10 Spots In Upstate NY To See Fall Colors Away From The Crowds

When autumn blankets Upstate New York, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking canvas of crimson, amber, and gold. While popular destinations like Lake Placid and Hudson Valley draw throngs of leaf-peepers, savvy travelers know the region holds secret havens where nature’s spectacular show can be enjoyed in peaceful solitude. These hidden gems offer not just vibrant foliage, but also the authentic charm of small towns, winding country roads, and the crisp mountain air that makes fall in Upstate New York truly magical – all without fighting for elbow room at overcrowded viewpoints.

1. Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Rising dramatically from the Shawangunk Ridge, this hidden treasure offers dramatic cliff-top views across valleys ablaze with autumn color. Unlike the crowded overlooks of nearby Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska’s network of carriage roads provides miles of peaceful walking paths where the white quartz cliffs contrast beautifully with the fiery foliage.

Lake Awosting, reached by a moderate 3-mile walk, rewards visitors with a pristine mountain lake surrounded by dwarf pitch pines and oak forests turning crimson and gold. The vibrant colors reflected in the crystal-clear water create a mesmerizing double display of autumn brilliance.

For the best experience, enter through the Berme Road access in Ellenville rather than the main entrance – locals know this approach sees far fewer visitors. Afterward, the nearby village of New Paltz offers charming post-hike refreshments at the Water Street Market, where you can sample local apple ciders while watching the sunset paint the ridge in golden light.

2. Catskill Forest Preserve

Nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, this vast wilderness area spans over 700,000 acres of protected land. The preserve features countless lesser-known trails where solitude seekers can wander beneath canopies of sugar maples, yellow birches, and red oaks in their autumn glory.

Early mornings at spots like Kaaterskill Wild Forest or Windham High Peak reward hikers with misty valleys painted in fall colors. The North-South Lake area offers spectacular views with a fraction of the visitors found at nearby overlooks.

Local tip: Pack a thermos of hot apple cider from Cider Mill Farm in Andes and visit mid-week in early October for peak colors without weekend crowds. The quiet trails around Mongaup Pond provide especially serene spots for forest bathing among the golden leaves.

3. Chittenango Falls State Park

A 167-foot waterfall framed by blazing autumn colors creates a postcard-perfect scene at this Madison County gem. Unlike more famous New York waterfalls, Chittenango Falls maintains a peaceful atmosphere even during peak foliage season.

The quarter-mile trail descending to the base of the falls offers multiple vantage points where visitors can marvel at cascading water against a backdrop of fiery maples and golden birches. Morning visits often reward early risers with rainbows dancing in the mist where sunlight meets waterfall spray.

For photographers seeking that perfect shot without photobombers, try visiting on weekday mornings. Afterward, take the scenic drive through nearby Cazenovia, stopping at Critz Farms for fresh-pressed cider and homemade donuts – a quintessential upstate autumn experience that locals treasure.

4. Taughannock Falls State Park

Standing 215 feet tall – higher than Niagara Falls – Taughannock’s magnificent cascade plunges through a rock amphitheater while remaining one of the region’s best-kept secrets. The rim trail offers sweeping views of the gorge ablaze with fall colors, yet rarely feels crowded, especially on weekday mornings.

What makes this spot special in autumn is how the gorge walls amplify fall colors, creating a natural corridor of crimson and gold. The flat trail to the falls’ base provides an accessible way to experience being surrounded by towering cliffs draped in colorful foliage.

Savvy visitors know to bypass the main overlook and instead hike the North Rim Trail for equally spectacular views with significantly fewer people. After your hike, drive the quiet country roads around nearby Trumansburg, where family-owned farm stands offer fresh apple varieties you won’t find in supermarkets.

5. Finger Lakes Wine Country Backroads

Forget the busy tasting rooms on Seneca Lake’s main routes – the true magic of Finger Lakes fall color viewing happens on the forgotten dirt roads winding through the hills between Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes. These rustic byways reveal panoramic vistas where vineyards turn golden and forests blaze with color.

Hammondsport serves as an excellent starting point for exploring these hidden routes. The hills surrounding the southern end of Keuka Lake offer spectacular views where vineyards, forests, and the sapphire lake create a stunning autumn tapestry. County Road 76 between Hammondsport and Pulteney rewards drivers with sweeping vistas without the tour buses.

Stop at Hunt Country Vineyards on Keuka Lake’s west side, where their back porch offers breathtaking views while you sample their harvest-season Vignoles. The family-owned operation welcomes visitors with genuine warmth rarely found at more commercial wineries.

