When is the best time to see fall foliage in the Adirondacks?
Adirondack fall foliage peaks from roughly the last week of September through the second week of October. Higher elevations color first; the Champlain shore colors last. The peak window in any one valley is about 7-10 days. See the live foliage atlas →
Week-by-week color in the Adirondack Park
Color rolls down the elevation gradient. The Adirondacks span from sea level on Lake Champlain to 5,344 ft on Mount Marcy, so "peak foliage" is really a moving line, not a single day. Use the windows below to plan, then check the live observation map the week of your trip.
Week of September 22 — Alpine zone first color
The first reds appear above 3,000 ft. Trails like Cascade Mountain and the upper sections of the High Peaks turn before any valley does. If you're hiking, this is the week to bag a peak in color. Browse the 46er atlas to pick a summit →
Week of September 29 — High Peaks shoulders
Color rolls from the alpine into the spruce-fir shoulder belts. This is the standard week to drive Route 73 from Keene Valley through Cascade Pass into Lake Placid — the wall of color above the road is at its photographic best. Find a room in Lake Placid →
Week of October 6 — Interior peak (the canonical Adirondack week)
The hardwood interior — the maple-birch belt around Long Lake, Old Forge, and Speculator — peaks. This is the week most photographers and leaf-peepers target. Reserve lodging in March if you want a Saturday night.
Week of October 13 — Champlain Valley & lower lakes
The Champlain shore and the southern Adirondack lake country (Lake George, the Schroon Valley) hit peak last. Cooler nights on the lakes bring out the late-season oranges and deep yellows. See the full lake atlas →
Best scenic drives for fall color
Three classics, in priority order:
- Route 73, Keene Valley to Lake Placid — the highest-impact 30-minute drive in the Park. Stop at Roaring Brook Falls and the Cascade trailhead pull-off.
- Route 28N, North Creek to Long Lake — Hudson River corridor through deep maple country. Best the second weekend of October.
- Route 30, Tupper Lake to Speculator — runs the lake-rich interior. Pair with a paddle on a quiet pond.
Full turn-by-turn itineraries with photo stops live on the scenic-drives directory.
Where to stay during foliage weekends
The two prime Saturdays — typically the first two of October — book 4-6 months ahead in Lake Placid, Lake George, and the interior hubs. If you're inside 60 days, target a Sunday or Monday night, or look at vacation rentals where minimum stays sometimes leave gaps. The full directory of curated lodging is at adirondackregion.com/lodging.
What to do besides drive
A foliage trip is much better with one big activity per day. Pair color with a moderate hike, a quiet paddle on a smaller pond before the wind picks up, a brewery stop, or a scenic train ride out of North Creek. Browse curated fall-day itineraries on the guides index.
Frequently asked
When does fall foliage peak in the Adirondacks?+
Peak color in the Adirondack Park runs from roughly the last week of September at the highest elevations (above 3,000 ft) through the second week of October in the lower valleys and Lake Champlain shore. The peak window is about 7-10 days in any one location.
Where should I drive to see Adirondack fall colors?+
The classic foliage drives are Route 73 from Keene Valley to Lake Placid (through the High Peaks), Route 28N along the Hudson, and Route 30 from Tupper Lake south to Speculator. The Whiteface Memorial Highway puts you above the color line. Browse mapped scenic-drive itineraries at adirondackregion.com/pursuits/scenic-drives.
What town is the best base for Adirondack fall foliage?+
Lake Placid is the standard base — central to the High Peaks color, walkable downtown, full lodging spectrum. Long Lake and Old Forge sit deeper in the maple-heavy interior. Lake George shore catches Champlain Valley color a week later than the high country.
Are Adirondack hotels booked up for foliage weekends?+
Yes. The first two Saturdays in October book 4-6 months in advance in Lake Placid, Lake George, and Long Lake. Sunday-night and mid-week stays often have last-minute availability. Browse current openings at adirondackregion.com/lodging.
Is foliage better in the Adirondacks or the Catskills?+
The Adirondacks have more elevation range (sea level on Champlain to 5,344 ft on Marcy), so the color season is longer and more varied. The Catskills peak about a week later but with less species diversity. Both are world-class.