Fall is when leaf peepers emerge and tour the commonwealth to capture the vibrant colors of autumn. From planning a getaway to the #1 destination for fall foliage in Bucks County to soaring over the Allegheny National Forest in an open cockpit biplane, there are many ways to take in the colorful foliage during the commonwealth’s most beautiful season. Check out our weekly Fall Foliage Report and start planning your getaway.
- Northern Zone: Peaks in early October
- Central Zone: Peaks in mid-October
- Southern Zone: Peaks in late October
NORTHERN ZONE
Allegheny National Forest
Bradford
Scenic drives through the hardwoods of Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren counties in northern Pennsylvania provide spectacular fall foliage touring. In the Allegheny National Forest, visitors can hike hundreds of acres of trail ways ranging from short birding trails to the challenging North Country Trail. Throughout, the Allegheny National Forest offers a variety of scenic vistas, mountains, brilliant colors, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
For a unique way to experience the awe-inspiring views of the Allegheny National Forest, visit the Kinzua Skywalk. Recognized as “One of the World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks and Viewpoints in the World” by Culture Trip, U.K, the skywalk extends out 624 feet into the Kinzua George or float along the Allegheny River by boat, kayak, or canoe and sightsee along 107 miles of water trails.
Pine Creek Gorge
Wellsboro
Almost 50 miles long and 1,450 feet deep, Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, features a brilliant fall display of deep reds, yellows, and purples in early October. Some of the best fall views of the canyon can be found at Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Park.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
The historic Pine Creek Rail Trail is a gem of the Pine Creek Gorge and offers a tremendous way to view fall foliage. Voted by USA Today as one of the "10 great places to take a bike tour," this 62-mile plus long trail travels through the gorge for an up-close and personal look at foliage for hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
Ricketts Glen State Park and Worlds End State Park
Benton
At Worlds End State Park, it's easy to see why the area is known as the "Endless Mountains." This park boasts more than 20 miles of trails (plus even more in the surrounding state forest) and several scenic overlooks to view fall foliage surrounding the Loyalsock Creek below.
Located at the top of Red Rock Mountain, Ricketts Glen State Park is usually one of the first places in the Endless Mountains to show its fall colors. The famous, yet challenging, Falls Trail is always a favorite, featuring 21 named waterfalls with fall foliage as the perfect backdrop. You can also picnic beside Lake Jean, take a scenic fall paddle, or try the 1.9-mile Laurel View Trail, for an easier, family-friendly option that explores the park's unique mountaintop habitat and offers a nearly 40-mile view.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Worlds End State Park’s most iconic overlook is the Loyalsock Canyon Vista,which showcases the picturesque park and the vast state forest beyond. You can reach it by hiking the four-mile Canyon Vista Trail or by driving up Mineral Spring and Cold Run Roads.
CENTRAL ZONE
Big Pocono State Park
Tannersville
Big Pocono State Park spans 1,306 acres of scenic views from the summit and slopes of Camelback Mountain. A paved, 1.4-mile, ADA-accessible drive encircles the mountaintop, providing magnificent views of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. However, the best place for viewing foliage is at the park’s summit, where a scenic overlook offers views for miles of the popular Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and beyond.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Other ways to take in the Pocono Mountains’ award-winning fall foliage: climb aboard the Pocono Foliage Express (Stourbridge Line in Honesdale) or the Autumn Leaf Train Excursion (Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe), fly high in the sky on an air tour with Moyer Aviation or Pocono Helitours, drive through the fall foliage in style with Pocono Slingshot Rentals, or take a scenic chairlift ride to view the vibrant foliage from Blue Mountain Resort.
Keystone State Park
Derry
Named the best fall foliage destination in the country by USA Today readers in 2023, Keystone State Park features eight miles of hiking trails, including an ADA-accessible flat path around Keystone Lake. In addition to being popular with anglers, the 78-acre lake supports kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Be sure to take in a sunset at the park to watch as the colors of fall in PA and dusk merge.
McConnells Mill State Park
Portersville
A visit to McConnells Mill State Park during the peak of the fall foliage season is breathtaking. Drive through the McConnells Mill Covered Bridge (a registered National Historic Landmark), stop for a tour of the historic gristmill and picnic at one of the two designated picnic areas. Enjoy a hike to one of the many waterfalls inside the park for spectacular autumn views.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Check out Cleland Rock Overlook for a spectacular view of the many-colored leaves and a bird’s-eye view of Slippery Rock Gorge.
