The best places to see fall foliage in the Philly region
State parks, neighborhood parks, and towns ideal for leaf peeping.
Leaf-peeping season, though more popular farther north in New England, is an annual tradition in Pennsylvania that brings to mind apple cider doughnuts, plaid shirts, and cozy bonfires.
The state’s a great place for it, thanks to the region’s deciduous forests. Maple leaves turn vivid red; ginkgo leaves turn bright yellow. Aspen, ash, and sumac trees each shimmer from green to jewel-tone shades of gold, red, and purple.
When does fall foliage peak in Pennsylvania?
Inquirer’s Anthony Wood finds peak foliage likely won’t arrive until the end of October in Philly. Follow the status of foliage across the state on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) website to see when leaves hit their peak. And check out the Poconos Fall Foliage Forecast, which begins Sept. 7 and will be updated every Thursday through the end of October to help you discover where, when, and how to witness the brilliant foliage in the four-county region.
You can also help track fall colors where you live by joining Nature’s Notebook, a website managed by the National Science Foundation, where you can contribute to data collection for scientists like Grossman.
Whether you’re ready to marvel in the brilliant colors or looking to commune with nature, here are some of the best places, in, around, and within a weekend’s trip of Philly for viewing fall foliage.
Where to see fall foliage in Philly
The outdoor section of the Rodin Museum’s collection is a beautiful place to take in both fall foliage and the museum’s spectacular sculptures, which combine to create an experience unlike any other in the city. Although the museum is ticketed, the gardens are open to the public year-round and are speckled with linden and silverbell trees, which have leaves that turn a striking yellow in autumn.
📍2151 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., 📞 215-763-8100, 🌐 rodin museum.org, 📷 @philamuseum
The Navy Yard received its Level I arboretum accreditation in 2018, achieved in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The historic homes and buildings around the space are surrounded by similarly historic trees — visitors can enjoy the leaves of hundred-year-old sycamores, which turn bright orange and yellow, red oak, which turn bright red, and even sour gum trees, which turn a combination of orange, reddish, and even sometimes purple. These older trees form a nice backdrop for some of the more recently planted varieties. Walk along the Riverfront Greenway for the prettiest views.
📍4747 S. Broad St., 📞 215-843-9273, 🌐 navyyard.org, 📷 @navyyardphila
Most people think of Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill as historic cemeteries, but they are also an accredited arboretum, with many native and non-native trees. While both have fall foliage, arboretum manager Aaron Greenberg says the best colors are at West Laurel Hill, where visitors can enjoy long alleyways flanked by sugar maples, which are known for their bright red leaves, and by ginkgo trees, which have leaves that turn a distinctive yellow color then drop. Don’t worry, even if you miss the color, Greenberg says the carpet of leaves remains a seasonal wonder. For more professional guidance, join Greenberg on one of his annual foliage tours at East, scheduled this year for Sept. 16 and Oct. 22. Peak foliage is typically the end of October through the beginning of November, but follow their social media for updates.
📍3822 Ridge Ave., and 225 Belmont Ave.,Bala Cynwyd, 📞 215-228-8200 and 610-668-9900, 🌐laurelhillphl.com, 🕐 April 1-Oct. 31, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov. 1-March 31, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Wissahickon spans 1,800 acres in Northwest Philly and is one of the city’s most popular and accessible escapes into nature. The park has more than 50 miles of hiking trails, but for the best foliage, use the Lavender Trail to wind your way along an oak- and tulip tree-lined stream. Be sure to visit the Henry Avenue Bridge for views of this nationally registered historic place surrounded by the fall foliage.
📍Valley Green Road, 📞 215-247-0417, 🌐 fow.org, 📷 @fowissahickon, 🕐 Park curfew: 1 a.m.-6 a.m. (8 p.m.- 6 a.m. from Dec. 1-March 31)
For a new perspective on the leaves, visit Martin Puryear’s Pavilion in the Trees in West Fairmount Park, near Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. The elevated, covered deck gives you the opportunity to admire trees from among the branches, getting you up close and personal with the changing leaves.
