Fall colors lag in parts of North Country as peak foliage nears

Fall color is arriving unevenly across the North Country, with some higher-elevation areas already at or past peak while other locations remain near peak. The timing matters for visitors and residents planning autumn trips across Northern New York.

The I LOVE NY foliage report for the week of Oct. 7-13 lists the Thousand Islands Bridge in Alexandria Bay at 80% change and near peak, Potsdam and the Eisenhower Lock in Massena at 75% and near peak, and Glenfield in Lewis County at 75% and near peak. The report describes bright colors in those areas, including gold, orange, red and purple leaves.

In southern St. Lawrence County, Mt. Arab in Piercefield was listed at 100% and just past peak, while Wanakena was at 85% and just past peak with many fallen red leaves. Star Lake and Cranberry Lake were expected to reach peak this weekend. Saranac Lake was listed at 95% and peak, while Tupper Lake and Old Forge were at or just past peak. Malone was at 50% and near peak.

Nina Bassuk, retired director of Cornell University's Urban Horticultural Institute, said a very wet summer that continued into fall left fewer dry, sunny days. The USDA Forest Service says the strongest fall color generally follows warm, sunny days and cool nights that do not freeze. Cornell also notes that wet weather can encourage fungi that cause some species to lose leaves early.

The 2026 timing is later than the same point last year in some parts of the region. The I LOVE NY report for Oct. 8-14, 2025, listed Alexandria Bay and Massena at peak, with peak color reaching the northern and central Thousand Islands-Seaway region.

For people traveling through Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, conditions may vary considerably between the Thousand Islands, the St. Lawrence River valley, Tug Hill and the Adirondack high country. The state defines peak as the best overall appearance of the season, considering color transition, brilliance and leaf drop.

The next I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14. The weekly report is based on observations from more than 100 volunteers and is available online or by phone at 800-225-5697. Bassuk expects peak color to broaden by the week of Oct. 19, although wet weather could cause early leaf drop for some tree species.