This is the second 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. 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.

Vibrant fall colors continue to appear and spread throughout most of the Adirondacks, Catskills and Thousand Islands-Seaway regions, with signs of the spectacular seasonal colors to come in a few parts of the Chautauqua-Allegheny and Central New York regions, according to volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County spotters in Tupper Lake are expecting significant color change this weekend, with up to 40% transition and leaves heading toward midpoint of change. Look for a rosy, mustard glow marking the landscape, with the leaves transitioning to goldenrod, maize, saffron, ginger, scarlet, cranberry and raspberry. In addition to the great foliage views at The Wild Center, the Tupper Lake Triad of Mount Arab, Goodman Mountain and Coney Mountain provide incredible vistas and are relatively easy climbs. Saranac Lake observers are predicting up to 25% color change with increasing pockets of reds, yellows, and oranges appearing, and a few trees that have completely changed color. Look for the most significant changes in trees along waterways and marshes, with more orange and yellow in the mix, while wooded areas are still predominantly green. Spotters reporting from Mountain View project 10% color change, with some shades of yellow and pops of orange starting to appear on the mostly green trees.

In Essex County, Lake Placid foliage observers are predicting that 20-25% of the leaves will have changed color by the weekend, with emerging pops of red and orange against the mostly green backdrop. At Whiteface Mountain, color change should be closer to 10% with some bright touches of red. Spotters checking in from Schroon Lake and Newcomb are predicting 15% color change with shades of red, yellow and orange popping out in higher elevations. Reports from the Whiteface region of Wilmington, Jay and Au Sable Forks predict 15% color change with some muted shades of red and yellow. The eastern and southern portions of the region will only be about 5% change, with green leaves still dominating the landscape.

Herkimer County spotters in Old Forge expect 25% color change marked by burgundy and red leaves, along with some emerging yellows and oranges. In Hamilton County, leaf change is coming on stronger in areas near rivers and lakes. Reports from Lake Pleasant expect 15% color change, with average shades of yellow and red quickly appearing. In the Adirondacks portion of St. Lawrence County, spotters in Piercefield predict 15% color change with purple leaves of average brilliance dominating the autumn foliage, along with some reds and yellows.