When most travelers picture a fall foliage trip, Vermont or New Hampshire may come to mind first. A new ranking, however, gives the top spot to a much larger mountain region in upstate New York.
The Adirondacks were named the No. 1 U.S. destination for fall foliage in 2026. The sprawling region placed ahead of several places known for their colorful autumn scenery.
According to hotel search data Priceline provided to Travel + Leisure, the Adirondacks were the most-searched fall foliage destination among U.S. travelers. The company looked at searches for popular foliage destinations between Oct. 2 and Oct. 26.
The Columbia River Gorge placed second, while Aspen came in third. Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, completed the top five.
The Adirondacks Cover 6 Million Acres
Photo by Hazal Ozturk on Unsplash
The Adirondack Park covers approximately 6 million acres and is the largest protected region in the contiguous United States. Its mountains, lakes, forests and small towns give visitors several ways to experience the changing leaves.
Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Mirror Lake and the Adirondack High Peaks are among the region’s most recognizable destinations. Travelers can also explore Whiteface Mountain, Tupper Lake and Keene Valley.
“The Adirondacks deliver the quintessential Northeast experience, with red and orange foliage, mountain lakes, scenic drives and small towns,” Priceline consumer travel trends expert Christina Bennett told TravelPulse.
Popular driving routes include Route 86 near the Ausable River and the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The High Peaks Scenic Byway also passes mountain peaks, waterfalls and lakes along Route 73.
Peak Color Usually Arrives by Mid-October
Fall colors in the Adirondacks historically peak between late September and mid-October, though timing can vary across the region due to elevation and weather.
New York publishes a weekly fall foliage report during the season to help visitors find the strongest colors. Travelers may want to check the latest map shortly before leaving, especially if they plan to visit several parts of the Adirondacks.
Other destinations in Priceline’s top 10 include Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees, North Lake Tahoe, the Berkshires, Stowe and French Lick, Indiana.
Where is your favorite spot to take in all of the beautiful fall colors?