These Are the 26 Best Places to See the Hudson Valley's Fall Foliage

There’s nothing we love more than the colors on the trees changing, giving us dazzling displays of fall foliage in the Hudson Valley. Luckily, the entire state of New York boasts a wide selection of broad-leafed trees in the autumn beginning in October, and there is a terrific pattern of brilliant red, orange, and yellow shades splattered across the landscape. If you're looking to visit a park, nature center, or go for a hike for some more up-close-and-personal foliage views, check out one of these spots for amazing views of the Hudson Valley’s fall foliage in Rockland, Ulster, Orange, and Dutchess counties, plus some amazing fall foliage cruises.

Click on your preferred region below to jump to that section:

• Rockland County
• Westchester County
• Orange County
• Dutchess County
• Ulster County
• Fall Foliage Cruises

Fall Foliage in Rockland County

1. Bear Mountain State Park

Route 9W North, Bear Mountain
845-786-2701
Hours: daily, dawn to dusk
Price: Through March 31, 2022: $10 per vehicle weekends and holidays, 8am-5pm

Bear Mountain fall foliage is considered a "must see" in autumn, especially the Perkins Memorial Tower. You can either drive up to the 40-foot tall stone look-out tower and then climb the steps to the observation windows, or, if you're feeling ambitious, you can hike from a lower point to the top. For a less strenuous walk, drive to the tower and then follow the Bear Mountain Summit Loop hike. Then, once you’re done, head over to the Bear Mountain Zoo to visit the animals.

 

 

 

 

 

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2. Kennedy Dells Park

355 N. Main St., New City
845-364-2670
Hours: daily, 6am-7pm

The park is heavily wooded with hemlocks, white pines, beeches, maples, black and red oaks, white ashes, and black locusts. 

3. Rockland Lake State Park

299 Rockland Lake Road, Valley Cottage 
845-268-3020
Hours: daily, daylight to dusk
Price: Through Oct. 24: $10 per vehicle Saturday-Sunday and holidays, 8am-4:30pm

The park offers hiking trails with breath-taking views of the Hudson valley along with a variety of activities like tennis, golf, grilling, playgrounds, and water features.

 

 

 

 

 

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4. High Tor State Park

415 S. Mountain Road, New City
845-634-8074
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-7:30pm
Price: $8 per vehicle

Hike to the top of High Tor mountain and enjoy 360 degree views of the Hudson River and miles of fall foliage.

5. Haverstraw Bay Park

21 Gagan Road, West Haverstraw
845-364-2670
Hours: daily, 6am-7pm

Hike, participate in one of the many activities, or view many of the beautiful wildlife creatures like the Belted Kingfisher, Mallard, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, Northern Cardinal, American Crow, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, Great Black-Backed Gull, and the Northern Mockingbird.

6. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site

44 Battlefield Road, Stony Point
845-786-2521
Hours: Museum: Wednesday- Saturday, 10:00a.m.- 4:30p.m.; Sunday, 12:00p.m.- 4:30p.m.
Restrooms:  Wednesday- Saturday, 9:00a.m.- 4:30p.m.; Sunday, 12:00p.m. to 4:30p.m.
Grounds: Wednesday- Saturday, 9:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.; Sunday, 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. (weather & staffing permitting). Grounds Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Price: Battlefield access is free during regular hours

Visit the site of the Battle of Stony Point, one of the last Revolutionary War battles in the northeastern colonies and home of the Stony Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. There are three scenic overlooks here, looking out over the Hudson River and Haverstraw Bay. 

Fall Foliage in Westchester

1. Teatown Lake Reservation

1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining
914-762-2912
Hours: Trails: daily, dawn to dusk; Visitor Center: daily, 9am-5pm

This 1,000-acre preserve is home to 15 miles of scenic hiking trails, which are open to the public year-round. Teatown maintains 14 trails across diverse terrain and habitats, including fields, mixed hardwood forests, laurel groves, lakes, streams, swamps, and farm land—giving visitors a unique view of the biological diversity of the lower Hudson Valley. 

2. Rockefeller State Park Preserve

125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville
914-631-1470
Hours: daily, dawn to dusk

Primarily a hardwood forest, the Rockefeller State Park Preserve is home to oak, tulip poplar, maple, and beech trees. Some of the trees here are more than 150-200 years old! Plus, hemlocks can be found along the 13 Bridges and Witches Spring trails.

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Route 35 and 121 South, Cross River
914-864-7317
Hours: daily, 8am to dusk

This 4,315-acre park is Westchester County’s largest park, which means there’s plenty of local flora and fauna to see year-round. Its rustic woodlands include evergreens, oak, hickory, and maple. Plus, this reserve is home to the Trailside Nature Museum.

4. Blue Mountain Reservation

435 Welcher Ave., Peekskill
914-862-5275
Hours: daily, 8am to dusk

Located in the northwest section of Westchester County, this 1,538-acre park was acquired in 1926. It features miles of unpaved trails for mountain biking and walking. And if you really want to see some great views of fall foliage, climb Blue Mountain (5-mile loop) or Mount Spitzenberg (1.6 miles).

5. Van Cortlandt Park

Van Cortlandt Park South between Broadway and Jerome Avenue, Bronx
Hours: daily, 6am-10pm

Located close to the Bronx/Westchester County line, The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, the Putnam Trail, the Muir Trail, and the John Kieran Trail provide beautiful native hardwoods to walk through and enjoy the changing fall colors.

6. Bronx River Greenway

1490 Sheridan Blvd., Bronx
Hours: daily, 6am-10pm

London planes, oaks, sassafras, red maples, tulip poplars, sycamores, and beeches line the greenway connecting many NYC parks. The Bronx River Forest is one of the oldest hardwood forests in the city.

7. Pelham Bay Park

Hutchinson River, Long Island Sound between Bronx County Line and Middletown Road, Watt Avenue
Hours: daily, 6am-10pm

Pelham Bay Park is the City's largest park property (yup, bigger than Central Park!). Take the Kazimiroff Trail through 189 acres of Hunter Island by the tall Norway spruces and white pines, which provide a habitat for great horned owls.

Fall Foliage in Orange County

1. Storm King Art Center

1 Museum Road, New Windsor
845-534-3115
Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 10am-5:30pm
Price: $23-$140,  depending on number of people in vehicle. Tickets are released in two-week blocks and are available on Wednesdays starting at 12 PM, we strongly recommend visiting the site to get your tickets now if interested in visiting Storm King to leaf peep.