See the Top Fall Foliage Spots in Yates County: A Local’s Guide (2026)
The best fall foliage spots in Yates County don’t come with ticket lines or crowds; and after years of chasing color around these hills, we can tell you exactly where to find them. Here’s where locals actually go when the Finger Lakes’ hillsides stunningly showcase red, gold, and orange colors, plus something to do near each spot so a foliage stop turns into a full autumn day.
Planning around a weekend? Pair these stops with our top fall events in Yates County.
Header photo credit of Burney Baron Photo
When Is Peak Fall Foliage in Yates County?
Peak fall color in Yates County and the Finger Lakes typically arrives around mid-October, with the first golden edges along Keuka Lake showing in late September. Higher elevations and gullies change first; lakeside hillsides hold color into early November. If you can only pick one week, aim for October 10–20; and truthfully, any crisp autumn day here earns the drive.
For real-time conditions, check the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, which tracks color changes across New York State weekly throughout the season, including the Finger Lakes region. Their interactive map shows peak progression and even lets you share your best shots with #NYLovesFall.
Fall Foliage Spots in Yates County: Where Locals Actually Go
1. Garrett Memorial Chapel and Skyline Drive
Perched high on Bluff Point on Skyline Drive in the town of Jerusalem, Garrett Memorial Chapel the “Little Chapel on the Mount”- sits above the west branch of Keuka Lake like something from a storybook. Built in 1931 in Norman Gothic style, it’s surrounded by maples and oaks that frame the lake view in red and gold every fall.
The secret locals know: part of the foliage show here is the drive itself. Skyline Drive and the East and West Bluff Roads trace the bluffs along Keuka’s edge, offering one of the most picturesque autumn drives in the Finger Lakes. Go on a weekday morning and you may have the overlook nearly to yourself.
Nearby, don’t miss: Wind your way down the bluff to the restaurant and Bar at The Mansion on Keuka for lunch, or stop at a farm stand along Route 54A for Concord grapes; a Finger Lakes fall tradition.
2. Botsford Nature Preserve
If Garrett Chapel is the postcard, Botsford Nature Preserve is the inside tip. This 26-acre Finger Lakes Land Trust preserve off Hemlock Road near Branchport protects 2,500 feet of Big Gully; a three-mile gorge carved from the Guyanoga Valley toward Italy Hill State Forest. A gentle 0.3-mile trail (about a 20-minute round trip) leads through open meadows and maturing woodlands to the gorge rim, where the canopy layers of yellow, orange, and crimson do the heavy lifting.
Why we love it? It’s quiet. In peak season you’ll likely see more chickadees than people.
Nearby, don’t miss: Pair it with a tasting at one of the West Lake Road wineries on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail: harvest season means the vineyards themselves are part of the color show. You’ll find local wineries on our wineries page.
3. State Route 14 for Vineyards near Dundee
You don’t even have to park for this one! Route 14 south of Dundee winds through working vineyards draped over the hillsides above Seneca Lake, and in autumn the vineyards turn copper and amber alongside the hardwoods. Fulkerson Winery and its neighbors along the corridor make it easy to build in stops- choose from seventh-generation farm families, u-pick fall harvest, and tasting rooms with views of Seneca stacked in every direction.
Local tip: late afternoon is when the low sun sets the vineyard rows glowing. Bring a camera and take it slow.
Nearby, don’t miss: Continue south along Seneca Lake to the village of Watkins Glen, or loop back up for dinner in Hammondsport, America’s Coolest Small Town, at the foot of Keuka. If you’re building a meal into your tastings, bookmark our guide to winery restaurants along Seneca and Keuka Lakes.
4. Keuka Lake State Park
For classic lake-and-leaves scenery, nothing in the county matches Keuka Lake State Park outside Branchport. The park’s bluff-top trails and wooded ravines overlook the widest stretch of the lake, so you get those impossible Finger Lakes compositions with blue water below, blazing hillsides beyond. Locals favor early morning or mid-afternoon, when the light hits the water and color best.
The park is open dawn to dusk, and fall means no summer lines, no wait, no ticket. Just you, the trail, and the view!
Nearby, don’t miss: Picnic at one of the park’s lake-side tables.
