Pittsburgh
Guide to seeing all of the fall colors near Pittsburgh
Selfies required.
by Stephanie Brea
September 19, 2021
The Farmer’s Almanac estimates that Oct. 5-21 will be peak fall foliage season across Pennsylvania. Not exactly sure how they figure that out so far in advance (and it is literally the same as last year’s date range). Here’s some spots to check out for peak fall leaf viewing this year.
?⏱ ~3 hours east of Pittsburgh
If you can’t get to the Grand Canyon, might as well go to “the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Both the Leonard Harrison and the Colton Point state parks offer scenic overlooks — the former is more family-friendly with a playground and picnic areas, while the latter offers a 4-mile steep descent into the floor of the canyon. Choose your own adventure.
?⏱ ~2 hours southeast of Pittsburgh
Mount Davis is the highest point in Pennsylvania. It’s well known with highpointers (folks who visit the highest point in each state so they can check it off their list), but don’t let that fancy term intimidate you. The Mount Davis observation tower offers a 360-degree view, but it is easily climbable. The Highpoint Trail is a 5.2-mile loop, so Mount Davis can be a short trip rather than a full day’s destination hike.
?⏱ ~2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh
Raystown Lake is the largest lake entirely in Pennsylvania. It’s 30 miles long and offers the opportunity for both hiking and water adventures. The Allegrippis Trails are popular with mountain bike enthusiasts. The lake offers camping spots and cabins for rent, with many options still available for fall.
?⏱ ~1-hour drive southeast of Pittsburgh
Want something a little less strenuous than a hike? Check out some of the covered bridges in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Uncovering PA has an article that lists all 10 bridges, with some tips on how to see them all. If 10 seems to be a bit much, just choose the Packsaddle Covered Bridge. It is the only covered bridge in the state that is directly over a waterfall. While the waterfall is best viewed during times of high water (such as in the spring), the shortest bridge in Somerset County still looks impressive with fall foliage.
?⏱ ~3-hour drive northeast of Pittsburgh
Once the highest and longest railroad viaduct in the world, six of the Kinzua Viaduct’s remaining steel towers were transformed into the Sky Walk in 2011. It extends 624 feet into the Kinzua Gorge, offering panoramic views (and thanks to some glass-bottomed sections of the sky walk’s deck, the opportunity to look straight down below).
?⏱ ~90-minute drive south of Pittsburgh
Want to technically leave the state so you can say you had a vacation this year? Take a short drive to the iconic views of Coopers Rock State Forest. Located 13 miles from Morgantown, this West Virginia State Park lists 20+ trails on its website; be sure to take a photo at the overlook.
As a reminder, overcrowding is a possible issue for these outdoor spots. Practice social distancing, wear your mask and check the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website for updates on possible spots that might turn away visitors before you leave home.
This story was originally published in September 2020 and has been updated for the 2021 fall leave peeping season.
Stephanie has been organizing events since 1998, starting with a series of motorcycle rides through the Arizona desert to support her father’s business. She’s probably crossed your name off a presale ticket list or served you a beer somewhere around town. An undergrad degree in poetry means she has lots of unpractical knowledge about iambic pentameter, while a brief stint as a copy editor for Alternative Press taught her that twenty one pilots is stylized in all lowercase letters. Wanna throw a party in a vacant parking lot? She’s interested. At the onset of COVID-19, Stephanie took on the role…
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