If you’re looking for the best fall foliage destinations in PA, you’re in the right place!
While we’re blessed with literally THOUSANDS of great “leaf peeping” locations in the Keystone State, in this article I’ll share with you 60 of the best fall foliage destinations from across Pennsylvania.
When are the Best Fall Foliage Weeks in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation.
The best weeks to view fall foliage in Pennsylvania varies by year and by region, but based on PA DCNR historical data from the past six years (available on the DCNR website), here are the times you’re most likely to encounter peak fall foliage conditions across the Keystone State in 2023.
Where Are the Best Places to View Fall Foliage in Pennsylvania?
I’ve plotted all 60 fall foliage destinations mentioned in this article on the map below, to make it as easy as possible for you to find and enjoy them.
In addition, I’ll briefly describe all 60 destinations, moving from east to west.
Simply click on the blue text links in each description to view more in-depth information about that particular fall foliage destination.
Fall Foliage Destinations in Eastern PA
1. Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run State Park is a magnificent 15,990-acre recreational area in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains.
Featuring more than 40 miles of hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, unique natural areas, and spectacular scenic overlooks, Hickory Run State Park has a LOT to fall foliage views to offer!
2. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe is consistently ranked as one of the best fall foliage sightseeing excursions in the northeastern United States.
Departing from the historic train station in downtown Jim Thorpe, the fall foliage excursion winds its way north into Lehigh Gorge State Park, before returning on the same track.
3. Tank Hollow Overlook
Tank Hollow Overlook in Carbon County offers visitors a stunning view of a horseshoe bend in the Lehigh River in the western Poconos.
4. Hawk Falls
Hawk Falls is a super-popular fall foliage destination in the Poconos, due to the ease of access and sheer natural beauty of the waterfall.
5. Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park
Buttermilk Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is a cascading waterfall along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, 1/4 mile north of the Rockport Access to the park and rail trail.
6. Luke’s Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park
Luke’s Falls at Lehigh Gorge State Park is an easy 1/4 mile hike/bike ride south of the Rockport Access along the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail.
7. The Mount Pisgah Trail
The Mount Pisgah Trail in Jim Thorpe is a steep but easy-to-follow trail leading up Mount Pisgah to a pair of fantastic Carbon County vistas.
8. Jim Thorpe
The annual Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival takes place the first four weekends of October in 2022!
October is a fantastic time to visit the “Switzerland of America”, known as such because of the town’s historic architecture and idyllic mountain views.
9. Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg
The Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg is some of the most historic and hallowed ground in Pennsylvania.
At a ceremony dedicating the newly-created cemetery on November 19, 1863 (4 months after the Battle of Gettysburg), President Abraham Lincoln delivered what is considered to be one of the most iconic speeches in American history, what later became known as the “Gettysburg Address”.
10. Ricketts Glen State Park
The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park in Luzerne County is the most famous waterfall hike in Pennsylvania!
21 named waterfalls make up this loop hike of epic proportions.
Fall Foliage Destinations in Central PA
11. Worlds End State Park
Worlds End State Park is a 780 acre oasis of gorgeous fall foliage in the heart of Sullivan County.
12. Dry Run Falls
Dry Run Falls is one of the most picturesque roadside waterfalls in the Loyalsock State Forest.
13. State Game Lands 13
State Game Lands 13 in Sullivan and Columbia counties is often referred to as the “Waterfall Wonderland” of Pennsylvania, and with good reason.
It is home to a vast array of magnificent streams and waterfalls, some of them well-known to hikers and photographers, others tucked away in rarely-visited nooks and crannies of the forest.
14. High Knob Overlook
High Knob Overlook in Sullivan County is one of the most spectacular roadside scenic vistas in all of Pennsylvania.
15. Ole Bull State Park
Ole Bull State Park is a 132-acre Pennsylvania state park in Potter County, named in honor of Ole Bornemann Bull, a famous Norwegian violinist who toured the United States in the 1850s.
Five miles of hiking trails are available at the park, including the Castle Vista Trail, one of the most popular hikes at the park.
16. Lyman Run State Park
Lyman Run State Park is a fantastic spot for fall foliage viewing in northcentral Pennsylvania!
If you’re unfamiliar with this 595-acre park, it’s located in northern Potter County, just west of the PA Grand Canyon.
17. Denton Hill State Park
The Abandoned Ski Resort at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County is quite possibly the most unique fall foliage destination in all of northcentral PA!
Last operated in 2014, the ski resort may be abandoned, but the state park is still open to visitors.
18. Colton Point State Park
Colton Point State Park encompasses 368-acres on the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County.
Perhaps best known for its magnificent views of the PA Grand Canyon, it is also home to a rugged waterfall trail that mirrors a similar trail on the opposite side of Pine Creek.
19. Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park in Tioga County forms part of the eastern rim of the PA Grand Canyon.
Aside from the views of the canyon itself, the most popular activity here is hiking the Turkey Path from the rim of the canyon to Pine Creek some 750 feet below.
20. The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum features a beautiful blend of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits related to one of the most important industries in the state in the 19th century.