📍Reservoir Drive, 📞 215-683-3600, 🌐 myphillypark.org, 📷 @myphillypark, 🕐 Open 24 hours (holidays hours may vary) .
Start your visit to the Awbury Arboretum at the Francis Cope House, which is surrounded by old-growth trees, including a bright red maple that produces brilliant color. Then follow the Germantown arboretum’s self-guided heritage tree tour to see trees like a burnt-orange bald cypress, several American lindens, and an award-winning river birch. Admission is free but consider donating to support Awbury’s ongoing children’s programs and other community partnerships.
📍1 Awbury Rd., 📞 215-849-2855, 🌐 awbury.org, 📷 @awburyarboretum, 🕐 Daily, dawn-dusk
In addition to a famous Franklinia tree that William Bartram saved from extinction, the historic collection at Bartram’s Garden includes what is believed to be the oldest male ginkgo tree in North America, which offers bright yellow foliage in the fall, as well as the Bartram Oak, a hybrid of two types of oak trees that produces a variety of yellow to orange hues in the fall. The Bartram’s mile trail also offers a riverside view overlooking the city for a longer walk or short bike ride.
📍5400 Lindbergh Blvd., 📞 215-729-5281, 🌐 bartramsgarden.org, 📷 @Bartramsgarden, 🕐 Daily, dawn-dusk
Walk the Manayunk Bridge Trail and witness sweeping views of the Schuylkill River, Schuylkill Canal and downtown Manayunk colored in a yellow-red umbrage. The trail begins and ends at Dupont Street and High Street in Manayunk and Cynwyd Heritage Trail in Bala Cynwyd.
📍5400 Lindbergh Blvd., 📞 215-729-5281, 🌐manayunk.com, 📷 @manayunkdotcom
» READ MORE: How to have the perfect staycation in Manayunk
Where to see fall foliage outside of Philly
Scott Arboretum includes the campus of Swarthmore College, as well as the adjacent Crum Woods. Visitors can compare the color and timing of fall foliage on native trees like sugar maples, which turn red, with non-native, more exotic trees like the Norway maple, which turns yellow, says Grossman. The campus is open to the public for visitors who would like to visit independently, and the arboretum also organizes regular tours, including dedicated fall foliage tours starting in October. Find more information here.
📍500 College Ave., Swarthmore, 📞 610-328-8025, 🌐 scottarboretum.org, 📷 @scott_arboretum, 🕐 Daily, dawn-dusk
The Tyler Arboretum has a diverse collection of curated trees, much like the one at the Scott Arboretum, ideal for comparing and contrasting native and non-native foliage, says Grossman. The difference is that Tyler also has 17 miles of hiking trails that go through 550 acres of wooded area. Note: The trails outside the first 100 acres are closed due to emerald ash borer beetle infestation. If you’re interested in more fall colors than just those on trees, check out the arboretum’s collection of late-season flowers, which bloom annually in the barn garden.
📍515 Painter Rd., Media, 📞 610-566-9134, 🌐 tylerarboretum.org, 📷 @tylerarboretum, 🕐 March-October, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-8 p.m., November-February, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 🎫 $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children, military and students, and free for children under 2
Explore American Revolutionary history at Valley Forge by driving the 10-mile loop of the encampment, which includes stops at the visitors center, the National Memorial Arch, Washington’s Headquarters, and more, all while surrounded by beautiful autumn views. For the best foliage, though, hike to the peak of Mount Misery or Mount Joy, both of which offer broad vistas of the surrounding colorful fall foliage.
📍1400 N. Outer Line Dr., King of Prussia, 📞 610-783-1077, 🌐 nps.gov, 📷 @Valleyforgepark, 🕐 Daily, 7 a.m.-sunset
Get up above the foliage for a bird’s-eye view at Bowman’s Hill Tower, which gives you views as far as 14 miles on a clear day. Or head to the Thompson-Neely mill with trees and rolling hills offering a picturesque view.
