season in 2026, there’s plenty more color on the way.
The Adirondacks Are Seeing Up To 85% Color Change
If a leaf peeping trip is on your fall bucket list, the Adirondacks are already putting on quite the show. The region was recently named America’s No. 1 fall foliage destination, and this week’s I LOVE NY report shows some areas reaching near-peak and peak conditions.
Here’s where the most significant bursts of fall color are showing up across the Adirondacks this week:
- Franklin County: 85% change — Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab are seeing near-peak and peak conditions, with a vibrant mix of dandelion, goldenrod, maple syrup, russet, marmalade, pumpkin, crimson, and rhubarb hues
- Herkimer County: 80% change — Old Forge is nearing peak, with gold, orange, and red leaves alongside some pockets of green
- Essex County: 75% change — Lake Placid, Wilmington, Whiteface Mountain, and Newcomb are at peak conditions, with brilliant reds, purples, and burgundies mixed with vibrant yellows and golds
- Hamilton County: 75% change — Lake Pleasant is nearing peak, with bright autumnal shades throughout the area
And if you want to see the fall colors from above, you can soar over the High Peaks on the Cloudsplitter Gondola to Little Whiteface for some seriously spectacular foliage views!
🚨 Secret NYC Tip: If you’re heading north for peak foliage, add this 30-mile scenic stretch through the Adirondacks to your itinerary. The route winds through mountain passes and river valleys and is especially stunning when the trees are ablaze with fall color.
Other New York Regions Are Catching Up
The Adirondacks aren’t the only part of New York seeing significant fall color this week. According to the latest I LOVE NY report:
- Fulton County (Capital-Saratoga Region): 75% change — Stratford is seeing mostly bright yellow, red, and orange leaves
- Greene County (Catskills): 75–80% change — Upper elevations around Windham are nearing peak, with a mix of fall hues
As the season progresses, more areas across Upstate New York are expected to move from changing to near-peak and peak conditions.
NYC Fall Foliage is Just Getting Started
For New Yorkers hoping to catch peak fall foliage closer to home, the city still has a little while to go. In Manhattan, I LOVE NY observers are reporting:
- Lower East Side: 20% change with some yellow leaves beginning to appear
- Upper East Side/Central Park: 10% change with mostly green leaves
Meanwhile, Jackson Heights in Queens is just 5% changed, with touches of red and yellow beginning to show.
So if you’re hoping for a full-on colorful Central Park stroll this weekend, you may want to hold off for now. The city’s foliage is only beginning to shift.
🚨 Secret NYC Tip: You can track Central Park’s fall foliage with this interactive map, which follows the seasonal changes across the park’s 19,000 trees.
How the I Love NY Fall Foliage Report Works
The I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report tracks the progression of fall color across New York State using reports from more than 100 volunteer field observers.
Every Wednesday afternoon, the report breaks foliage progression into six stages: no change, just changing, mid-point, near peak, at peak, and past peak.
The accompanying interactive map lets you zoom into individual areas across the state to see how much foliage has changed and where peak conditions are beginning to emerge.