If you’re looking for the best fall foliage destinations in the PA Laurel Highlands, you’re in the right place!
The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, comprised of Somerset, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties, are Heaven on Earth for fall foliage lovers.
In fact, USA Today has ranked the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania the third best place in the entire United States for spectacular fall foliage views.
Typically the second two weeks in October are the best weeks for viewing fall foliage in the PA Laurel Highlands.
What follows are my hand-picked selections for 26 of the best fall foliage destinations in the Laurel Highlands!
To make it as easy as possible for you to find and enjoy them, I’ve plotted all 26 fall foliage destinations mentioned in this article on the map below.
Simply click on the blue text links on the map above or in the descriptions below to view more in-depth information about each particular fall foliage destination.
1. Ohiopyle Falls
Ohiopyle Falls is the namesake waterfall at one of the Laurel Highlands best state parks for fall foliage viewing!
Sometimes referred to as the “Niagara Falls of Western Pennsylvania”, it’s a great place to view fall foliage at Ohiopyle State Park.
2. Fort Ligonier
You might not think of a fort as a traditional fall foliage destination, but the autumn leaves at Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County are spectacular!
Aside from leaf peeping, Fort Ligonier is an excellent place to learn about early American life in this one-time frontier region of Pennsylvania.
3. Beam Rocks Overlook
Beam Rocks Overlook is a quick 10 minute hike from Laurel Summit Road in Somerset County to a sweeping vantage point in the Forbes State Forest.
180 degree views and a sea of fall foliage await you at Beam Rocks Overlook!
4. Barronvale Covered Bridge
The Barronvale Covered Bridge isn’t just the longest covered bridge in Somerset County.
It’s also a superb fall foliage destination in the Laurel Highlands!
5. Cole Run Falls
Cole Run Falls is a popular roadside waterfall in the Somerset County portion of the Forbes State Forest.
It’s also an impressive spot to view the famous fall foliage of the Laurel Highlands.
6. 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 scenery around the northern entrance and from the scenic overlook near the southern end of the 0.6 mile-long Big Savage Tunnel are outstanding in October!
7. Laurel Hill State Park
Laurel Hill State Park is a 4,000 acre gem in Somerset County, with the Jones Mill Run Dam being a perennial favorite destination for fall foliage enthusiasts.
Copper Kettle Trail is another great hiking/biking trail at Laurel Hill State Park, with an abundance of fall foliage everywhere you look.
And Laurel Hill Lake casts perfect reflections of the fall foliage on its calm surface in the shallow areas of the lake.
8. Pack Saddle Covered Bridge
Quite possibly the most famous covered bridge in Pennsylvania, the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge is a must-see when viewing fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands!
This iconic symbol of Somerset County, the Pack Saddle Bridge is a one of a kind fall foliage destination in the Laurel Highands.
9. Wolf Rocks Overlook
The commanding views of Westmoreland County make Wolf Rocks Overlook an impressive destination any time of year, but even more so in October!
One of the most impressive scenic overlooks in the Laurel Highlands, Wolf Rocks is an outstanding hike with some serious wow factor at the end.
10. Cucumber Falls
One of the most photogenic (and photographed) waterfalls in western Pennsylvania, Cucumber Falls in Fayette County is a magical sight in October.
This 30-foot tall waterfall looks great no matter how much or how little water is flowing in October.
11. Laurel Run Overlook
Laurel Run Overlook is one of several exceptional scenic vistas along the Fayette County portion of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
There are not one but TWO viewing areas at Laurel Run Overlook, situated roughly 50 yards apart.
12. New Baltimore Covered Bridge
Since 1879, the New Baltimore Covered Bridge has been a superb place for viewing fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands.
One of the 10 remaining covered bridges in Somerset County, New Baltimore Bridge is still drivable to this day and makes for a colorful pitstop when viewing fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands.
13. Kooser State Park
Kooser State Park occupies 250 wooded acres along Route 31 in Somerset County.
The highlight of the park is Kooser Lake which, when calm, creates mirror-like reflections of the fall foliage on its surface.
