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Hi, I’m Sean. Every fall, my Catskills Fall Foliage Report is updated weekly, direct from the Catskills.
I live in the Catskills and provide on-the-ground reporting. Mid-September to mid-October is typically when it all goes down but, each year, the exact timing is a little different — and over the past few years it’s been trending a little earlier.
The Hudson Valley offers a trio of truly outstanding destinations for leaf-peeping locals and visitors. The Catskills, Adirondacks and Shawangunks are the crown jewels of New York’s fall foliage spectacle.
Scroll down for everything you need to know about this year’s fall foliage in the Catskills, with fresh photos direct from the hills each week.
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This is my 5th season covering Catskills fall foliage with on-the-ground reports. Check this page for fresh fall foliage photos as I hike around The Catskills.
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🍁 Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2026
Week 5: Oct 12-18
Catskills Fall Foliage is still going strong. Lots of gorgeousness, lots of green still waiting to turn, especially down low. However, this weekend’s weather could change things, so get here soon.
This is how things were looking for me, locally, Wednesday morning. Up high, full fall foliage. Down low, still lots of green waiting to turn…
Where to Hike for Fall Foliage
Here are the 12 Best Fall Foliage Hikes in The Catskills.
And here’s my list for the best Adirondacks fall foliage.
Week 4: Oct 5-11
This summer, we had some terrific rainstorms in The Catskills but, overall, precipitation was patchy, with long periods of dry weather between the dramatic downpours. This stresses the trees. I checked online and aggregate precipitation over the summer was not fantastic. However, this year’s fall foliage is already much more vibrant than the last few years in the Catskills. We had a legit drought in 2024, for example, and the subsequent fall foliage was quite dull in comparison to what’s happening right now.
October 8 / Thursday — Peak Catskills fall foliage is here for sure. It’s 60-80% in some spots but, in others, only 20-40%. As you can see below…
Should you come this weekend? Probably.
The forecast for this Saturday (10/10/26) is fantastic: clear, warm, sunny. I will be hiking. It might be the last great weekend day, weather-wise.
Sunday looks rainy.
And next weekend is currently set to be mixed: rainy, chilly, sunny. With some slightly windy days between now and then. (Wind shakes the leaves from the trees.)
So it’s a gamble. It’s nature, and no-one knows how it will play out.
But this Saturday looks pretty great.
Kaaterskill Clove and Platte Clove are always the last to turn so the level of green, above, doesn’t surprise me. More fall foliage for next week!
October 3 / Saturday — The fall foliage on Mount Mansfield in Vermont was way ahead of The Catskills. Stunning!
Week 3: Sep 28-Oct 4
October 1 / Thursday — Vermont and the Adirondacks are in full foliage right now but, here, father south in The Catskills, we’re just getting started.
This was the scene at Kaaterskill Falls this morning…
It’s a gray, overcast and wet day today and the forecast is similar for tomorrow. Saturday looks sunny. There was plenty of space at the main lot at 9:15am Thursday but that will not be the case over the weekend. The orange cones and staff are out in full force. But there are two other places to park. See my Ultimate Guide to Kaaterskill Falls.
September 30 / Wednesday — Colors are starting to come in. Peak will not be this weekend, but the following two weekends would be good time to plan your Catskills foliage trip. (More shots tomorrow.)
Week 2: Sep 21-27
September 25 / Friday — This weekend, the very unusual September nor’easter is putting the bosh on all our plans. For fall foliage, storms are the one wild card that can radically change things, and the forecast is for heavy rain and winds. However, in the Catskills, both high and low, things are still very green. So we should survive it all. I’ll see how the weekend shakes out and report back a.s.a.p.
September 23 / Wednesday — I took a quick run up to North Point from Scutt Road. There’s barely any color change in the Catskills so far. This photo doesn’t show the dots of red I saw. Change is definitely on the way for sure, but Catskills fall foliage is only just beginning.
Here’s what it looked like lower down. Peak is still 2-3 weeks away.
FYI, a state worker at the Scutt Road trailhead told me that there had been 140 cars at the main Kaaterskill Falls trailhead during the day, which is a lot for a Wednesday pre-peak.
