The Best Adirondack Fall Foliage Drives.
The Adirondack fall is short, sharp, and unevenly timed across the Park. The northern High Peaks peak first — often by the third week of September. The Champlain Valley and the southern Adirondacks run two weeks behind, with prime color into mid-October. Picking the right drive is partly route, partly timing, partly luck with the rain.
The five drives below are picked for view density, not just distance. Each routes through a corridor where the maples, beeches, and birches outnumber the spruce — meaning the color hits hardest. Three are state highways with safe pull-outs; one is the toll Whiteface summit road; one is the underrated Lake George shoreline.
Watch the I Love NY Foliage Report for real-time color maps. Plan around weekday traffic if possible — the popular routes (73, 28) can stop-and-go on peak Saturdays.
- No. I~28 mi · High Peaks corridor
Route 73 — Lake Placid to Underwood→
The single most-photographed Adirondack drive. From Lake Placid, Route 73 climbs through Cascade Pass (with the Cascade Lakes on the right), drops into Keene Valley below the Great Range, and continues south to Underwood. Multiple pull-outs at Roaring Brook Falls, Chapel Pond, and the AMR. Peak color: late September.
- No. II~30 mi · Fulton Chain corridor
Route 28 — Old Forge to Blue Mountain Lake→
The central Adirondack classic. Route 28 threads the Fulton Chain (Old Forge → Eagle Bay → Inlet → Raquette Lake) with frequent lake-vista openings on both sides. The Adirondack Experience museum in Blue Mountain Lake is a worthwhile midpoint stop. Peak color: late September through early October.
- No. III~90 mi · the full Park length
Route 30 — Speculator to Tupper Lake→
The Park's longest scenic drive, running south-to-north through the Indian Lake / Long Lake / Tupper Lake corridor. Fewer dramatic pull-outs than 73, but the sheer length means you cross the entire color gradient — northern peak color in the upper third, southern color holding on in the lower third. Two days if you stop properly.
- No. IV8 mi up · 4,867 ft summit · seasonal toll road
Whiteface Memorial Highway→
Drive to a 4,000-footer's summit. The toll road climbs Whiteface from Wilmington to a parking lot just below the summit; from there, an elevator or short stair-trail completes the climb. The view spans every High Peak plus the Champlain Valley. Open mid-May through mid-October; foliage peaks late September.
- No. V~32 mi · Lake George shoreline
Route 9N — Lake George to Ticonderoga→
The underrated pick — Route 9N hugs the western shore of Lake George from the village north through Bolton Landing, Hague, and into Ticonderoga. Frequent shoreline views; the color reflects off the lake. Peak color is one of the latest in the Park (mid-October), which means it's still going when the High Peaks are bare.
Continue reading: The Scenic Drives field guide.
The full field guide goes deeper: route planning, seasonal timing, gear, atlases, listings, and the long-form editorial behind these picks.
Open the scenic drives field guide→The Best Easy 46ers for Your First Adirondack High Peak
Five 46ers that newer hikers regularly bag first — Cascade, Porter, Phelps, Big Slide, Wright. Editorial picks with mileage, elevation gain, and the trade-offs each one makes.
The Best Adirondack Lakes for Paddling
Five flatwater paddles — from the wilderness solitude of Lake Lila to the lean-to camping of Long Lake. Editor's picks with launch info and skill-level notes.
The Best Adirondack Fire Tower Hikes
Restored 1910s-era fire towers on summits across the Adirondack Park — Hadley, Snowy, Pillsbury, Black, Hurricane. Picks ranked by difficulty + view payoff.
The Best Family-Friendly Hikes in the Adirondacks
Five short, scenic hikes under 3 miles — Mt Jo, Bald Mountain, Owls Head, Coon Mountain, Hadley. Picks chosen for kids: steady grades, real summit views, manageable round-trip time.
The Best Adirondack Lakes for Swimming
Five lakes for swimming — Mirror Lake, Lake George, Schroon Lake, Eagle Lake, Cranberry Lake. Editor's picks for clean water, sandy beaches, and family-ready access.
- When is peak fall foliage in the Adirondacks?Peak varies by elevation and latitude. The High Peaks region (Lake Placid, Keene) peaks in the third or fourth week of September. The Central Adirondacks (Old Forge, Long Lake) peak late September through early October. The Lake George region and Champlain Valley peak mid-October.
- What is the best fall scenic drive in the Adirondacks?Route 73 from Lake Placid to Underwood is the most photographed drive in the Park — it threads the High Peaks corridor with frequent pull-outs at Cascade Pass, Roaring Brook Falls, Chapel Pond, and the AMR. Visit on a weekday in late September for the best balance of color and traffic.
- Is Whiteface Memorial Highway open in fall?Yes, through mid-October. The toll road runs daily mid-May through mid-October, weather permitting. Late September foliage from the summit is exceptional — but the road can close for high wind, ice, or snow late in the season. Call ahead.
- How long does it take to drive the Route 30 scenic corridor?The full length from Speculator to Tupper Lake is ~90 miles and three-plus hours driving with no stops. With pull-outs, a meal in Long Lake, and a side stop at the Adirondack Experience museum, plan a full day or split across two.
- Are these drives crowded on weekends?Yes — Route 73 and Route 28 see significant peak-weekend traffic in late September. If you can flex, drive Tuesday through Thursday for a quieter experience. Route 30 (longer + less famous) and Route 9N (later peak) absorb crowds better.