Adirondack Fall Foliage Report: Color Is Building Fast Across the Adirondacks

Updated September 23, 2026

Fall foliage is building across the Adirondacks, with the most advanced color around Whiteface Mountain and parts of the interior Adirondacks. Map courtesy of I LOVE NY/New York State Division of Tourism.

Fall has officially arrived in the Adirondacks — and in a few places, the foliage show is already approaching its prime.

According to this week's I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, the most advanced color is around Whiteface Mountain, Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab, where observers report 50% or more color change.

ADK Taste has translated the state's county-by-county observations into our Adirondack destination regions to make it easier to see where the color is developing — and where there's still plenty of green.

Meanwhile, areas around Lake George and Lake Champlain remain much greener, which means plenty of foliage season is still ahead.

Here's where the colors are changing across the Adirondacks this week, organized by ADK Taste's destination regions.

Adirondack foliage at a glance.

🍁 Near peak: Whiteface Mountain — 55%
🍁 Most advanced: Tupper Lake/Mt. Arab — 50–55%; Benson — 50%
🍂 Color building: Wilmington, Newcomb, Long Lake & Lake Pleasant — 40%
🍂 Good early color: Old Forge & Wanakena — 35%; Malone — 30%
🌿 Still early: Lake Placid & Saranac Lake — 25%; Queensbury & Ticonderoga — 20%; Lake George — less than 20%

The big takeaway: If you're looking for the most advanced Adirondack foliage this week, head toward Whiteface, Tupper Lake or the interior Adirondacks. If you're hoping to save your Lake George leaf-peeping trip for later, there's no need to rush.

About this report: ADK Taste’s weekly Adirondack Fall Foliage Report is based on observations published by the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report. We organize those reports by ADK Taste destination region and add context to help you decide where to see fall color across the Adirondacks.

The area around Whiteface Mountain leads this week's report at 55% and near peak.

Tri-Lakes & High Peaks: Whiteface and Tupper Lake lead the way.

This is where some of the Adirondacks' most advanced foliage is right now.

At Whiteface Mountain, near Lake Placid, observers are reporting 55% color change and near-peak conditions, with seasonal colors spreading across the mountain. Around Wilmington, foliage is at approximately 40% change, dominated by reds and oranges.

To the west, Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab are at 50–55% change, with an especially varied palette of copper, butterscotch, yellow, tangerine, plum and scarlet.

The transition isn't quite as far along in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, both at about 25%. Lake Placid is showing isolated splashes of crimson, deep red and burnt orange among softer yellows, while Saranac Lake observers are seeing bright reds and yellows.

ADK Taste take: This is the region to watch right now. Whiteface is already nearing peak, while Tupper Lake isn't far behind.

Central Adirondacks: Fall color is coming on strong.

The Central Adirondacks are making a noticeable turn toward fall.

Long Lake is reporting 40% color change, with reds, bright oranges and splashes of yellow beginning to emerge.

Newcomb is also at approximately 40%, with average-to-bright reds and oranges.

Farther west, Wanakena and the Five Ponds Wilderness are at 35%, with brilliant reds and vibrant oranges and yellows. Some leaf drop is already being reported there.

This is shaping up to be one of the more colorful parts of the Adirondacks this week without yet reaching peak.

Long Lake in the Central Adirondacks.

Southern Woodlands: An early surprise.

Here's one interesting development this week: parts of the Southern Woodlands are changing quickly.

At Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Benson, observers report 50% color change, including muted yellows and bronze with scattered pockets of red, burgundy and orange.

Lake Pleasant is at approximately 40%, with bright reds and oranges and a few yellows.

For anyone traveling through the southern Adirondacks, there's considerably more color to see than there was just a week ago.

Western Foothills: Old Forge is turning

In Old Forge, foliage has reached approximately 35% change, with increasing shades of red, burgundy, orange and gold.

Around Singing Waters Park in Greig, the landscape remains predominantly green at about 20% change, although vivid orange and red maples and yellowing birches are beginning to provide pops of autumn color.

There's color to see here, but plenty of foliage season remains.

Lake George Area: Fall is taking its time

Around Lake George, autumn is arriving at a more leisurely pace.

Queensbury is reporting about a 20% change, primarily muted orange and yellow, while Lake George remains at less than 20%, with small patches of yellow and orange appearing among the green.

If you're planning a Lake George foliage getaway, that's good news: the main show is still ahead.

Lake Champlain & ADK Coast: Early color along the eastern edge

The Lake Champlain side of the Adirondacks is also still early in its fall transition.

Around Ticonderoga, foliage is at approximately 20%, with average-to-bright hints of yellow and early shades of orange and red.

Crown Point is at about 15%, with gold, russet and occasional orange appearing, while Plattsburgh is also around 15%, predominantly muted yellow.

Expect plenty of green mixed with the emerging autumn colors along this corridor.

Northwestern Lakes: Color building around Malone.

Around Malone, foliage observers report approximately 30% change, with touches of red and orange.

While it's not among the most advanced locations in the Adirondacks this week, the transition is well underway.

Where is Adirondack foliage closest to peak this week?

If you're looking for the most advanced foliage, Whiteface Mountain leads this week's report at 55% and near peak.

Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab follow closely at 50–55% change, while Benson is at approximately 50%. Wilmington, Newcomb, Long Lake and Lake Pleasant are all reporting around 40%.

But that's only part of the story.

The Adirondacks don't change color all at once. Elevation, latitude and local conditions create a rolling foliage season across the Park. While the first areas are already approaching peak, Lake George and much of the Lake Champlain corridor are still in the early stages.

In other words: the 2026 Adirondack fall foliage season is just getting interesting.

Want more unexpected Adirondack finds? Subscribe to the ADK Taste newsletter for our hand-picked guide to the best things to do, eat, see and experience across the Adirondacks—delivered weekly.

Source: Foliage observations and percentage estimates are from the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, produced by the New York State Division of Tourism. ADK Taste reorganizes the observations by Adirondack destination region and provides independent editorial context. Photos courtesy ROOSTadk.com.

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