Fall Foliage in the Catskills

Peak Color, Fire Pit Nights, and the Most Beautiful Drive in New York

Fall is the Catskills at its absolute best. The mountains turn every shade of red, orange, and gold, the air sharpens, and the light goes amber in the late afternoon. There's no better base for a fall foliage trip in New York than a cabin with a fire pit, a hot tub, and a pond that reflects the changing trees.

Peak color in the Northern Catskills typically runs from late September through mid-October, with the exact timing varying by elevation. Book well in advance — fall weekends at Bear House Catskills fill up months ahead.

Fall at Bear House Catskills

•     Watch the leaves change from the deck overlooking the pond

•     Evening fires in the outdoor fire pit — bring sweaters and s'mores

•     Year-round hot tub — even better in the crisp fall air

•     Indoor fireplace for cozy afternoons with books and wine

•     Wake up to fall light streaming through the trees

Fall Foliage Drives & Hikes

•     Route 23A through Haines Falls — one of the most dramatic mountain drives in the Northeast, especially at peak color

•     Kaaterskill Falls — the trail through the gorge is magical in fall, surrounded by color

•     North-South Lake — the view from the escarpment over the Hudson Valley in fall is unforgettable

•     Overlook Mountain — a moderate hike to a fire tower with 360-degree fall panoramas above Woodstock

•     Catskill Scenic Trail — an easy, flat walk through rolling fall countryside

•     Hunter Mountain gondola — runs in fall for leaf-peeping rides to the summit

Fall in Woodstock & the Hudson Valley

•     Woodstock fall gallery walks and harvest festivals

•     Catskill Mountain Foundation fall film series and concerts

•     Apple picking at nearby orchards — Thompson-Finch Farm, Prospect Hill Orchards

•     Hudson Valley harvest dinners and winery events