Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Pennsylvania Like Never Before
Autumn’s rustic colors are splashed across the landscape like an artist’s masterpiece, making it the ideal time for a road trip. Pack your bags because this autumn road trip will take you across the state to see some of the most beautiful and best fall foliage in Pennsylvania.
Before hitting the road, map the directions by plugging in your starting point here.
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There's no better way to kick off the fall season than to hit the open road on an epic fall foliage road trip across Pennsylvania. Add stops to the itinerary. Delete stops. Use the itinerary as inspiration to create your own road trip. Whatever you do, have fun!
Start your road trip in Presque Isle State Park where you can climb aboard a horse drawn wagon or a hayride for an unforgettable journey that will provide you with spectacular views of the fall colors in Pennsylvania. Pack your hiking boots because you might also want to hit the hiking trails to get another view of the fall foliage in Erie.
Address: 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA, 16505
Conquer your fear of heights from the Skywalk at Kinzua Bridge State Park. Walk to the end of the skywalk for a sweeping view of the leaves changing color in Pennsylvania. Then, if you dare, stand on the glass to look straight down at the colorful palette below.
Address: 296 Viaduct Road, Mt Jewett, PA, 16740
No fall foliage road trip in Pennsylvania would be complete without a stop at Pine Creek Gorge - the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania - in Wellsboro. Get unforgettable views of the gorge from scenic vistas in either Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park. But, don't just settle for a view of the fall foliage from above. Head to the bottom of the canyon for more spectacular views.
Address: 4797 PA-660, Wellsboro, PA, 16901
Drink in the stunning views of the Pocono Mountains on the next stop of this fall foliage road trip that will take you along Route 507 near Lake Wallenpaupak. Discover plenty of things to do in fall in this Pennsylvania town. Spend a day or two in town so you can join a walking tour or embark on one of the hiking trails at Big Pocono State Park.
Address: 980 Camelback Road, Tannersville, PA, 18372
Breathe in the brisk autumn air on your next stop at Lehigh Gorge State Park, a 6,100-acre state park that offers hiking and biking trails - both perfect ways to view the fall colors in Pennsylvania. Hit the 26-mile Lehigh Gorge Trail, which will take you past waterfalls and along the Lehigh River. The nearby Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway also offers fall foliage train trips.
Address: 1 Susquehanna Street, Jim Thorpe, PA, 18229
Capture stunning photographs of the fall foliage at the 500-acre Washington Crossing Historic Park. For the best views of Bucks County and the Delaware River in all of its autumn glory, climb to the top of the 125-foot Bowman's Hill Tower. The tower is open daily, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the tower is $7 per person as of August 2019.
Address: 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA, 18977
Lancaster County takes center stage on the next stop of this epic road trip. The rolling Amish farmland painted in autumn's colors creates a stunning masterpiece of the leaves changing color in Pennsylvania. Simply take a drive through the Lancaster countryside or head to Susquehannock State Park's Pinnacle Overlook for sweeping views of the fall foliage and the Susquehanna River.
Address: 1880 Park Drive, Drumore, PA, 17518
History whispers throughout Gettysburg National Military Park, said to be haunted by the spirits of some of the 51,000 men who died there in the Battle of Gettysburg. Rent a horse from a local business for a unique way to view the fall foliage in Gettysburg. Or, simply embark on a walking tour of the battlefield.
Address: 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA, 17325
End your epic road trip at Ohiopyle State Park in Western Pennsylvania, a sprawling state park that stretches across more than 20,000 acres. Hit one of the hiking, biking, or horseback riding trails for unique views of the fall foliage that will include unparalleled views of two waterfalls: Ohiopyle Falls and Cucumber Falls.
Address: 124 Main Street, Ohiopyle, PA, 15470
Embark on this road trip to the best fall foliage in Pennsylvania then, if you want someone else to do the driving for a change of pace, climb aboard this train for a one-of-a-kind fall experience.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Fall Foliage In Pennsylvania
August 08, 2019
Beth Price-Williams
What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Pennsylvania?
Fall colors in Pennsylvania last longer than just about anywhere else in the United States. Pennsylvania’s varied terrain, in fact, boasts more than 134 different types of trees, promising some of the best fall foliage in the country. Peak fall foliage in Pennsylvania usually occurs around mid-October. However, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the Pennsylvania landscape drenched in the vibrant colors of fall leading up to the peak fall foliage.
Where are the best places in Pennsylvania to see fall foliage?
You’ll discover countless places to view the fall colors in Pennsylvania. One of the top places, arguably, to see the fall foliage in Pennsylvania is Leonard Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park, both of which offer sweeping views of Pine Creek Gorge. Drive through Allegheny National Forest for more spectacular fall colors; and watch the elk roam against the backdrop of sensational fall foliage in Benezette. Other popular spots to see the best fall colors in Pennsylvania include Cherry Springs State Park, Mount Davis, and Kinzua Bridge State Park.
What are the best Pennsylvania hikes to take in the fall?
Fall’s the perfect time to go hiking in Pennsylvania. Embark on Lakeside Trail at Hills Creek State Park in Tioga County, Double Run Nature Trail at Worlds End State Park in Forksville, or Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park in Wellsboro for sensational views of the Pennsylvania fall foliage.
If you can’t hike to see the fall colors, consider boarding one the of the fall foliage trains in Pennsylvania. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad in Titusville, and Everett Railroad in Hollidaysburg all offer memorable fall train rides.
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