14. Mount Davis
Mount Davis is the highest point above sea level in Pennsylvania (3,213 feet), and the views of fall foliage from there there are priceless!
Mount Davis is home to several scenic vistas, my favorite in the fall being the Camp Buckey Overlook in the Forbes State Forest.
15. Jonathan Run Trail
If you want to combine hiking, waterfalls, and fall foliage there’s no better place in the Laurel Highlands to do that than the Jonathan Run Trail in Fayette County.
With 2 large waterfalls and 2 miles of smaller cascades, this streamside hike offers up unforgettable views of the fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands.
16. Baughman Rock Overlook
Baughman Rock Overlook sits high above the Youghiogheny River valley in Fayette County, and offers a superb view of the brilliant fall foliage the Laurel Highlands is famous for.
In addition to being a reliable fall foliage spot, Baughman Rock Overlook is also a dazzling place to watch the sunrise on an October morning!
17. Lower Humbert Covered Bridge
For nearly 120 years, the Lower Humbert Covered Bridge has spanned Laurel Hill Creek in southern Somerset County.
At 126 feet long, it is still open to everyday traffic, and serves as a graceful focal point for fall foliage photographs in the Laurel Highlands.
18. Meadow Run Trail
The Meadow Run Trail is a 1.85 mile loop-hike in Fayette County, half of which takes place along the banks of Meadow Run.
Hikers, photographers, and the fishing public alike all flock to Meadow Run for the radiant fall foliage along its banks every October.
19. The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole on Blue Hole Run (along Blue Hole Road!) in Somerset County turns a magical shade of gold every October.
Located close to Cole Run Falls (mentioned earlier), you’ll find it roadside at an obvious pull-off at GPS coordinates 39.97254, -79.29808.
This Forbes State Forest attraction takes on a dreamy appearance when the pool of water composing the Blue Hole fills with swirling red and gold leaves.
20. Glessner Covered Bridge
Glessner Covered Bridge is located just outside of Shanksville, a few miles from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Since 1881, the irresistible fall foliage of the Laurel Highlands has graced the banks of the Stonycreek River around the Glessner Covered Bridge.
21. Somerset Historical Center
The Somerset Historical Center is a prime spot to view fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands.
In addition to numerous historic buildings scattered around the grounds of the museum, the Somerset Historical Center is also home to Walters Mill Covered Bridge, moved there to prevent its demolition in the 1960s.
22. Cranberry Glade Lake
Cranberry Glade Lake is nestled in a beautiful valley setting near a wind farm in Somerset County.
Cranberry Glade Lake is located on State Game Lands 111 near the Somerset-Fayette County line.
The fall foliage reflects nicely off the normally glassy waters of this picturesque lake in the Laurel Highlands.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. Mill Creek Falls
Mill Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall on a small mountain stream on State Game Lands 42 in Westmoreland County.
26. Fish Run Falls
Fish Run Falls in the Forbes State Forest may be the prettiest little waterfall in Westmoreland County that you’ve never heard of!
Fish Run Falls is located adjacent to the Pittsburgh, Westmoreland, and Somerset Railroad Mountain Bike Trail, or PW&S Trail for short.
So there you have it – 26 of the best fall foliage destinations in the Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands!
Related Articles
The Ultimate Somerset County Fall Foliage Driving Tour is a 128-mile road trip I created that takes you to 9 of the best fall foliage destinations in Somerset County.
The Somerset County Covered Bridges Driving Tour stops at all 10 historic covered bridges in the county.
The 12 Best Places to View Fall Foliage at Ohiopyle State Park will give you directions to a dozen of the top spots to view fall foliage at this iconic Laurel Highlands destination.
76 Fabulous Fall Foliage Destinations in PA is a guide to 76 of the best places to see fall foliage across Pennsylvania.
35 PA Waterfalls for Fall Foliage Lovers shows you some of the best spots in Pennsylvania to find two of my favorite subjects to photograph – waterfalls and fall foliage!
38 PA State Parks Perfect for Fall Foliage Lovers introduces you to some of the best Pennsylvania state parks for fall foliage viewing.
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