Peak peeping
Laurel Highlands again ranked as a top destination for fall colors
Leaf peepers will be given a new tool to plan their autumn sojourns throughout Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is launching a redesigned weekly fall foliage report on Sept. 25. It will feature regional updates, photos and tips to help people experience Pennsylvania’s seasonal landscapes.
The report will be posted every Thursday during peak foliage season. To access, visit pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/conservation and click on the forests and trees tab.
“Whether you’re camping in one of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks, hiking through our 2.2 million acres of state forests or taking a scenic drive, fall is one of the best times to experience the outdoors,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, DCNR secretary. “This new report will give people the tools they need to plan trips and discover new activities across the commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the country. In fact, Eastern Northern America is one of only three regions in the world that supports deciduous forests that display autumn color.
It makes for breathtaking scenery for all who traverse Pennsylvania in the fall.
For most of the nation, peak fall color arrives in October, with Pennsylvania typically at its peak late in the month, although the leaves are starting to change colors already.
“You see a lot of it on the roadway,” said Eric Knopsnyder, public relations director for Go Laurel Highlands. “You’re starting to see some pops of color, but as you get deeper into the forest, you don’t see it as much; it’s still green. What I’m hearing at some of the highest elevations is that maybe the first week of October for peak fall foliage. It will be a little deeper into the month as you get into the lower elevations.”
The Laurel Highlands offers a prime viewing spot, as evidenced by the annual accolades the area receives. The Laurel Highlands finished fourth in recent nationwide fall foliage voting in USA Today’s 10 Best Destinations for Fall Colors in the Readers Choice Awards.
“Autumn colors peak in this region of the Allegheny Mountains around mid-October, making for a stunning show,” according to the USA Today article. “The plethora of hiking and biking trails, including a portion of the Great Allegheny Passage, means it’s easy to explore the highlands during the height of the season. Several fall festivals add to the welcoming vibes in this region each October.”
Samantha Brown, host of travel shows on the Travel Channel and PBS, recently named the Laurel Highlands one of “7 of the Coziest Autumn Getaways to Book Now.”
“The fall foliage here is routinely ranked as one of the best, if not the best, in the nation,” Knopsnyder said. “It’s phenomenal, the press that we’re getting for our fall foliage, and it’s well deserved.”
Among the prime fall foliage spots throughout the Laurel Highlands is Mount Davis in Somerset County, the highest point in Pennsylvania.
Closer to home, Ohiopyle’s Bachman Rock is highly recommended.
“The Bachman Rock Overlook is a phenomenal vantage point to be able to see down into the Youghiogheny River Valley and see all the trees there,” Knopsnyder said. “Beam’s Rock in Somerset County is a short hike to a phenomenal overlook. You can have the best fall foliage in the world, but if it’s on a flat plane and you can’t see it, you’re not going to be able to enjoy it. The thing about the Laurel Highlands, all the edge tops and valleys really allow you to see the fall foliage in all of its glory.”
Washington County also has a number of places to take in the foliage.
“Mingo Creek County Park is probably at the top of that list,” said Chase McClain, director of marketing for the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. “Cross Creek County Park is just beautiful. The leaves aren’t turning yet, but that place is gorgeous. It’s hard to pass on either of the two trails – Montour Trail or Panhandle Trail.” One spot in particular, McClain said, is where the two trails meet. “There’s a viaduct that goes 100 feet in the air; there’s a pretty nice view from there.”
Greene County also offers numerous locations to view foliage, such as Ryerson Station State Park and the Greene River Trail’s Rices Landing Trailhead.
“Just driving the country roads and looking at the covered bridges (makes for a picturesque view),” said Joanne Marshall, director of Greene County tourism.
Marshall said the recent span of cooler nights should result in an earlier peak season for the fall foliage.
“Some of the earlier maple trees have started to turn,” she said. “We should see peak color a little earlier this year because of the weather. Instead of mid-October, it’s looking like early October.”
Fall is a major driver of Pennsylvania’s tourism industry, generating $83.9 billion, supporting more than 514,000 jobs and welcoming 201.6 million visitors in 2024, according to a new Pennsylvania Tourism Office report.
“Pennsylvania’s fall foliage sets the standard for Autumn in America,” said Anne Ryan, deputy secretary for tourism at DCED. “From hayrides and pumpkin patches to scenic train rides and campfires in the mountains, every year millions of visitors come to enjoy our landscapes and seasonal traditions – reminding us why Pennsylvania is one of the nation’s top fall destinations.”