Exploring Fall Colors in Pennsylvania
One of the blessings of living in Pennsylvania – and of working as an eastern Pennsylvania tree trimming service – is the chance to see the leaves change color every fall.
Once September arrives, our forests begin to transform. What was once just green becomes a rainbow of red and gold and orange and purple.
It’s a transformation that doesn’t last. By November the trees will be bare, the fallen leaves all the same shade of brown.
So today we’ll take a look at all the ways you can explore Pennsylvania’s fall colors this year, whether it’s by foot or by car or even by train.
For road trip enthusiasts
Pennsylvania has a lot of highways, and a lot of those highways cut through a lot of scenic areas. VisitPA, the state’s official tourism website, offers a few ways to see the state’s foliage this fall, if you don’t mind taking a drive.
First up, there’s the Longhouse National Scenic Byway, which stretches for 36 miles through the Allegheny National Forest and offers plenty of scenic overlooks.
Also in western Pennsylvania, you’ll find the Elk Country Loop, which winds through 76 miles of the Pennsylvania Wilds. See the foliage, along with elk and other wildlife, and visit the Elk Country Visitor Center to learn more about these amazing creatures.
If you’re visiting Pittsburgh, take a drive up the 3-mile Grand View Scenic Byway, which lets you see the city and the surrounding fall colors from the top of Mount Washington. You can also take the famed Duquesne incline to the top of the mountain, as long as you’re not afraid of heights.
Finally, no trip to western PA is complete without a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic home Fallingwater which you’ll see along the Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway.
Hiking and biking
Did you know Pennsylvania has its own Grand Canyon? It’s also known as the Pine Creek Gorge in Wellsboro. The view is great any time of year, but it’s especially majestic in the fall. You can enjoy the scenery up top or hike to the bottom.
Luzerne County Is home to Ricketts Glen State Park, where hikers who finish the Falls Trail get to see autumn’s grandeur as well as 21 gorgeous waterfalls.
And if you’d rather bike than hike, you can enjoy the scenic beauty and river towns along the Delaware River by following the tow paths that are a part of the Delaware Canal State Park. With
Taking the train
If you want to view the state’s autumn colors but don’t feel like driving or hiking or pedaling a bike, you can always take the train.
Specifically, the one right here in Bucks County: the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad in New Hope, which offers a narrated one-hour excursion in September and October.
You can also travel on Boyertown’s Colebrookdale Railroad throughout October and November, which offers a two-hour trip complete with seasonal snacks.
And finally, there’s the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Byway’s Autumn Leaf Excursion, which takes you from the town of Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe on a vintage train.
There are so many ways to see the gorgeous fall colors Pennsylvania has to offer, but don’t forget the trees at home. In Eastern Pennsylvania, fall colors abound. Trees to look for this season include sugar maple, red maple, sassafras, sumac, birch, dogwood, and hickory.
One of the biggest joys of having these trees on your property is seeing their leaves change color each year. But that can’t happen without proper tree care throughout the year. Willow Tree and Landscaping Service can provide that care, whether it’s tree trimming, planting, Emerald Ash Borer control or tree removal.
Our expert staff has been providing service to Bucks County homeowners for more than 30 years. Let us make sure your trees remain healthy season after season.