Experience the Adirondacks Fall Foliage Close to Home in Old Forge
Why We Love Old Forge for Fall Foliage Watching
There are hundreds of fall foliage spots across the Adirondacks. But, we want to focus on one of our favorite places. Old Forge is an amazing town for a quick visit or a week-long stay. There are many things we love about Old Forge – and many memories we’ve made there.
First, Old Forge is an easy day trip from most places in NY. Only a few hours from most Upstate metro areas, Old Forge is at the western foothills of the Adirondacks. It’s the perfect town to taste the Adirondacks without the long drives.
Second, there are many activities for couples, families, and groups. From Enchanted Forest in the summer to skiing on McCauley Mountain. Explore one of Old Forge’s family-friendly hikes. Also, Bald or Black Bear Mountains are perfect for Instagram fall foliage posts.
South Shore Rd. to Rt. 28
With all the amazing foliage spots around Old Forge, we highlight one amazing drive. Anyone familiar with the area knows about South Shore Rd. But, it’s often neglected during peak fall days. Not only are there great spots to stop and grab a few pictures, but you’ll have a chance to see deer or black bears.
You’ll start close to Rt 28 in Old Forge with your first stop. With plenty of free parking, Old Forge Pond is the perfect spot to fire up your passion for photography. Take a relaxing stroll along the shore. Extend your reach on the piers and get great photos of the beautiful red and orange leaves. The warm colors make an amazing contrast to the shoreline.
Next, you’ll take a little drive up South Shore Rd. Enjoy the crisp fall air with a little music playing. You’ll see Twin Ponds a few miles up the road on the right. Use the pull-off to get some great pictures. Pay attention to the shoreline. You can see snakes, turtles, dragonflies, and maybe a deer. Take the next pull-off for Quiver Pond a few more miles up the road. Quiver Pond is wider offering more views for your foliage pleasure.
At the end of South Shore Rd, you’ll turn left on Rt. 28 in Inlet. Rt. 28 has many great spots to pull over. Additionally, you’ll pass Black Bear and Bald mountains, seeing each from the highway. If you have time, stop in Inlet, Eagle Bay, or Old Forge and check out the shops. Grab a coffee at the Blue Line Coffee House in Inlet. Stop for a donut in Eagle Bay at the Donut Shop. For lunch, Slickers in Old Forge has great burgers. It’s one of our favorites.
Other Old Forge Spots to Check Out the Foliage
If you have more time for foliage viewing, we have a few more options for you to enjoy. For the perfect weekend trip, Old Forge offers various lodging options. Check out an Airbnb, or if you’re a camping fanatic, check out Nick’s Lake State Campground. Moose River Plains outside Inlet has many great dispersed camping spots. Or, one of our favorites, Old Forge Camp Resort. You’ll find great camp lots with water, sewer and electric sites.
If you enjoy free camping, Moose River Plains is the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. Also, you can spend hours exploring and capturing the perfect Instagram shots. Traveling along the 30+ mile road, you’ll find a beautiful spot opening to a dam. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get a camping spot open there.
For the outdoor enthusiast, Old Forge is perfect for easy, but amazing hikes. The Fulton Chain Trifecta offers beginner hikes for almost everyone. Get some fresh air with great views of the lakes and Moose River Plains. Rocky Mountain is the shortest at .5 miles. Bald Mountain comes in at .9 miles but offers great views from Rondaxe Fire Tower at the summit. Finally, Black Bear Mountain offers a 1.9 and 3.1-mile trail. Take advantage of the amazing views of the surrounding mountains at the top.
McCauley Mountain’s chair lift is an amazing experience at $10 per adult and $6 for children 6-16. Not only will you capture the foliage and the Fulton Chain, but you can see Whiteface and Mt. Marcy on the horizon.
Try the Adirondack Railroad for a relaxed stroll and a different point of view of the area. The railroad offers rides through the high peaks from Utica and Thendara. Ride the rail bikes through October, for an immersive experience without the traffic.
Old Forge is Perfect for Your Fall Foliage Weekend Trip
Old Forge is perfect for a day trip or weekend stay. Its location, activities and beauty make it a must for your NY travel bucket list. Let us know what you think about our South Shore Rd adventure. Sign up for our newsletter for more NY travel destinations from people who live and travel in NY. Give us a follow on social media and help us get our travel posts out to NY travelers.
