Early to mid-October is the best time of year to climb a fire tower. Here's where to start.
If you've never climbed a fire tower, October is the month to try. The leaves peak across the Catskills and Hudson Valley in early to mid-October, and from the cab of a fire tower you can see the color roll out for miles.
The Almanac's fire tower guide covers the region's fire towers and what to expect at each one.
A few tips: go early on weekends, since trailhead parking fills up fast in peak season. Bring a layer, because it's always colder and windier at the top. And check the weather before you go, since you won't want to be on a metal tower in a thunderstorm.
Find the towers here: the fire tower guide.
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