5. Waterfalls along the Keuka Outlet Trail
Waterfalls and fall color are the pairing nobody talks about enough! Cascade Mills Falls- a 20-foot cascade tumbling past the ruins of the old Seneca Paper Mill- sits on the Keuka Outlet Trail between Penn Yan and Dresden. The roughly 7-mile trail follows the old railroad grade along the outlet that connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake, and both Cascade Mills and 40-foot Seneca Mills Falls are framed by hardwoods in full October beauty.
The walk to either falls is nearly level and less than a mile from the Outlet Road parking areas, making this the best foliage outing in the county for families, strollers, and anyone who wants maximum color for minimum effort. It’s also a favorite stretch on our dog-friendly travel itinerary if your leaf-peeping partner has four legs. Don’t feel like walking that far? Rent an e-bike from Shoreline Rentals along the trail.
Nearby, don’t miss: Start or end in Penn Yan with coffee from a Main Street café, or pop into the Keuka Candy Emporium before heading home.
6. Conklin’s Gully, Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area
This one’s for the leaf-peepers who like their foliage with a side of adventure. On the county’s western edge near Naples, Conklin’s Gully (in the DEC’s Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area) packs roughly a dozen waterfalls into a 1.1-mile gorge walled in sheer rock. Fall drapes the rim in gold and red, and the yellow-blazed rim trail overlooks cascades 200 feet below.
A local’s fair warning: the gorge hike is genuinely rugged with a rocky creek bed, climbing sections, no easy accessibility. Hiking the rim is the smarter autumn call, and the best time to visit is spring and fall. Go in daylight, take your time, and give yourself hours.
Nearby, don’t miss: Reward the effort at Seneca Farms in Penn Yan with homemade ice cream, corn fritters. They typically close for the season around the third week of October; so go while they’re still scooping.
7. Dutch Street and McGregor Vineyard
Ask a local for the single best Keuka Lake view in fall and you’ll often hear “Dutch Street.” The ridge road east of Dundee overlooks the wide section of the lake and the end of the bluff, and the crown of the route is McGregor Vineyard; a family winery known for vinifera reds and a tasting-room view that belongs on a calendar page. In October, vineyard rows turn russet between the hardwood slopes, with the lake glittering below.
Drive it slow late in the day; this is where Yates County does its best sunset work.
Nearby, don’t miss: Make it a mini wine tour by continuing along the east side of Keuka and stop at a few wineries then head north to Penn Yan for dinner.
Plan Your Fall Visit
Plan your autumn escape today! From chapel overlooks to gorge trails and vineyard-draped hillsides, the fall foliage spots in Yates County combine harvest flavors and small-town warmth all within a single afternoon- and your perfect fall getaway is closer than you think. Turn it into an overnight with one of our cozy inns, lakeside motels, and campgrounds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is peak fall foliage in Yates County, NY?
Peak color typically arrives in mid-October, with early color starting in late September and lakeside views lingering into early November. Mid-month weekdays offer the best color with the fewest crowds. For live conditions, check the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report’s weekly Finger Lakes updates.
What are the best fall foliage spots in Yates County?
Locals recommend Garrett Memorial Chapel and Skyline Drive, Botsford Nature Preserve, the Route 14 vineyards near Dundee, Keuka Lake State Park, Cascade Mills Falls on the Keuka Outlet Trail, Conklin’s Gully, and Dutch Street/McGregor Vineyard overlooking Keuka Lake.
Which Yates County foliage spots are easy for families?
Cascade and Seneca Mills Falls on the Keuka Outlet Trail involve nearly level walks of under a mile each. Keuka Lake State Park and Botsford Nature Preserve offer short, gentle trails. Reserve Conklin’s Gully for experienced hikers.
Can I combine fall foliage with wine tasting in Yates County?
Yes! Harvest season is arguably the best time to visit. The Route 14 vineyards near Dundee and McGregor Vineyard on Dutch Street pair vineyard-row color with tastings minutes apart.
Is there an admission fee for these foliage spots?
All seven spots are free to visit, including the state park (dawn to dusk), the Land Trust preserves, the Outlet Trail, and the scenic drives. Wine tastings may carry small fees.