Moraine State Park
Portersville
Moraine State Park provides a multitude of opportunities to admire Pennsylvania's stunning fall colors. Whether you're entering the park or exploring their biking and hiking paths, you'll be surrounded by autumn’s rich colors at every turn.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Take a Fall Foliage Cruise on the Preston Pearl, a pontoon tour boat where passengers get a breath-taking view of the trees and nature surrounding Lake Arthur. Expert tour guides will take you through the park's history and help you to identify wildlife every weekend in September and October
Forbes State Forest
Markleton
Pennsylvania’s highest point provides one of the state’s best spots for viewing fall foliage. Located 3,213 feet above sea level in Forbes State Forest, Mount Davis has several eye-catching overlooks, including Baughman Rocks, Camp Buckey, and High Point Lake.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Climb the Observation Tower to take your fall foliage vantage point to new heights.
Great Allegheny Passage
Pittsburgh
Incredible fall foliage combined with some of the best outdoor recreation in the state – from whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River to cycling on the Great Allegheny Passage to backpacking the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail – makes Ohiopyle State Park a must-see autumn attraction. There’s perhaps nowhere better to experience autumn colors than on a biking excursion along the Great Allegheny Passage. As one of the longest rail-trails in the east, the Laurel Highlands’ section of the Great Allegheny Passage is filled with scenic overlooks, viaducts, and plenty of spectacular foliage. Want an easy-to-reach vantage point for great fall photos? Check out Baughman’s Rock Overlook, the Ohiopyle High Bridge, and Cucumber Falls.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Not far away, visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater for stunning fall vistas. Fallingwater, known as one of the most influential houses of the 20th century, stretches over a 30-foot waterfall and offers spectacular views with its unique angles and large windows. In 2019, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way there, take the route less traveled and witness the colors of autumn as you weave through the rolling hills on a relaxing fall drive, complete with stops at quaint towns, scenic state parks, and can’t miss restaurants.
Oil Creek State Park
Oil City
Oil Creek State Park, situated in the heart of the Oil Heritage Region known as the birthplace of the first commercially successful oil well, is home to beautiful waterfalls and 52 miles of scenic hiking trails, making it a prime location to experience bright shades of yellow, red, and orange lining deep hollows, steep hillsides, and wetlands.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Bike along the shores of historic Oil Creek. Oil Creek Bike Trail stretches nearly 10 miles from the Drake Well Museum to the Petroleum Centre. Cruise along historic sites while embracing the many waterfalls surrounded by vivid fall colors.
Presque Isle State Park
Erie
Flanked by Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park displays stunning autumn colors. Discover the magnificence of this 3,200-acre peninsula as it curls into the lake, offering a wide variety of fall experiences. Home to more than 4 million visitors each year, Presque Isle offers the leisurely 13-mile Karl Boyes Multi-purpose National Recreation Trail for walkers and bicyclists interested in leaf sightseeing along the Bay. The best places for memorable photo opportunities are at the Presque Isle Lighthouse, Perry Monument, “The Feather” bird observatory platform, and anywhere along Pennsylvania’s only shoreline.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
For an offshore foliage experience, take advantage of the “Lady Kate,” a 65-foot Great Lakes vessel that ventures out onto the waters of Lake Erie on weekends in September for a narrated 90-minute tour and an incredible view of the shoreline. Riders can relax while learning about the area’s ecology, lighthouses, history, and nature with the boat’s knowledgeable guide.
Rothrock State Forest
State College
In the heart of central PA, the parks and vistas that encompass Rothrock State Forest provide dramatic foliage areas that can be accessed in a variety of ways. Mountain bike along the trails surrounding the majestic Seven Mountains area, hike numerous trails throughout the forest, or explore from the lowest points from a boat on Raystown Lake. All offer grand foliage viewing experiences.
As you reach the platform at Stone Mountain Hawk Watch, be prepared to be awed by panoramic views: Big Valley's vibrant tapestry of fall colors to the east, the dense, rugged beauty of Rothrock State Forest to the west, and the winding path of the Standing Stone Trail to the south. Whether you're an avid bird watcher or simply seeking a tranquil spot to enjoy the season's splendor, Stone Mountain Hawk Watch promises an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
For a truly spectacular (and easily accessible) scenic viewpoint in Rothrock, visit the overlook atop Tussey Mountain along PA Route 26 at the Centre/Huntingdon County line. The view provides a picturesque vantage point of State College area and the surrounding townships of Centre County.