Kaaterskill Falls is one of the top spots for fall foliage. If it’s on your radar, there are crazy long lines during peak, so allow a lot of extra time if that’s your destination, or park at Scutt Road and walk in from there; the parking area there has expanded this year which is a help.
Week 1: Sep 14-20
Nothing notable happening in the Catskills.
However, in the Adirondacks, early fall colors were hitting Big Slide…
And some yellows were starting to pop above 4000 ft…
The Adirondacks are 2-3 hours north of the Catskills, so it’s normal for fall foliage to kick off earlier up there.
Early Reports
September 12 / Saturday — Today, I hiked the entire Blackhead range in the Catskills. The trees have definitely de-saturated from their full summer green, and there is is the slightest hint of change creeping in.
September 9 / Wednesday — On my daily walks, I notice the trees have begun to dull ever so slightly. Chlorophyl production is winding down a touch, allowing the leaves to reveal their brown/red undertones. This is on-schedule.
September 4 / Friday — Two friends and I hiked the Dix Range in the Adirondacks and, from several summits, we were able to spot a few trees that had just begin to turn. This is not indicative of anything other than the very earliest sign of fall, with a handful of trees responding to the cooler days. Fall foliage is still some weeks away. This is just the very first signal.
September 3 / Thursday — The great late-summer cooling is upon us. The clouds and rain are here. Temps are solidly in the 70s/80s, and daylight is shrinking. It sucks, but now is the time to plan your Catskills Fall Foliage trip.
August 8 / Saturday — Foliage season in the Catskills is still several weeks away but search traffic is already kicking off. Hello, early-birds! Every year, as the colors change, I update this page with current conditions, timing, and recommendations for where to hike.
🍁 Catskills Fall Foliage FAQs
When is the best time to see fall foliage in the Catskills?
Catskills foliage typically begins to peak toward the end of September and usually runs until the last week of October. However, it’s different every year — so keep an eye on this page for the latest intel and photography.
When can you see fall colors in upstate NY?
Late September and early October. But bookmark this page and check back because it’s different every year.
Does the Catskills have foliage in October?
Absolutely. The first two weeks of October is always a solid bet. Sometimes we get lucky and the foliage stays on the trees until the end of the month. But that’s dependent on several factors combining in exactly the right way. Each year is different.
How long does Catskills fall foliage last?
Typically about 4 weeks, with apx 2 weeks being peak-peak. No two years are the same.
In 2021, it wound down around the end of October.
In 2022, the show was largely over by Oct 25 — though, if you knew where to look, there was still amazing foliage to be seen in a handful of magical patches.
In 2023, it also lasted until near the end of the month.
In 2024, the mountains were basically barren by October 21.
In 2025, it tapered off just after mid-month. It wasn’t a banger year.
In 2026, we’re having a pretty solid return of strong fall foliage. Phew!
Where is the best place to see fall foliage in upstate New York?
The great views are in the mountains. Plan on visiting the Catskills, the Adirondacks, and the Gunks.
Where’s the best place to stay for fall foliage in the Catskills?
Check out these incredible Catskills mountains rentals for an amazing stay.
Where does Catskills fall foliage hang on the longest?
Usually in the cloves, which are more protected from the elements. That means hikes like…
- Platte Clove
- Kaaterskill Clove
For more updates, follow me on Instagram @TotalCatskills.
Best Foliage Hikes
Plan your Catskills fall foliage hike with these helpful guides…
- Read › Best Fall Foliage Hikes in The Catskills
- Read › Hike Giant Ledge
- Read › Amazing Western Catskills Hikes
- Read › 6 Incredible Adirondack Fall Foliage Hikes
Can I see Catskills fall foliage reports from previous years?
You bet! Here they are…
- Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2025
- Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2024
- Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2023
- Catskills Fall Foliage Reports 2022
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I’m in Delaware County and we’re already seeing sugar maples change and birches drop their leaves two weeks ahead of September. Drought and inconsistent rain?
No doubt. It’s been a little weird for a few years. I expect it’ll only get weirder as we move deeper into climate change; it’s not going to be like it used to be.
This was great! Thank you for taking time and writing this.
Glad you liked it! Hope you can get out there to enjoy some of those amazing hikes we have!