Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin
With the fall season comes the beauty of colorful foliage.
Leaf peeping in New York offers overwhelming views and seasonal colors as leaves change, and after a slow start, they are starting to emerge as October kicks off.
While Delaware County is showing the most significant shift in fall colors, according to New York’s 2026 fall foliage report, other counties across the Southern Tier are starting to see some beautiful autumn foliage emerging.
Here’s how fall foliage is shifting so far throughout various New York counties from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, according to the foliage report, plus a good spot to visit if you’d like to witness it yourself.
Leaf peeping in New York: 2026 fall foliage report through Oct. 6
- Broome County: There has been a 30% change in the Binghamton area, with observers reporting “average-to-bright” fall foliage colors.
- Chenango County: Norwich is showing a 35% change, with “small pockets of red, yellow and orange,” though leaves are mostly green, according to observers.
- Chemung County: Elmira is showing a slight 15% change, with bright foliage specifically popping on early maple trees.
- Delaware County: Delaware County is showing the most drastic change, with a 60% foliage change reported in Delhi. Observers are reporting “average-to-bright” colors, as “foliage in certain pockets and valleys are approaching midpoint of change,” with trees showing yellow, gold and orange colors. Observers are also noting a 40% change in Stamford and Bloomville, with mostly red leaves and some yellow and orange, and a 40% change in Colchester, Roscoe, and Downsville, with “bright autumn colors emerging.”
- Livingston County: There is a 15% change in Mt. Morris at the north end of Letchworth State Park. Foliage is predominantly yellow with reds and oranges also starting to appear. Birches are now yellow, and both red and sugar maples are starting to change.
- Steuben County: There has been a 40% change in Corning, Hammondsport, Bath and Hornell, with observers reporting mostly orange leaves.
- Schuyler County: Just a 5% change has been observed in Watkins Glen with muted, mostly green leaves.
- Tioga County: A 25% change is being reported in Owego, with orange and a little bit of red and yellow colors popping up.
- Tompkins County: Ithaca and Trumansburg are showing a 20% change within Tompkins County, with observers reporting bright reds, oranges and yellows throughout the foliage.
Take a walk through Chenango Valley State Park
With Chenango County seeing a 35% change, and the fact that the weather still allows for a nice afternoon outside, it may make for a great time to head to Chenango Valley State Park and take in the park’s scenic views.
With miles of hiking trails, some of which go alongside Chenango and Lily lakes, it could make for a gorgeous, crisp fall hike, during which you can also be immersed by the fairly colorful tress, and make sure to stop along the way so you can take it all in.
- Location: 153 State Park Road, Chenango Forks.
- Hours: Open from sunrise to sunset daily.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Related: New York fall weather forecast 2026: Here’s what to expect
