Fall Foliage
Report

In the Hudson Valley, spotters in the Putnam County village of Cold Spring expect peak foliage to continue through this weekend with 95% color change. Both banks of the Hudson River and the river-facing hills are alive with brilliant red, yellow, and orange leaves, along with some trees yet to change and some leaf droppage. Hikers on Anthony’s Nose, Camp Smith Trail, Sugarloaf, Lost Pond, Lost Loop, Breakneck Ridge, Bull Hill, and sections of the Appalachian Trail will enjoy wonderful treks amid the full spectrum of foliage and fabulous views.

Observers traveling south toward Westchester and Rockland counties note that areas between the Hudson River and Long Island Sound are past-peak, while the trees along the river contain more leaves and a greater variety of color. Motorists on Route 9, the Palisades Parkway, and Route 9W will enjoy the brilliant red, yellow, orange, and purple foliage, while hikers on trails overlooking the Hudson River will appreciate the wonderful panoramic views of the opposite bank. Spotters in White Plains are predicting past-peak foliage with mostly muted red and orange leaves amid several bare trees.

Orange County foliage is now past-peak, according to spotters in Goshen. Look for some very brilliant burnt oranges and fiery reds, despite significant leaf droppage. At Bear Mountain, foliage will be mostly past-peak with spots of color in a few areas, but none in faraway viewing. Dutchess County will be past-peak this weekend, according to spotters in Poughkeepsie and Beacon. Leaves are mostly bright yellow with orange and red accents, and more color will be found closer to the Hudson River.

On Long Island, Nassau and western Suffolk County foliage change is running about a week or more later than normal this year, with varying degrees of change depending on the location. Some areas should feature near-peak colors for the upcoming weekend; others are still green or just starting to change. Still, many leaves have turned from green directly to brown, and some trees exhibit significant leaf droppage.

Stretches along the Northern State Parkway and Long Island Expressway are featuring patches with nice color. Many of the state parks—including Bethpage State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, Belmont Lake State Park in West Babylon, and Connetquot River State Park in Oakdale—feature some color, but are still mostly at midpoint with many green trees just starting to change. Reports from Hempstead Lake State Park predict continued peak leaves through the weekend, with more than 80% color change and some brilliant red, yellow and brown leaves. Observers in Garden City predict near-peak foliage with 80% color change and gold, orange, rust, and brown leaves, along with significant leaf droppage. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay is reporting the grounds are now past-peak.

In New York City, Bronx spotters reporting from Morris Park expect peak foliage with 75% color change and mostly orange and yellow leaves, and touches of red and purple. In Brooklyn, reports from Gowanus and Park Slope expect near-peak foliage with more than 60% color change. Spotters in Chelsea predict up to 95% color change and peak foliage, with some brilliant yellows and reds. Peak foliage will arrive on Staten Island this weekend, according to observers in Snug Harbor and at Clove Lakes Park, with 60% color change and various shades of popular autumnal hues.