Our goal is to find out what the best days are for autumn foliage in the various areas of central to southern Central Park through bi-daily walkthroughs (studies) of key areas of the park. This study is for 2022, below 100th street and we will derive patterns for future autumns.
This post is continually being updated based on studying the autumn foliage in Central Park.
Last Updated: Nov 11th 2022 –> * If you are headed to Central Park right now, the best area for peak foliage is the pond, followed by Hallet Nature Sanctuary.
Where and when to find the peak foliage in Central Park
1. The Literary Walk – peak dates, October 25 – November 1st, 2022
2. The Pond – peak dates, November 7 – 12
3. The Ramble – On the lake shoreline, November 4-7 | Deeper inside the Ramble, November 11 – 16
4. Sheep Meadow – November 7th – November 12
5. The Hallet Nature Sanctuary – November 7th – November 12
Central Park’s Literary Walk – Autumn 2022
To get there: Enter Central Park at 66th Street or at 72nd Street.
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Ui2wqkbvbSN8EVap9
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
This area of Central Park, marked in blue on the map to the left, is where the autumn foliage first turns into beautiful colors. While most of the park is still green with a spot of yellow here or there, the yellow has taken over the literary walk.
This area is a classic place in the park, it feels like a promenade with benches lining the sides as if we should expect royalty to walk down it with flowing dresses.
These American Elm trees turn first, big and bright yellow.
Literary Walk Foliage on October 25
As you can see in the picture to the right, it’s starting to get beautiful. It is starting to hit peak foliage time. However, there is still plenty of green to be seen, but still beautiful.
If you came just a bit too early for foliage, the Literary walk is your best chance of seeing the fall foliage.
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary Walk Foliage on October 27
This is the high point of the literary walk fall foliage in Central Park. Nearly every leaf is bright yellow with a few leaves slowly drifting to the ground all around you. It’s the best time to be in this section of the park.
Strolling through these paths with the leaves falling at my shoulders and the brightest color yellow all around me on all sides
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary Walk Foliage on October 29
The literary walk is still gorgeous with the bright yellows of the American Elms. From my walk through the area today I felt that while still amazing, some trees in the area have shed all of their leaves and that among the bright yellows there were patches of very light brown.
While I 100% recommend this area for peak foliage today, it feels beyond the peak to me. At this time though, other areas of the park are starting to turn to make some surprise beautiful spots
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary Walk Foliage on October 31
The foliage is still beautiful at the literary walk, but now some areas are clearly better than others. Some trees have lost nearly all of their leaves and others are nearing the end of their peak.
Walking along the literary walk, I noticed the trees on the outskirts of the walking area were turning a bright red. So there is always something good to see here at this time.
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary walk foliage on November 2nd
Walking along the literary walk in Central Park, I can tell that the peak has ended. The majority of the yellow leaves on the trees have fallen, leaving much more visible branches with a few green trees still standing tall. It is still beautiful in places but for how much longer?
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary walk foliage on November 4th
The literary walk in Central Park still has some nice spots, but overall the trees are more barren. You can see more of the tree trunks than the colorful leaves. This is still a great place to walk, but the foliage doesn’t measure up compared to other places in the park.
Literary walk Foliage pictures by date
Literary walk foliage on November 7th
I’d say it’s over, but there is still some yellow to be seen. You can still squeeze out a gorgeous view here in certain spots but there are just simply better areas to explore at this point if you aren’t tied to the curated walkway.
Central Park’s the Pond – Autumn 2022
To get there: Enter Central Park at the most southeastern point (59th Street) and walk right up to it.
Map with picture spots: https://goo.gl/maps/D7Y6erdbzhXah7tw7
The Pond Foliage pictures by date
This area of Central Park is highlighted on the map to the left.
“The Pond” is excellently located and a great place to enjoy a calm breeze over the water with a border of trees opposite you.
The Pond foliage on November 4th
Today, this area of the park is turning the foliage up. Directly across from the pond colors are starting to show. Walking along the outside of the pond provides a number of nice views. Don’t miss walking up the giant rock behind you! That is where this picture came from.
The Pond Foliage pictures by date
The Pond foliage on November 7th
The reds are a bit less rich, but this area is turning now. It is clearly the start of the foliage peak for the season.
The Pond Foliage pictures by date
The Pond foliage on November 9th
The pond continues to be a great place to spend your time. While some trees have lost all of their leaves this area has the most trees that are turning colors. Even better, there are a ton of nice places to get great foliage photos.
