Fall descends upon Pennsylvania with majesty, and from October, the leaf color is at its most glorious, and lasts for about a month. Culture Trip rounds up the best spots to enjoy this natural phenomenon.
The enormous 500-acre (185ha) Schenley Park, in Pittsburgh, is famous for its yellow-wood trees. Panther Hollow Lake has many trails to take, with varying degrees of difficulty. Here you can experience the full glory of nature without straying far from the city. The skyscrapers, bold and imposing, can still be seen in the distance, as summer draws to its end and fall envelops the wild surroundings.
Around one hour north of Pennsylvania this state park, with a ridge overlooking the region, and around 1,300ft (396m) above the Susquehanna River, gives you an excellent view of the foliage in all its fall colors. As the hang gliders swoop against the sunset and the river flows below, the scene for the end of summer is set. The primitive trails on offer here are for those who like to hike in the rough.
Bowman’s Hill Tower, less than an hour’s drive northeast out of Philadelphia and near New Hope, in Bucks County, is a historic site where George Washington once stood with his troops. It offers incredible views of the Delaware River and across to New Jersey. Surrounded by forest, the observation tower offers 360-degree views and all the fiery colors of fall.
Penn Grand Canyon, on the edge of the Susquehannock State Forest in northern Pennsylvania, has miles of forested trails worth hiking, past waterfalls through woods and into gorges. It is definitely hard to beat.
Jim Thorpe, in eastern Pennsylvania, is a small town named after the Native American athlete who became the first indigenous man to win a medal in the Olympics for the United States. During fall there are many festivals that draw crowds with a wonderful atmosphere downtown. It’s a fun place to be and it is easy to rent a bike and escape out into nature on one of the many trails to enjoy the fall colors.