I truly love Autumn. Not that I am prejudiced against the other seasons, there is just something special about the fall. It is like the earth is bathed in extraordinary colors and has that unique smell that evokes multitudes of pleasant memories. One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is to drive around and just admire the intensely beautiful foliage. There are places in New York where the drive is normally incredible but in the fall they are just spectacular.
Before You Go
Before you start out on your fun-filled travels, make sure you are prepared as some of these locations are fairly remote. Remember to fill up your gas tank before starting out so you don’t find yourself stranded on the highway. Of course, snacks are always a must for road trips, especially if you don’t know when you will run across any place to eat. Cell phone service is also spotty in many of these destinations and your GPS will undoubtedly not work. Knowing your route before you leave is important.
Honeoye Lake
The drive around Honeoye Lake is one of my favorite drives, especially East Lake Road, where the trees often cover the road almost like a hollow. You can catch intermittent views of the lake as you drive around. If you are looking to extend your ride you can drive through the Bristol Hills or through Canadice, where the scenery is just as breathtaking. There are a number of parks and state land in the area perfect for hiking. Take a drive up to the top of the hills to Harriet Hollister Spencer Park for one of the most stunning views in all the Finger Lakes.
Canandaigua Lake
The drive around Canandaigua Lake is roughly 55 miles but some of the most beautiful scenery can be found in and among its hills. I am especially fond of the south end of the lake. There are stops along the way that provide visitors with picture-worthy vistas. Visit one of the many parks perched on Canandaigua’s shoreline or stop for lunch at one of the countless numbers of restaurants and wineries located around the lake. If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive around this lake, fall is the perfect time to embark on a car trip.
Cayuga Lake ~ Route 89 & Route 90
Visitors can circumnavigate this beautiful lake via State Route 89 which runs the length of the west side and State Route 90 running along the East side of the lake. Several exquisite parks and waterfalls are located on this lake which provides the opportunity to get closer to nature and its wonders. Taughannock Falls is a must-see destination on this drive and is stunning in the fall. I am particularly fond of driving Route 89. I find the changing scenery exceptionally pretty on this side of the Lake. There are a large number of wineries and distilleries on this lake, so beware of frequently stopping traffic.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
A drive through Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in the fall is amazing. Visitors can take the main road through the refuge or drive along Route 89 (at the top of Cayuga Lake) and enjoy the fantastic colors of the leaves in the wetlands that surround the edges of Montezuma, all while enjoying the wildlife that is drawn to this refuge.
Letchworth State Park
The drive through Letchworth State Park is probably one of the most stunning you will encounter. After all, this place isn’t called the Grand Canyon of the East for nothing. With several waterfalls and awe-inspiring overlooks, this park is well known for being one of the best places to enjoy the fall foliage. While this drive is only 17 miles, on crowded days, it can be quite tedious because of the slow speed limit and cars continuously stopping.
Allegany State Park
I love Allegany State Park for so many reasons and seeing the fall foliage here is one of them. It is nothing short of amazing. If you are looking for a scenic drive this is it. Unlike Letchworth, This park has miles of roads that travel all over this park rather than one single route. Many of these roads travel through the unpopulated parts of the park. No matter when we visit, we rarely run into another vehicle on these backroads. This park is covered in trees with roads that wind through them. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might just catch a glimpse of some of the abundant wildlife that calls this park home.
Adirondacks Scenic Drives
Route 30
Route 30 is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the magnificent drives available within the Adirondack State Park. The mountains are truly incredible, and never more than when they are in their full-blown color change, especially on a sunny day. I swear that the mountains positively glow. While you can pick pretty much any road in the Adirondacks, this one is lined with lakes and parks that make the drive just that much prettier.
There are several DEC run campgrounds along this route that are perfect for an autumn camping trip to enjoy the colorful leaves. These campgrounds with the mountains surrounding the lakes, all bursting with color, are the perfect fall getaway.
Route 20 (Forked Lake Rd)
While there are plenty of scenic routes in the Adirondacks, Route 20 to Forked Lake was one of my favorites simply because of the deserted nature of the road. The road was covered in fallen leaves as if it hadn’t been driven down in a while. As we drove we were showered in brilliant red leaves falling from above. It was magical. This long winding road eventually leads to Forked Lake Campground.
Route 9N and 73
This drive takes you from Ausable Forks along the Ausable River to the Keene Valley. The road weaves around the river with the chiseled mountains looming overhead. This is a stunning drive with a number of places to stop and hike or just take in the scenic beauty.
Route 86 and Route 431
Taking this scenic route from Lake Placid into the Wilmington Wild Forest Area will take you past one of the most popular Adirondack destinations, Whiteface Mountain. If you decide to take the drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain, keep in mind that it isn’t cheap, they charge by the person (not the vehicle) to drive up to the scenic lookout. Like many of the routes in the Adirondacks, Route 86 runs along the water, the Western Branch of the Ausable River in this case. If you enjoy waterfalls, the route will also take you past the High Falls Gorge.
Route 28N
I love this Route through the Adirondacks. Beginning in Blue Mountain Lake and traveling along Long Lake and past numerous other lakes along the way. This Route is beautiful at any time of the year, but in the Fall, the colors are off the charts.
Inlet Rd and Route 3
This is an extraordinary stretch of highway that runs through the wilds of the Adirondacks. This highway runs past Cranberry Lake and leads to Tupper Lake. (Don’t forget to visit the Wild Center while you’re in Tupper Lake!) While Inlet Road is a small road off of Route 3 that travels through beautiful woods.
Finger Lakes National Forest
If you really want to get away from it all, this is the place to do it. While New York State has lots of State Forest, this is its only National Forest. This destination has a lot of different types of habitats besides forests to visit but the tree-lined roads here are what make this an amazing place to visit in the fall. There are tons of hiking trails located within the forest, and some of them have the added bonus of leading to some sort of water features like a creek or a pond to hike to.
Center of Keuka Lake ~Skyline Drive
Fall is spectacular in the Finger Lakes but some places are more impressive than others. One of the most incredible places to take a fall foliage drive is down the center of the Y in Keuka Lake, Skyline Drive. This scenic road ends with a breathtaking view of Keuka Lake but not before passing by one of the most beautiful chapels you could ever hope to see, Garrett Memorial Chapel. This picturesque chapel provides visitors with a gorgeous view of the lake and a lovely setting to explore.
Do you have a favorite scenic fall drive? We’d love to hear about it. Please leave us a comment below.