National Seashore·New York·2,905 acres
Fire Island National Seashore
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Higher ground turns first, so the slopes above the road lead the valley by a few days.
Weather Wind to 31 mph Thursday. Color may come down before it turns.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at Fire Island National Seashore in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Fire Island National Seashore around Oct 20, and the four days to aim for are Oct 19 to 22.
That's 3 days earlier than our model alone would say, because this season's reports from the ground moved it.
| Week | In the seashore |
|---|---|
| Oct 5 to Oct 11 | Starting to turn |
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Nearly peak |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Peak color |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Just past peak |
- 0–1,000 ftLeaves downpeak Oct 2096%
Height off 3DEP inside the seashore’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the seashore stands in it.
That’s 3 days earlier than our model alone would say. This season’s reports from the ground moved it, and they outrank us.
Plan this tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Monday, October 19 to Tuesday, October 20
You’ll find it peak color.
That's the day our forecast puts peak color here.
- Where to drive
- Palisades Interstate Parkway, about 56 miles · Route 169, about 95 miles · Route 97 (Hawk's Nest), about 104 miles
- What turns
- red maple, sweetgum, blackgum, water oak, bald cypress
What turns, and when
- red maple18%
- sweetgum16%
- blackgum16%
- water oak16%
- bald cypress16%
- river birch9%
Also named across New York, outside what the canopy read measures here: Sugar Maple, American Beech, Yellow Birch, Red Oak.
The Adirondacks produce color as vivid as anywhere in New England, with sugar maples blazing orange across mountainsides of birch gold and beech bronze, all reflected in thousands of lakes.
Questions people ask about Fire Island National Seashore
- When is peak fall foliage at Fire Island National Seashore?
Our forecast puts peak color at Fire Island National Seashore around Oct 20, and the four days to aim for are Oct 19 to 22.
- Where is the best fall color at Fire Island National Seashore right now?
On Nov 10 the seashore is leaves down.
- How long does peak last at Fire Island National Seashore?
About four days at the top, Oct 19 to 22, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive.
- Is Fire Island National Seashore past peak?
Yes. Peak was around Oct 20, and on Nov 10 it's leaves down.
- What trees turn color at Fire Island National Seashore?
Sugar Maple, Red Maple, American Beech, Yellow Birch, Red Oak. The Adirondacks produce color as vivid as anywhere in New England, with sugar maples blazing orange across mountainsides of birch gold and beech bronze, all reflected in thousands of lakes.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
- Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26
- Peak Oct 8 best Oct 7 to 10
- Peak Oct 7 best Oct 6 to 9
- Peak Oct 22 best Oct 21 to 24
- Peak Oct 21 best Oct 20 to 23
Fall color roads near Fire Island National Seashore
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the seashore, so allow more by road.
- Palisades Interstate Parkway
Runs along the Hudson River cliffs from the George Washington Bridge north. The understory turns gold beneath towering oaks.
- Route 169
Designated a National Scenic Byway, this quiet road through the Last Green Valley is Connecticut's best-kept fall secret. Peaks late October.
- Route 97 (Hawk's Nest)
A short, thrilling stretch above the Delaware River near Port Jervis. Photograph from the overlook on the east side for the classic shot.
- Route 28 through the Catskills
From Kingston to Margaretville through the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Best in the first two weeks of October.
- Mohawk Trail (Route 2)
The original scenic highway in America, crossing the Berkshires. The Hairpin Turn overlook at Florida, MA offers a 60-mile view of color.
- Route 30 (Great Northern Catskills)
Runs through Schoharie Valley and into the northern Catskills. Less traffic than Route 28 with equally stunning maple color.