Situated along historic Route 6 in the mountains of Potter County, the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum helps visitors understand the history of the lumbering industry in the Keystone State, from the arrival of the first Europeans to the present day.
21. Wellsboro
Wellsboro is one of the most popular tourist towns in the PA Grand Canyon, and thousands of visitors flock there every October to view the fall foliage displays in its historic downtown.
Virtually every block of downtown Wellsboro is a postcard-perfect scene when the leaves start to change in early October.
22. Amphitheater Falls
Amphitheater Falls in Tioga County features an enormous amphitheater of rock (thus the name) surrounding a 45 foot-tall waterfall near Tiadaghton.
23. Sinnemahoning State Park
Sinnemahoning State Park encompasses 1,910 acres of magnificent scenery and outstanding wildlife habitat, and stretches from Cameron County in the south to Potter County in the north.
The views from Stevenson Dam Overlook at Sinnemahoning State Park never disappoint in the fall!
24. Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park is a remarkable 1,793 acre oasis surrounded by the Sproul State Forest in Clinton County.
At the heart of the park lies Kettle Creek Reservoir, a 167 acre / 2.2 mile-long lake formed by the construction of the Alvin Bush Dam as a flood control project and completed in 1962.
25. Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Park in Clinton County offers up some of the most famous fall foliage views in central PA, high above the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
26. Ridge Road
Ridge Road in Cameron County is home to six scenic roadside vistas along a three mile stretch of road!
27. The Quehanna Wild Area
The Quehanna Wild Area is one of the largest unpopulated areas in Pennsylvania, perfect for those looking for “socially-distanced” fall foliage views in PA!
And while the area is truly wild and remote, there are some great fall foliage views to be had very close to the “civilized” roads that pass through Quehanna.
In fact, some of the views don’t require you to leave the car at all!
28. RB Winter State Park
RB Winter State Park is a 695 acre recreational area located in western Union County.
The park lies in a shallow basin, completely surrounded by the rocky ridges of the Bald Eagle State Forest.
29. Black Moshannon State Park
Black Moshannon State Park is comprised of 3,394 acres of forests and wetlands in Centre County, and is further surrounded by 43,000 acres of the Moshannon State Forest.
At the heart of the park is the 250 acre Black Moshannon Lake, a fantastic spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and leaf-peeping.
30. Bald Eagle State Park
Bald Eagle State Park is home to Foster Joseph Sayers Lake, a 1,730 acre lake that provides the perfect setting for gorgeous fall foliage views.
31. Whipple Dam State Park
At the heart of the Whipple Dam State Park is 22 acre Whipple Lake, constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, now a popular spot for boating, swimming, fishing, and fall foliage views.
32. Greenwood Furnace State Park
Greenwood Furnace State Park is a 423 acre recreational paradise in the mountains of Huntingdon County.
It includes a six-acre lake, remnants of a ghost town and iron furnaces, and is surrounded by an 80,000-acre block of the Rothrock State Forest.
33. The Horseshoe Curve
The Horseshoe Curve near Altoona is a must-see destination for train-lovers of all ages!
Considered one of the “engineering wonders of the world” at the time of its completion in 1854, it continues to offer railfans an up-close opportunity to experience the thrill of trains passing by along this 2,375 foot-long curved stretch of tracks.
34. Chimney Rocks Park
Chimney Rocks Park near Hollidaysburg in Blair County is home to 3 impressive scenic overlooks in a beautiful borough park setting.
35. Canoe Creek State Park
Canoe Creek State Park is a 911 acre recreational area 12 miles east of Altoona in Blair County.
The remnants of kilns once owned by the Blair Limestone Company stand silently in the park today as a reminder of the industrial past of this part of Blair County.
36. Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park is a spectacular 541-acre gorge formed by Great Trough Creek as it slices through Terrace Mountain on its way towards Raystown Lake.
One of the most iconic symbols of Trough Creek State Park is Rainbow Falls.
37. Hawn’s Overlook
Hawn’s Overlook is perched high above Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County.
38. Prince Gallitzin State Park
Prince Gallitzin State Park is a 6,249-acre recreational area in Cambria County.
At the heart of the park you’ll find 1,635-acre Glendale Lake, with 26 miles of shoreline.
39. Parker Dam State Park
Parker Dam State Park is a 968-acre expanse in Clearfield County featuring a tranquil lake, a beach area, scenic vistas, and miles of hiking trails.
Parker Lake is a 20-acre man made lake in the heart of the park, created by the damming of Laurel Run.
40. Cowans Gap State Park
Cowans Gap State Park is a fantastic 1,085 acre park located in Fulton County (with a small portion extending into neighboring Franklin County as well).
The park is situated in Allens Valley, between Cove Mountain to the west and Tuscarora Mountain to the east.
Fall Foliage Destinations in Western PA
41. Kinzua Bridge State Park
Kinzua Bridge State Park is home to what was once the longest and tallest railway bridge in the entire world – The Kinzua Viaduct.
