This is the third 2021 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York State. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. I LOVE NY urges travelers to follow all COVID-related public health and safety guidelines while enjoying the foliage this season. Visitors should call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions are open and available. More information on New York State travel and COVID-19 is available here.

The annual parade of vibrant, colorful fall foliage continues its journey across New York State this weekend, with the Lake Placid, Wilmington, and Tupper Lake areas of the Adirondacks expected to see the most notable leaf changes, and color change is underway in most other parts in the region. Leaves are also significantly changing in the northwest portion of the Catskills, along with parts of the Chautauqua Allegheny, Central New York, and Thousand Islands – Seaway regions, according to volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

In the Adirondacks region, colors are expected to be between midpoint and near peak this weekend in Lake Placid in Essex County. Fall color is expected to significantly increase this week, with up to 75% change possible by the weekend. Look for brightening shades of red, orange, and yellow. Spotters reporting from Whiteface Mountain Ski Area in Wilmington expect foliage to be at midpoint of change with 40% leaf transition and brilliant shades of green, red, purple and orange. Spotters reporting from Schroon Lake and Newcomb expect about 20% color change, with some red and yellow leaves appearing over a mostly green backdrop. Foliage observers in Ticonderoga predict 15% color change with touches of yellow and orange. In Crown Point look for 10% color change this weekend, with spots of average red and russet leaves.

In Franklin County, reports from Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab expect foliage to be at midpoint of change this weekend with 50-55% color transition, and copper, tangerine, buttercup, canary, burgundy, and scarlet leaves of average brilliance. Saranac Lake leaves are expected reach midpoint of transition with 40% color change and a bright, pretty mix of green, red, orange, and yellow leaves. The leaves have become more vibrant over the past week, with many bright shades of red appearing. In the northern portion of the county, Malone spotters are predicting 30% color change with green still the predominant color, but oranges and reds becoming brighter.

In Hamilton County, foliage in Lake Pleasant is changing quickly and spotters predict that colors may transition to midpoint of change by the weekend. Look for 35% color transition and a mix of yellows and oranges of average brilliance. Expect at least 25% color change in the Long Lake area, with muted-to-average shades of yellow emerging. Herkimer County spotters in Old Forge are expecting foliage to be at or near midpoint of change, with 35% color transition featuring red and burgundy leaves of average brilliance, along with some emerging yellow and orange.

In Warren County, foliage change will still be in the early stages this weekend. However, more colors are expected in the northern portion, where 30% transition is expected with some muted shades of yellow and rust emerging. Color change around Lake George will be about 20%, and spotters reporting from Queensbury expect a little more than 10% color change this weekend. Look for muted shades of yellow, gold, and red within the mostly green backdrop. In the Adirondacks portion of St. Lawrence County, spotters in Cranberry Lake are predicting 10% color change with touches of red leaves of average brilliance, along with some emerging yellows and golds.