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Insider Secrets: Perfect Spots for Viewing Fall Foliage

When you want to plan a trip to see the Adirondack fall foliage, there is no better source of information than the people who know the area. We have the inside scoop from locals with their favorite places to go leaf peeping in the Adirondack Park.

fall foliage on trees by a river

Best Foliage Viewing by Region in the Adirondacks, According to Insiders

Schroon River

"Near where I live, off of Exit 24, there is a wonderful dirt road that hugs Schroon River. It stretches for miles and you can see everything perfectly from the road." - Jeremy Brown

Bald Mountain

"Bald Mountain is by far my favorite hike. I grew up running that mountain for training for sports in high school. Other than that, there are some really good hikes in Inlet, NY." - Samantha Salsbury

Hudson River Gorge

"A great place to see brilliant fall foliage in a wilderness setting is on a raft trip through the Hudson River Gorge. See 17 miles of fall colors, far from a road, without having to walk! Plus, you get the excitement of whitewater as an added benefit." - Ron Smith

State Route 10

"Another favorite drive is State Route 10 between Caroga Lake and Piseco Lake. This route follows the West Branch of the Sacandaga River and it will bring you into the heart of the Adirondack wilderness. Both routes have picturesque roadside parking pull offs, including access to many popular hikes and meandering waterways. The Echo Cliffs on Panther Mountain above Piseco Lake and the Kane Mountain fire tower east of Canada Lake offer some of the best views of southern Adirondack foliage." - Mike Humphrey

Blue Ridge Road

"A wonderful view of the foliage would be the Blue Ridge Road. The road goes from North Hudson to Newcomb. The vistas are great." - Phyllis Rogers

Mt. Marcy

"If you are up for some work, then the summits of Mt. Marcy or Algonquin will reward you with some of the best panoramic views in New York State." - Lori Fitzgerald

fall at a lake

Lake George

"Drive north depending on the time here or drive south if it's past peak here." - Beth Blankenship"A great way to see the fall foliage without the hassle of driving is by taking a foliage cruise on a comfortable pontoon boat. You can enjoy the earlier colors on the lake's northern mountain peaks this way. Enjoy a barbecue or picnic at Black Mountain Point and hike up along the trails to Black Mountain or along the Lakeview trails" - Justin Mahoney"A great spot to see the foliage is on top of Prospect Mountain. You can hike to the summit from Lake George Village or drive up the paved highway and park on top. The views are spectacular especially in the autumn." - Dan Rougeau"A hike up Rogers Rock is the perfect spot to take in the fall foliage with a beautiful autumn view of Lake George." - Anthony DeFranco"The back lawn of Fort William Henry Hotel and the Fort Museum have an ideal panoramic view of the southern basin of Lake George!" - Hannah Rhodes

Pottersville

"Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park!" - Gregory Beckler

"The best spots seen from a boat: Paradise Bay, Isaac Jogues Hidden Bay in the Hecker Islands, and the Tongue Mt. (especially in Rattlesnake Bay and the cut between West Dollar Island and Tongue)." - John Orlando

Get ideas for fall hiking and biking »

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