📍1112 River Road., Washington Crossing, 📞 215-493-4076, 🌐 washingtoncrossingpark.org, 📷 @washingtoncrossingpark, 🕐 Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
In upper Bucks County, Nockamixon State Park offers more than 5,200 acres of protected land surrounding the lake — the largest in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Trees like maples, white oaks, and staghorn sumacs begin changing color in early October, and visitors can spend a day hiking, biking, kayaking or even horseback riding, while those needing a bit more nature can book a (heated) cabin or reserve a campsite for an overnight stay.
📍1542 Mountain View Dr., Quakertown, 📞 215-529-7300, 🌐 dcnr.state.pa.us, 🕐 Daily, sunrise-sunset
In addition to natural landscapes and striking waterfalls, Ridley Creek hosts formal gardens around its visitors center. Take a walk past the Hunting Hill Mansion, an English-style country manor built in 1789, which, when surrounded by changing fall foliage, has a haunting atmosphere that feels seasonally appropriate. You could also take a guided nature hike, offered from Sept. 10-Nov. 12. Note: The East Forge Road portion of the park’s multi-use trail and day use areas 1-5 and 14-17 will be closed weekdays starting Sept. 5-Nov.27.
📍1023 Sycamore Mills Road, Media, 📞 610-892-3900, 🌐 dcnr.state.pa.us, 🕐 Daily, sunrise-sunset
The Pocono Mountain town of Jim Thorpe celebrates the season with its annual Fall Foliage Festival. This year’s, which will take over the historic town each weekend from Oct. 7 through 29, features live music, and street food stalls. Ride the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which takes a 16-mile loop along the Lehigh River and into Lehigh Gorge State Park, with scenic views of foliage the whole way. Those seeking outdoor adventure can opt to ride the train to White Haven, Pa., then return by bike on a 25-mile, downhill ride through car-free, tree-lined trails on Sept. 16 and 17 and Nov. 11 and 12. Jim Thorpe also sits at the base of Mount Pisgah, a 2,260-foot summit which offers views from above or below. Keep an eye out for peak foliage with the Pocono Mountains Live Cameras, one of which looks over the town.
🌐 jimthorpe.org, 📷 @visitjimthorpepa
Bald Eagle State Forest makes up close to 200,000 acres and more than 300 miles of trail acres in Central Pennsylvania, encompassing several swaths of old-growth forests that show off intense color in the fall. The variation in elevation — from the Susquehanna Valley to the Allegheny Mountains — creates variety in the type and intensity of foliage and offers several higher-altitude overlooks for seeing the patchwork of color created by the fall foliage.
The forests at Promised Land are made up of many maple, cherry, birch, beech, and oak trees, providing a cacophony of bright reds, golds, yellows, and oranges. The two lakes in the park make the color that much more compelling — take in the reflection from the water by renting a kayak, canoe, or peddle boat at Promised Land Boat Rental. Campsites and rustic cabins are available for overnight stays.
🌐 dcnr.pa.gov, 🕐 Daily, sunrise-sunset
Picnic amongst the foliage in this over 1,300 acre Monroe County state park. High atop the Camelback Mountain, picnic tables and charcoal grills provide the perfect spot to hang with scenic views at an elevation of 2,100 feet above sea level. The area is ADA accessible with parking spaces designated for people with disabilities in Parking Lot #4, plus accessible restrooms and some picnic tables.
📍Camelback Road, Tannersville, 🌐dcnr.pa.gov, 🕐 Daily, sunrise-sunset (The park closes in early December and re-opens the first week in April)
Marvel at the brilliant leaves coloring trees as the antique train car makes its way from New Hope to Buckingham, Pennsylvania and back. Departure is at Witch’s Hat Train Station in the heart of New Hope, setting off on a picturesque two-hour journey through the vibrant landscapes of Bucks County. As you relax in the vintage passenger coaches from the early 1900s, you’ll hear historical facts and narratives about noteworthy cultural landmarks as they pass by. Online tickets are $64 to $134 for adults, $62 to $132 for children, and $11 to $12 for infants, depending on service class.
📍32 West Bridge St., 🌐 newhoperailroad.com/fall-excursion, @newhoperailroad