The bridge was partially destroyed by a tornado, but reborn as the 600-foot long, 225 foot-tall Kinzua Skywalk.
42. Jakes Rocks
Jakes Rocks is a series of overlooks located in the Warren County portion of the Allegheny National Forest.
This popular picnic area and hiking/mountain biking area overlooks the Allegheny Reservoir.
43. Rimrock Overlook
Rimrock Overlook in Warren County offers visitors outstanding views of Kinzua Bay and the Allegheny National Forest which surrounds it.
44. The Marilla Bridges Trail
The Marilla Bridges Trail is a gorgeous 1-mile loop trail around the Marilla Reservoir near Bradford, just a few minutes south of the Pennsylvania/New York border.
45. Cook Forest State Park
Cook Forest State Park covers an 8,500-acre expanse across portions of Clarion, Jefferson, and Forest counties in northwestern PA.
Seneca Point at the park is a rock outcropping that serves as a scenic overlook high above the Clarion River valley.
Located just a short hike from the park office along Route 36, the Swinging Bridge at Cook Forest State Park is one of the most popular attractions at the park.
46. Clear Creek State Park
Clear Creek State Park spans 1,901 acres in Jefferson County.
The park occupies a scenic portion of the Clear Creek Valley, a tributary of the nearby Clarion River.
47. Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Hill State Park is comprised of 4,062 acres of mountainous, wooded terrain in central Somerset County.
At the heart of the park is the 63 acre Laurel Hill Lake, a fantastic spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and fall foliage viewing.
Jones Mill Run Dam, one of the most photogenic spots at Laurel Hill State Park, is particularly outstanding in the fall.
48. Kooser State Park
Kooser State Park occupies 250 wooded acres along Route 31 in Somerset County.
49. The Covered Bridges of Somerset County
Exploring the Covered Bridges of Somerset County introduces you to a driving tour of the county’s 10 historic covered bridges in all their autumn glory.
People travel from all over the United States to experience this covered bridge driving tour in Somerset County every October.
50. Beam Rocks Overlook
Beam Rocks Overlook is one of the most scenic mountain vistas in the Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania!
51. Mount Davis
Mount Davis is the highest point in Pennsylvania, at 3,213 feet above sea level, making it the highest fall foliage destination in PA as well!
There are several overlooks near the summit of Mount Davis; the Camp Buckey Overlook is my favorite in the fall.
52. The Flight 93 National Memorial
The Flight 93 National Memorial is a tribute to the bravery, service, and sacrifice of the 40 passengers and crew members of United Flight 93, who fought one of the first battles in the war against radical Islamic terrorists in the skies over western Pennsylvania on 9/11/2001.
53. Forbes State Forest
The Forbes State Forest in the Laurel Highlands is another perennial favorite fall foliage destination of mine.
Cole Run Falls looks great just about any day in October, even if the flow is a bit low.
Wolf Rocks Overlook is another great fall foliage hike in the Forbes State Forest, especially on a misty mountain morning in late October.
54. The Big Savage Tunnel
A tunnel may seem like an odd choice for a fall foliage destination, but you won’t be disappointed by a visit to the Big Savage Tunnel in Somerset County!
The fall foliage around both entrances, as well as the scenic overlook near the southern end of the 0.6 mile-long tunnel, are simply outstanding in October!
55. Linn Run State Park
Linn Run State Park is a 612 acre park in Westmoreland County, popular with hikers, campers, and picnickers.
There are 6.25 miles of hiking trails at Linn Run State Park, some of which follow the grades of long-gone logging railroads.
56. Mill Creek Falls
Mill Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall on a small mountain stream on State Game Lands 42 in Westmoreland County.
57. Keystone State Park
The 1,200-acre Keystone State Park is a great place for day-trips and fall foliage viewing in Westmoreland County.
Featuring a beautiful 78 acre lake as its centerpiece, Keystone State Park provides an ideal setting for camping, wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, and leaf peeping.
58.The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
The 70-mile long Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail stretches from Ohiopyle State Park in the south to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown in the north.
Laurel Run Overlook is one of several exceptional scenic vistas along the Fayette County portion of the trail.
59. Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County may offer the most extensive and diverse fall foliage viewing opportunities of any state park in Pennsylvania.
My personal favorite western PA fall foliage destination, Ohiopyle State Park produces a magnificent display of colors year in and year out.
The namesake Ohiopyle Falls are an outstanding place to create beautiful autumn photos.
While Baughman Rock Overlook is the perfect place to catch an October sunrise.
60. McConnell’s Mill State Park
40 miles north of Pittsburgh you’ll find breathtaking fall foliage at McConnell’s Mill State Park in Lawrence County.
McConnell’s Mill Covered Bridge is a particularly popular spot for “leaf peepers.”
Cleland Rock Scenic Vista is another exceptional fall foliage spot here, looking out over the Slippery Rock Gorge, which forms the heart of McConnell’s Mill State Park.
So there you have it – 60 fabulous fall foliage destinations in PA!
Now get out there and enjoy the vibrant tapestry of colors that Pennsylvania has to offer this fall foliage season!
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