Experience fall in the Adirondacks!

Fall may just be the best time to visit the heart of the Adirondacks. The days are warm, the nights are cool, and the dramatic autumn landscape creates the ideal backdrop for an Adirondack adventure to remember. The biggest question to ask is, what kind of adventure are you looking for? 

Top Autumn Adventure Picks:

• Leaf peeping is a must. When the autumn hues of reds, oranges, and yellows paint the Adirondack landscape, getting here is half of the fun. So on that note, we recommend you plan a few extra hours (or days) to tour your way through the scenic byways that lead you here. 
• Take on the Hamilton County Fire Tower Challenge. Who doesn't love a good challenge? When it comes to finding the perfect fall challenge, few stack up to the rewarding quest of the Fire Tower Hiking Challenge. 
• Get on the water. While fall may mean that swimming days are now behind us, it doesn't mean that there still isn't plenty of water fun to be had. Paddling, boating, and fishing on the ample supply of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are some of the best ways to experience the vibrant reds and oranges as they reflect off of the cool blue waters.
• Experience fall events. In September & October, the heart of the Adirondacks truly comes alive with fall festivals of all shapes and varieties. As you plan your fall getaway, be sure to check our events calendar so you don't miss out on all the fun to be had.
• New in 2017! While in the Adirondacks, be sure to make time to experience the rich history of the Adirondacks by visiting the new & interactive "Life in the Adirondacks" exhibit at the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. 

More Fall Travel inspiration

Looking for some fall travel inspiration? Check out these recent stories and start planning your autumn Adirondack getaway today:

• • Add a little history to your fall getaway with 5 Ways to Explore Adirondack History.
  • By land, by sea, by air -- get out and tour the Adirondacks with these Last Minute Fall Foliage Tour Ideas

 

2017 Foliage Reports

Final 2017 Foliage Report 

1. Reporting station: Speculator Region

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 85+%

3. Brilliance: Average

4. Predominating colors: Some pops of red and yellow still visible. Most leaves have fallen by this point.

5. Rating: Past peak. 

 

 October 11

1. Reporting station: Speculator Region

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 60%

3. Brilliance: Brighter colors seem to finally be appearing!

4. Predominating colors: Oranges and reds.

5. Rating: Past peak. The last of the leaves seem to be changing before they fall.

October 11

1. Reporting station: Inlet Information Office

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 90%

3. Brilliance: Bright colors popping out as the last of the leaves turn.

4. Predominating colors: Mostly yellows and oranges.

5. Rating: Past peak - last weekend was a bonus second peak as all the yellows and oranges popped at once. Still a few trees to show some great colors before they are all on the ground.

 

October 4

1. Reporting station: Speculator Region

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 50%

3. Brilliance: Dull

4. Predominating colors: Oranges and yellows with a bit of red and burgandy.

5. Rating: Past peak. Lots of leaves have changed and dropped from the trees, yet there seems to still be quite a few that have yet to change.

October 4

1. Reporting station: Inlet Information Office

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 75%

3. Brilliance: The color is slightly dull, but the cold and a little bit of rain are combining to make for some nice bright yellows and oranges.

4. Predominating colors: Mostly dark reds with some yellows and oranges popping through.

5. Rating: Past peak, but still time to catch some good colors before all the leaves fall.

October 4

1. Reporting station: Long Lake

2. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by weekend: 50%

3. Brilliance: Dull

4. Predominating colors: Remaining leaves are still green. The maple trees have yet to change.

5. Rating: Nearing peak - we're guessing there's still a lot more color to come.

 

September 26

1. Reporting station: Speculator Region

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 70%

3. Brilliance:Colors seem to be fairly dull, with a few bright colors popping up here and there.

4. Predominating colors: Quite a bit of yellow and light orange

5. Rating: Just past peak. We are starting to lose leaves.

September 19

1. Reporting station: Inlet Information Office

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 65%

3. Brilliance: The warm weather has dulled the color some, hoping a little rain will bring some bright yellows and oranges before all the leaves fall

4. Predominating colors: Dark reds and dark brown yellows

5. Rating: Past peak, but still a couple weeks of color before the all the leaves fall.

September 26

1. Reporting station: Long Lake

2. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by weekend: 40%-45%

3. Brilliance: Colors seem to have leveled off. Most birch trees in the area have lost their leave while maple trees are still mostly green. Some yellow is starting to show. Once maple trees start to turn we will get more vibrant colors.

4. Predominating colors: Green with deep red and some yellow.

5. Rating: Still before peak

September 19

1. Reporting station: Speculator Region

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: 70%

3. Brilliance: Colors are fairly dull, with some pops of really bright colors here and there.

4. Predominating colors: Lots of orange and deep reds

5. Rating: Very close to peak

September 19

1. Reporting station: Inlet Information Office

2. Percent of tress predicted to have changed by weekend: more than 50%

3. Brilliance: the colors are dark, and changing quickly

4. Predominating colors: burnt oranges, reds and burgundies

5. Rating: Very close to peak

September 19

1. Reporting station: Long Lake

2. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by weekend: 40%-45%

3. Brilliance: Still a little muted, bright colors have not peaked.

4. Predominating colors: Dark red is predominate at the moment. Just starting to see yellows.

5. Rating: Not yet peak. Probably a week and a half before peak.

 

September 12 

1. Region represented: Adirondacks

2. Reporting station: Speculator

3. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 25%

4. Brilliance: Average brilliance

5. Predominating colors: There is still quite a bit of green out there, but lots of orange and yellow beginning to peak through. Some reds are starting to appear as well

6. Rating: Just beginning

 

September 12

1. Region represented: Adirondacks

2. Reporting station: Inlet Information Office

3. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 25%

4. Brilliance: The rain is bringing out some bright color

5. Predominating colors of the leaves that are changing: Most are a shade of burnt orange with a few reds and yellows popping here and there

6. Rating: First signs of color began 3 weeks ago

 

September 12

1. Region represented: Adirondacks

2. Reporting station: Long Lake

3. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 25%

4. Brilliance: Medium brilliance

5. Predominating colors: Reds are bright but still plenty of green in the landscape with some orange and yellow popping in at the tops of the trees.

6. Rating: The trees that have changed are at mid-point, but still more to come.

September 7

1. Region represented: Adirondacks (Hamilton County)
2. Reporting station: Speculator Region
3. Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 20%
4. Brilliance: Bright. Colors are just starting to brighten up. I think you will see the colors start to pop really quickly, though.
5. Predominating colors: Lots of orange and yellow are peaking through so far. Very little red. The colors seem to be changing quickly with the cold nights we have been having.
6. Rating: Just the beginning / Just changing