6. Adirondack Foothills Near Lake George

While tourists flock to Lake George Village and crowded lookouts, locals slip away to the southern Adirondack foothills for equally spectacular autumn displays. Buck Mountain’s less-traveled eastern approach rewards hikers with panoramic views of Lake George surrounded by a patchwork quilt of fall colors – without the crowds found on more popular trails.

The Shelving Rock area offers gentle paths through maple-beech forests that explode with color in mid-October. The abandoned logging roads around Butternut Brook provide peaceful walking routes where you might spot deer browsing among golden ferns beneath the colorful canopy.

For a truly hidden gem, explore the trails around Pole Hill Pond, where reflections of autumn trees in the still water create nature’s perfect mirror image. Pack a picnic from the Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens Falls and make a day of it – you’ll likely have these spectacular viewpoints entirely to yourself, especially on weekdays.

7. Saranac Lake Scenic Byways

Hidden in the shadow of Lake Placid’s popularity, Saranac Lake offers equally stunning fall scenery without the traffic jams. The network of rural roads connecting the region’s small lakes creates perfect autumn driving routes where colorful forests reflect in pristine waters.

Moody Pond and Lake Colby offer exceptional morning views when mist rises off the water through the colorful trees. The Bloomingdale Bog Trail provides an accessible walk where vibrant tamaracks turn golden alongside the crimson maples and blueberry bushes.

Baker Mountain, though modest in height, rewards hikers with a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding lakes and mountains dressed in autumn finery. The village itself maintains its authentic Adirondack character with locals gathering at Origin Coffee to swap foliage reports. Visit during mid-week in early October when the colors peak but before the Columbus Day weekend rush brings crowds to the region.

8. Herkimer Diamond Mines Area

Most visitors come to this quirky attraction solely for gem hunting, missing the spectacular fall foliage that surrounds it. The nearby forest roads of the Southern Adirondacks burst with color while remaining blissfully free of leaf-peeping traffic jams.

Moss Lake Trail offers an easy 2.5-mile loop through maple forests where the ground becomes carpeted with golden leaves by mid-October. The abandoned fire tower on Kane Mountain provides sweeping views across valleys dotted with small lakes reflecting the autumn colors.

What makes this area special is how the quartz outcroppings along forest trails sparkle in the autumn sunlight, creating a magical effect as you walk through tunnels of red and gold leaves. After exploring, warm up with homemade pie at the Beardslee Castle in Little Falls – a 19th-century stone castle with panoramic views of the Mohawk Valley’s fall colors and fascinating ghost stories shared by the local owners.

9. Keuka Lake Trail

Shaped like a wishbone, Keuka Lake is often overshadowed by its larger Finger Lake siblings – making it perfect for peaceful autumn exploration. The Keuka Lake Outlet Trail follows an old railroad bed between Penn Yan and Dresden, offering a flat, accessible path through a colorful forest corridor with historic ruins of old mills.

Morning fog rising off the lake creates ethereal scenes where colorful hillsides emerge like islands from a sea of mist. The western shore’s Bluff Point offers spectacular elevated views across the lake to the eastern hillsides ablaze with color – a vista few tourists ever discover.

For a truly local experience, explore the quiet country roads around Branchport at the lake’s northwestern fork. Here, you’ll find roadside apple stands operating on the honor system and hidden overlooks where you can watch the sunset turn the lake to liquid gold. The Switzerland Inn in Hammondsport makes a perfect lunch stop, with lakeside tables where you can enjoy local wines while watching sailboats drift past the colorful shoreline.

10. Letchworth State Park

While the main gorge overlooks attract crowds, the “Grand Canyon of the East” hides miles of lesser-known trails where visitors can experience the park’s magnificent fall colors in solitude. The Finger Lakes Trail section through the eastern side of the park winds through mature forests of sugar maple, beech, and oak trees that create a stunning autumn display.

Early mornings at the Middle Falls offer magical moments when mist rises through shafts of sunlight illuminating the golden canopy. The park’s southern end near the Mt. Morris Dam sees significantly fewer visitors yet offers equally impressive gorge views framed by blazing foliage.

For a truly special experience, paddle the calm section of the Genesee River above the park’s northern entrance, where you’ll glide beneath arching trees in full autumn splendor with only the sound of your paddle breaking the silence. Adventure Calls Outfitters in Portageville offers kayak rentals and local knowledge about the quietest times to explore this magnificent park.