Finger Lakes National Forest, New Yorkfall foliage
No reports yet this season for Finger Lakes National Forest.
Right now in Finger Lakes National Forest · September
- Backbone Horse Campground open · May–Nov
19days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by mid-October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 12:20 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Finger Lakes National Forest
First frost usually in ~1 weeks
Oct 8Average first fall frost
May 10Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Mecklenburg 4sw station (7.1 mi away, 1,510 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Finger Lakes National Forest through the year
- Horse trails closed (mud)Mar–Apr
- Backbone Horse Campground openNowMay–Nov
- Forest roads closedDec–Apr
Best spots around Finger Lakes National Forest
- Caywood PointTrail down to a lakeside beach with panoramic views
- Interloken TrailVistas west to Seneca Lake
- Burnt Hill TrailForests, shrublands and pastures with many vistas
Trees this fall (Sep 15–21). Across the Mid-Atlantic, sugar maple and flowering dogwood are behind a typical year; the rest are close to typical. Which trees turn when →
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Backbone Horse Campground (Finger Lakes) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Finger Lakes National Forest (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Caywood Point (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Interloken Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Burnt Hill Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26) · US Forest Service, Green Mountain and Finger Lakes conditions (opens in a new tab) (Sep 26)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Finger Lakes National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Finger Lakes National Forest yet. Statewide for New York: color is usually well under way by mid-October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Finger Lakes National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 19 days (usually well under way by mid-October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
When is the forest busiest?
Autumn is its most popular season, when the trees and pastures turn color. Hunters use the woods and brush lands then too.Source: US Forest Service, Finger Lakes National Forest ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Finger Lakes National Forest?
Caywood Point: trail down to a lakeside beach with panoramic views; Interloken Trail: vistas west to Seneca Lake; Burnt Hill Trail: forests, shrublands and pastures with many vistas.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Finger Lakes National Forest?
Forest roads closed (Dec–Apr); Horse trails closed (mud) (Mar–Apr).
What is Finger Lakes National Forest like through the year?
Forest roads closed (Dec–Apr), Backbone Horse Campground open (May–Nov) and Horse trails closed (mud) (Mar–Apr).