NEWSLETTER
Named the No. 1 fall foliage destination the U.S. by Priceline, fall is a spectacular season in the Adirondacks. Outdoor adventurers can hike, climb, mountain bike, and canoe amidst colorful fall foliage. Visitors can stay in campgrounds or resorts within the six million acres of the Adirondack Park—with natural beauty everywhere you look!
The Olympic Legacy Sites in Lake Placid offer opportunities to try favorite winter sports activities, and while the ski runs at mountains like Gore and Whiteface aren't quite open yet, fall is an incredible time to take a scenic skyride on a chairlift, try out some downhill mountain biking, or go for a hike! Here are our favorite things to do this fall in the Adirondacks. Credit: @loganess on Instagram.
This article was originally published on 10/4/19 and last updated on 8/18/2026.
Hike the 46 High Peaks
The 46 High Peaks include 42 mountaintops higher than 4,000-feet elevation, making this wilderness area one of the most popular in the northeast during fall for leaf peepers in search of expansive scenery. If you’re looking to start with an easier high peak, Cascade and Porter Mountains are on the less challenging side. Note: The Adirondacks region is a place filled with ethereal views, pristine forests, and lively small towns, and it requires responsible tourism to keep it that way. Please consult the DEC's High Peaks Wilderness page for more details on traveling to and adventuring in the 46 High Peaks, even if you're an experienced hiker.
Canoe or kayak on Saranac Lake
Canoe or kayak the Saranac Lake Chain. Three lakes connected by the Saranac River, this natural linkage creates a 17-mile canoe and kayak route. St. Regis Canoe Outfitters will hook you up with their best tour guides, route suggestions, and sporting gear including canoes, kayaks, and camping gear for rent. Cruise the water for stunning lake views and keep an eye out for bald eagles, beavers, and other wildlife.
Walk on the "Wild" side
The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is a dynamo of a museum that seeks to draw people closer to understanding their natural environment. Through immersion in the rich environment of the Adirondacks—there is an indoor fish pond and otter pool, and nature trails all over the 115-acre property—visitors young and old are afforded the chance to ponder their inevitable footprint. Through October 31, 2026, you can encounter six of Thomas Dambo's whimsical giant troll sculptures. Bring the kids to the Wild Walk (pictured), an elevated trail with a spider's web and bird's nest to play in, for an adventure in the treetops!
Take a rafting trip through Ausable Chasm
Head to breathtaking Ausable Chasm, where naturally formed sandstone aging back 500 million years creates a memorable backdrop for a fall excursion. Make sure to take a family float tour through the Grand Flume and Whirlpool basin.
Get the adrenaline pumping at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course
If you've ever dreamed of flying or jumping from branch to branch like a bird or a forest animal, the skilled team at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course near Lake George is here to help! Get up in the air with the tree-top challenge obstacle course, six aerial adventure courses, zip lines, jumps, rope swings, slides, and ladders—it's a thrill for the whole family.
Go for the gold at the Olympic Sports Complex
Visit the Olympic Center, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, both held in Lake Placid. Race like an athlete at the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience, or take in panoramic views of the High Peaks at the top of the Jumping Complex (pictured).
Learn about wildlife at the Adirondack Experience
The Adirondack Experience Museum in Blue Mountain Lake provides visitors with a complete history and immersive activities of the region, from learning about the wildlife and viewing Native American art to writing on a slate tablet in a one-room schoolhouse and feeding trout. Exhibits include “Work in the Woods: Logging in the Adirondacks,” “Woods and Waters: Outdoor Recreation in the Adirondacks,” and “Boats and Boating in the Adirondacks.” The New York Times called this outdoor museum “the best of its kind in the world.”
Imagine defending a fortress at Fort Ticonderoga
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to storm a castle or defend a fortress against 18th-century colonial powers? Visit Fort Ticonderoga, where you can experience daily programming like tours, Fife and Drum Corps marching, historic trade demonstrations, daily cannon- and musket-firing demonstrations, and hands-on family activities. In the fall, get lost in history in the Heroic Corn Maze and attend seasonal events like the Heritage, Harvest & Horse Festival and Bon Voyage Cruise on Lake Champlain in October. And in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Ticonderoga hosts a calendar full of Real Time Revolution programming and other 250th exhibits.
Mountain bike down Gore or Whiteface (or take a gondola ride)
Get a serious rush as you speed down Gore Mountain or Whiteface Mountain, both skiing areas that offer downhill mountain biking in summer and early fall (typically ending in October). You'll maneuver down maintained trails during peak foliage season. For those who don't want to experience the twists and turns, both mountains offer scenic rides in gondolas—the Scenic Skyride at Gore (pictured) and the Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride at Whiteface. Ski season at both mountains typically begins by mid-November, and season passes and other frequent skier tickets are already available for those who want to get an early start on winter planning. For more stunning views from on high, head to the McCauley Mountain Ski Area in Old Forge for a scenic chair lift ride through mid-October.
Take a scenic drive
One of the best ways to experience the stunning vistas of this majestic region is to take a spin in the mountains! The Adirondacks offers two incredibly scenic drives: Whiteface Memorial Veteran's Memorial Highway (pictured) is a five-mile toll road with views of the Adirondack High Peaks, open through October 12, 2026; and Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, a 5.5-mile road with three overlooks and expansive views, is open until Veteran's Day (November 11).
Take a fall foliage cruise in Lake George
Credit: @travellerari on Instagram
The “Queen of American Lakes” is even more majestic in the fall when the surrounding Adirondack Mountains spring to life in crimson and gold. Cruise by the beautiful mountain wilderness on the crystal clear waters of Lake George with the Lake George Steamboat Company on your trip of choice, ranging from a stunning sightseeing tour to the Rails to Sails package that combines a scenic rail bike tour with a historic steamboat cruise.
Tips and resources to help you plan your fall trip to the Adirondacks:
When is peak fall foliage in the Adirondacks?
The Adirondacks has one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country. Colors may start changing in higher elevations early to mid-September. Historically, peak times for the Adirondacks have been late September to mid-October. Peak times are approximations based on prior years' fall foliage reports, and fluctuations may occur.
How can I find current foliage conditions in the Adirondacks?
For the most up to date information for the 2026 fall foliage season, sign up to receive I LOVE NY's weekly Fall Foliage newsletter for a look at current conditions and check our reports starting in September before planning your trip.
Where should I stay in the Adirondacks?
From historic Great Camps to lakeside resorts to cozy mountain lodges, browse accommodations in the Adirondacks to find the place that suits your needs.
Adirondacks Itineraries
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