This is the fifth 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.

Vibrant peak and near-peak leaves will continue to arrive in the Adirondacks this weekend while making their first appearances in the Catskills. Some near-peak foliage is also expected in parts of the Thousand Islands-Seaway region this weekend.

In the Adirondacks, Franklin County spotters in Saranac Lake predict peak foliage this weekend, with 95% color change and vibrant shades of red and orange. Reports from Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab also expect peak conditions with 85-90% color change and a good mix of muted canary, goldenrod, mustard, russet, pumpkin, bronze, copper, merlot, scarlet, and burgundy leaves. In the northern portion of the county, spotters in the Malone and Mountain View areas are calling for near-peak foliage featuring a nice mix of bright yellow, red, and green leaves, along with pops of orange.

In Essex County, Lake Placid observers predict peak conditions with bright orange, yellow, and red leaves. Spotters expect 70% color change and peak foliage at Whiteface Mountain Ski area with brilliant red, orange, yellow, and purple leaves, along with some remaining green leaves. Reports from the communities of Wilmington, Jay, and Au Sable Forks predict near-peak to peak foliage this weekend, with a wide range of bright fall colors. In Newcomb, spotters are expecting near-peak leaves, with 75% color change featuring plenty of bright reds, oranges, and yellows. Reports from Ticonderoga are predicting 40% color change and near-midpoint conditions with brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red beginning to overtake the green backdrop. To the east, in the Champlain Valley, spotters in Crown Point predict 25% foliage change, with golds, rusts, and an occasional splash of orange or red emerging over the still mostly green landscape.

St. Lawrence County spotters reporting from Wanakena and Cranberry Lake expect 95% color change and brilliant peak reds and oranges. In Hamilton County, foliage will be near-peak in Long Lake, with 90% color change and bright shades of red, purple, and orange. In Lake Pleasant, spotters anticipate near-peak foliage with 80% change and average to bright shades of red, along with some leaf droppage. Bright, near-peak foliage is expected in the Herkimer County community of Old Forge, where leaves will be 80% changed. Brilliant reds are popping along with bright oranges, and vibrant yellows with some burgundy are emerging.

Clinton County spotters in Plattsburgh are expecting 40% transition with yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. In Warren County, spotters in Queensbury predict 40% color change this weekend, with green, yellow, red, purple, and orange leaves of average brilliance, while Lake George spotters are predicting 25% change with some muted yellow and orange leaves.