Forecasting Fall Foliage Peak & Reliable Sources
2025 Finger Lakes Fall Foliage Outlook by City
How the season usually unfolds (and why it varies)
Higher elevations and the southern and western hills near Naples, Hammondsport, Corning and Watkins Glen typically turn first. Lakeside towns on the north end of the lakes including Geneva, Canandaigua, Seneca Falls and along wider/colder lakes can run a bit later. Historically, the Finger Lakes window runs mid-October through the first week of November, but warm or wet spells can shift things a few days either way.
Quick note on accuracy: Peak varies with weather and elevation. These are this year’s forecast windows based on live/updating foliage resources and recent historical patterns. Always check a week out for the latest conditions. Generally speaking, if conditions are trending cooler and wetter than normal, bump up these forecasts by a week.
Naples (Canandaigua Lake)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 15–21.
Fall Fun Experiences: Naples Grape Festival Weekend (Sept. 26-28), Take a scenic drive to South Bristol Overlook for a picnic with a stunning view, have a classic outdoor adventure and a bird's-eye-view of fall foliage on a Bristol Mountain Fall Sky Rides.
Watkins Glen (Southern Seneca Lake)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 15–21 (southern Finger Lakes tend to pop first; nearby reports show strong mid-Oct color progression).
Fall Fun Experience: Walk the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park, Take in hidden natural gems like Eagle Cliff Falls, then go wine tasting on the shores of Seneca Lake on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Hammondsport & Corning (Keuka Lake)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 15–21 (southern/western FLX trend earlier; local roundups show rapid mid-Oct change).
Fall Fun Experience: Enjoy the Keuka Lake scenic loop and circumnavigate the lake in just a single afternoon; Abbreviate your fall foliage viewing by taking in several historic museums including Glenn Curtiss Museum, Finger Lakes Boating Museum and Corning Museum of Glass between drives.
Ithaca (Cayuga Lake)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 22–28 (Ithaca often peaks the 3rd–4th week of Oct; 2023 peaked Oct 25–31).
Fall Fun Experience: Take breathtaking fall foliage photos during fall hikes at Taughannock Falls & Robert H. Treman State Parks, brake for cider donuts at Ithaca's Apple Harvest Festival, and a bookmark your day with a wine flight on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
Geneva & Penn Yan (northern Seneca/Keuka)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 22–28.
Fall Fun Experience: Experience estate winery tastings along the north/west shores of Seneca Lake and pick up local farm products at roadside stands or Saturday Farmers' Markets; Don't forget that sunset lake cruises are among the most memorable fall activities.
Canandaigua (north end of Canandaigua Lake)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 22–Nov 1 (similar latitude/elevation to Geneva; lake moderation nudges peak slightly later). Inference based on proximity and region norms.
Fall Fun Experience: Bristol Mountain Fall Sky Rides, Colors-of-the-Season scenic drive, U-pick + farm markets.
Skaneateles & Auburn (Skaneateles/Cayuga)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 22–Nov 1 (tracks with Geneva/Penn Yan timing; lake effect can stretch color). Inference based on proximity and region norms.
Fall Fun Experience: Stroll quaint cities and villages and take in classic architecture, view fall foliage from the unique perspective provided by a lake cruise, stop at local bakeries, or make quick side trip to waterfalls in the eastern Finger Lakes.
Seneca Falls (north end of Cayuga/Seneca)
Forecast Fall Foliage Peak: Oct 29–Nov 4 (one of the later pops in the region).
Fall Fun Experience: Women’s Rights National Historical Park, take canal-side walks, catch bird fall bird migration at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and indulge in harvest season winery/cidery stops.
For weekly, county-by-county confirmations as the season starts, use New York State’s official foliage report and a live updating map (both update through October).
How the season usually unfolds (and why it varies)
Higher elevations and the southern/western hills near Naples, Hammondsport, Corning, Watkins Glen typically turn first; lakeside towns farther north (Geneva, Canandaigua, Seneca Falls) and along wider/colder lakes can run a bit later. Historically, the Finger Lakes window runs mid-October through early November, but warm or wet spells can shift things a few days either way.