The Pond Foliage pictures by date
The Pond foliage on November 11th
Wow. Over the last 2 days, the foliage at the pond in Central Park got really became amazing. Take a look at that photo on the left! The colors really pop and there are shades of yellows, reds, and green throughout this area. If you’re coming to NYC, go here now.
The Pond Foliage pictures by date
Central Park’s the Ramble – Autumn 2022
To get there: Enter Central Park at 79th Street or 77th on the west side then make your way over to these winding trails
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/CNZiNGNGxXLv3dCC6
The Ramble, foliage photos by date
This area of Central Park is highlighted on the map to the left.
The Ramble is the ideal place to feel like you’re getting lost among the woods in Central Park. It’s full of weaving, winding trails filled with rock formations, and a stream of water. At southern points, it also has great, quiet views of the lake.
The Ramble foliage on November 4th
The bulk of this area is still green. However, the path along the lake has a number of really bright spots! So I don’t recommend getting lost along the various inner paths, but if you stick to the path along the water you can best enjoy peak fall colors.
The Ramble foliage on November 7th
The path along the water peaked and remains pretty, although it is clearly on the decline. Conversely, the area that does not border the water is still more green than full of colors.
The Ramble foliage on November 9th
I was surprised by the Ramble today. The tree line near the water was in decline, but still pretty and walking along the trails inside of the Ramble every now and then there was something truly stunning between both green trees and trees that had lost their leaves already. Still a good place to go.
The Ramble foliage on November 9th
The odd thing is that I keep believing that the next time I walk through the inner portion of the Ramble I’m going to be blown away… and I still think that. Right now it is pretty, but it feels off. As if some of the trees are rebelling from transitioning to winter and changing their colors. Still, a lovely and colorful place to wander through.
Sheep Meadow – Autumn 2022
To get there: Enter on 65th/66th street on the west side of the park and walk to the area from the east side entrance.
Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/nooDz2LxP6SYuRRx7
Sheep Meadow is an area of the park that has a wide field, complimented by a wall of tall trees before big buildings appear on the skyline. A great place for a picnic if the weather is good.
Sheep Meadow on November 4th
Today, the foliage at Sheep Meadow is not a highlight. You can see that there are some interesting colors intermixed among a whole lot of green, so this area is not ready for prime time.
Sheep Meadow on November 7th
There are some deep reds and yellows in this view, but we are not yet at peak foliage in my opinion.
Sheep Meadow on November 9th
It’s getting there, but the foliage just isn’t great yet. If the weather is good it is still worth it to hang out here and watch the falling leaves.
Sheep Meadow on November 11th
Sheep’s Meadow did it, it’s pretty! This area is nice for an overview of how the various trees of the park have turned color. Right now, if it’s nice enough to chill out in the park then pull up to Sheeps Meadow and enjoy the view.
Hallett Nature Sanctuary – Autumn 2022
To get there: NOTE: Enter on 59th Street on the east side, then walk to the northmost point of the section, which is the only entrance to this area.
Map Link: https://g.page/hallett-nature-sanctuary?share
Hallett Nature Sanctuary foliage photos by date
Hallett Nature Sanctuary is a special place in the park. The trails have no cement, only dirt and their intention are to protect animals in the area. Which also provides an amazingly quiet, woodsy place to explore the autumn foliage.
Hallett Nature Sanctuary on November 4th
Walking along the twisty trails of this sanctuary, you see a lot of green with a touch of color every now and then. This lookout spot in particular is just starting to peak. You can see that there is still lots of green, but integrated with the green are highlights of yellows and reds.
In a few days, this view will look spectacular.
Hallett Nature Sanctuary foliage photos by date
Hallett Nature Sanctuary on November 7th
While looking out from the picture spot from November 4th you now see only tree bark with no colored leaves; the rest twisty, winding trails in the Sanctuary are starting are really starting to peak! Got out there and go see it.
Hallett Nature Sanctuary foliage photos by date
Hallett Nature Sanctuary on November 9th
Nowhere else in the park have I seen such contrast. In this hidden nook area, the trees are either brightly colored yellow, green or with no leaves left – see the image on the right. It feels like I both missed it and that I came too early to fully enjoy the foliage. But I love this place regardless.
Hallett Nature Sanctuary foliage photos by date
Hallett Nature Sanctuary on November 11th
This hidden area of Central Park is still peaking. It feels a bit odd sometimes as while you’re walking through the area it shifts between being more green in the low areas vs being more colored in the higher areas. But it’s a quiet spot to enjoy the moment either way,.