Extend your hike from the Stone Mountain Hawk Watch to Sausser's Stone pile to experience an incredible rock formation with a scenic overlook offering 180-degree views of Rothrock State Forest. Plus, you won’t miss the stacked-stone feature, "Indian Outlook,"
Jack's Mountain Overlook
Belleville and McVeytown
Perched atop the unique fold mountain structure of Jack's Mountain, the Jack's Mountain Overlook offers an unparalleled experience for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The overlook boasts breathtaking dual views of the serene Big Valley and Ferguson Valley, offering a picturesque panorama that changes with the seasons and stunning foliage. See the vibrant fall colors create a mesmerizing tapestry across the Mill Creek landscape.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
During the fall months, the Jack's Mountain Hawk Watch volunteer group mans the overlook to count the migratory birds. These dedicated volunteers are more than willing to help you view and identify the birds flying above, enriching your bird-watching experience.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Pittsburgh
Take in the views of the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline and the picturesque countryside that display incredible colors every autumn along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail with its Interpretive Signage Guide. Pittsburgh's dramatic landscape and history are portrayed in dozens of signs located along the riverfronts.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
While in Pittsburgh, don’t miss a ride on the Duquesne or Monongahela Inclines to see the views from atop Mount Washington. Providing observation decks that overlook the city and its countryside, this 400-foot hill is an excellent vantage point for foliage against the urban backdrop.
SOUTHERN ZONE
Fairmount Park
Philadelphia
Admire breathtaking foliage in the 2,000-acre outdoor playground that is Fairmount Park, one of the largest city-owned urban park systems in the world. Start at the historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, a replica of a traditional 17th-century Japanese home. Then, head to the Horticulture Center and explore the vast outdoors or learn more in the center’s greenhouse. Or venture to Morris Arboretum & Gardens, a nearly 100-acre property home to some of the city’s oldest and rarest trees.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Go for a walk or run along Kelly Drive to take in even more fall foliage, with trees lining the trails along the Schuylkill River.
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg
Gettysburg National Military Park is a must-see for any fall excursion, providing the perfect, scenic backdrop for visitors experiencing this historic battlefield. Explore the sights and sounds of battlefield reenactments, monuments, memorials, and true history. Gettysburg offers guests a glimpse into our nation’s past and provides optimal trekking treasures in the fall.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Tour the battlefield on horseback for a unique look at the autumn trees with guided tours from Hickory Hollow Horse Farm. Visitors can enjoy one to two-hour guided trail rides through the battlefield grounds complete with knowledgeable guides to point out little-known facts and tucked away scenic spots that can only be found on horseback.
Covered Bridges in Bucks County
Bucks County, which was recently named the “#1 Fall Foliage Destination in the U.S.” by Priceline, offers many wonderful ways to enjoy autumn’s splendor. On the Covered Bridge Driving Tour, discover seven historic architectural masterpieces as you travel through farmland pastures and rolling hills amongst vibrant fall foliage.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Expand the rural charm through towns, such as Carmichaels and Rices Landing. Enjoy the colors of fall in PA as you drive on paved roads and country gravel roads on the hillside.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing
In 1776, General George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River in the frigid cold of winter. At that site today is Washington Crossing Historic Park, an interpretive center that not only tells the story of Washington’s famous crossing but also preserves the early 19th century history of Taylorsville, where the crossing of the Delaware occurred. With historic sites, wildflower areas, and nature trails, it’s also an excellent place to discover the October foliage of suburban Philadelphia.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
Bowman’s Hill Tower at the Washington Crossing Historic Park is 125 feet tall and offers a 14-mile view of scenic Bucks County. Guests are sure to enjoy this excellent “bird’s-eye view” atop a grand observation tower that offers an expansive view of the Delaware River area and the foliage surrounding the region during peak season.
York County Heritage Rail Trail
York County
Immerse yourself in colorful fall foliage along the York County Heritage Rail Trail, where you can walk, hike or bike along a 30-mile route stretching from the Mason-Dixon Line to Downtown York and then north to Rudy Park to take in the stunning colors of autumn.
Fall Foliage Insider’s Tip
For a unique leaf-peeping experience, hop aboard Northern Central Railway of York for an excursion that runs along the same rails that President Lincoln rode on his way to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Book an overnight stay at the Jackson House, a classic 1859 bed & breakfast located right along the Rail Trail in southern York County.
To see a full list of the fall foliage locations in PA, check out visitpa.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok to stay up-to-date on even more great trip ideas and places to visit around the state.