5 Leaf-Peeping Destinations In New York: When Foliage Peaks

NEW YORK — Fall foliage is nearing peak brilliance in New York. The 2023 Fall Foliage Prediction Map indicates leaves will peak around the week of Oct. 23.

The predictive map, from the travel site Smokymountains.com, uses a refined data model based on historical and forecast temperatures and precipitation, the types of trees prominent in specific geographic areas, and real-time user reports.

The map is easy to use. The slider at the bottom resets weekly to include the latest data. To see when leaves are expected to peak, move the slider to the right. Leaves haven’t started changing yet in green areas, and the brown color means foliage has passed its peak.

As with any meteorological forecast dependent upon weather variables, leaf predictions aren’t always 100 percent accurate, but the map does give New York leaf-peepers a pretty good shot at seeing autumn leaves when they turn their most blazing reds, vibrant orange and sunny yellows.

Of course, all this depends on where you are. The more southern parts of the state will be turning colors later. According to the New York Fall Foliage Report, as of Tuesday, peak colors are starting to appear in parts of the Catskills.

In the Hudson Valley, it’s worth checking the leaves in and around the following:

• Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
• Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain
• Fahnestock State Park, Carmel
• Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead
• Mashomack, Shelter Island