If you’re planning a fall trip to the Catskills, timing is everything. Come too early and the higher elevations are still green; come too late and you’re driving through bare branches.
This guide breaks down when foliage typically peaks around Windham, NY, plus the scenic drives and lookout points we send our own guests to every single year.
When Does Fall Foliage Peak Near Windham, NY?
The Catskills don’t turn all at once — elevation drives the timing more than the calendar does. Here’s the general pattern
to expect in 2026:
- Late September: Higher elevations (3,000+ feet, like the peaks around Hunter and Windham Mountain) start showing real color first.
- Early-to-mid October: This is typically peak season for the mid-elevation slopes and most of the classic scenic
drives — usually the best two-to-three week stretch of the year. - Mid-to-late October: Color moves down into the valleys and lower elevations, giving you a second wave even after
the mountaintops have passed peak.
That staggered timeline is actually good news for trip planning — it means there’s roughly a month-long window, not just one perfect weekend, to catch the Catskills at their best.
The Best Scenic Drives & Lookout Points
Five State Lookout (Mohican Trail, East Windham)
A short drive from the house along Route 23 in East Windham, this roadside overlook sits around 1,900 feet in elevation and offers views into five states — New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and even New Hampshire’s White Mountains on a clear day. It’s a free pull-off, making it an easy add-on to any drive rather than a destination unto itself.
Route 23A Through Kaaterskill Clove
This might be the single best fall drive in the Catskills. Route 23A winds from Hunter through Tannersville and Haines Falls before dropping dramatically into Kaaterskill Clove, with the Devil’s Path range visible across the valley for much of the drive. It’s a genuine mountain pass, with pull-offs along the way for photos.
Colgate Lake (East Jewett)
About ten minutes from Windham, Colgate Lake is a quiet, 29-acre lake inside the Catskill Forest Preserve, surrounded on three sides by the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness Area. It’s been named one of the state’s standout fall foliage spots, and unlike the bigger tourist draws, it rarely feels crowded. Free to visit, with a small parking area on County Route 78.
Kaaterskill Falls
At 260 feet, Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in New York State — a two-tier cascade reached by a moderate 1.5- mile round-trip hike off Route 23A. Framed by fall color, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the entire region.
Windham Mountain’s Scenic Chairlift
For foliage views without the hike, Windham Mountain runs its scenic chairlift through the fall season, carrying riders up for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding ridgelines in full color — a good option if your group includes anyone who’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride.
Tips for Chasing Fall Colors
- Go midweek if you can. Peak weekends bring peak traffic on the scenic routes, especially Route 23A.
- Morning light is best for photos — the low sun brings out the color, and lookout points are far less crowded before 10am.
- Bring layers. Elevation swings mean it can be 15 degrees cooler at a mountaintop lookout than back at the house.
- Build in flexibility. If one weekend’s forecast is cloudy, the staggered peak timeline means there’s usually still good color the week after.
Where to stay: Make Unwind Windham Your Fall Basecamp
Chasing foliage is a lot more fun when you’re not driving home at the end of the day. Unwind Windham sits minutes from several of the spots on this list, with room for the whole group to come back to after a day on the road:
- Sleeps 10, so the group stays together instead of splitting across hotel rooms
- Fire pit for the evenings — hard to beat after a day of leaf-peeping
- Hot tub and sauna to warm up once the mountain air turns cold
Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall foliage near Windham, NY?
Higher elevations typically peak in late September through early October, with lower elevations and valleys following through mid-to-late October.
Is Kaaterskill Falls a difficult hike?
No — it’s a moderate 1.5-mile round trip from the Route 23A parking area, suitable for most fitness levels.
Ready to Plan Your Fall Trip?
A month-long color window, a handful of unforgettable drives, and a house built for the whole group to unwind in afterward — that’s a fall weekend worth planning around.
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