New Jersey offers some spectacular fall foliage and it’s time to start planning your autumn adventures now. Why not take a leaf peeping road trip? Peak foliage varies depending on where in the Garden State you are, so we’ve tried to design a regional escape. The season starts late September, but this trip is best taken in mid to late October. If you live in the southern half of the state, November is the time to see leaves changing in Bass River, Brendan Byrne and Wharton.
This trip is doable in a day, if you’re looking to take a nice, scenic drive with several short stops.
Click here for interactive Google Map. You can also break this nearly five-hour journey into a colorful weekend road trip. Start at either Palisades Interstate Park or Washington Crossing State Park, then follow the route.
Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville
Flickr/Beezlebub_7th This picturesque park is simply stunning in the fall, coming alive with all different shades of orange. It offers over 500 acres of natural beauty, surrounding the historic site where General George Washington crossed the Delaware River. Visit on October 14th or 15th for an autumn market and encampment.
Mount Tammany, Knowlton
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli Head north to Mount Tammany, and the Delaware Water Gap. You’ll find some of the most beautiful trails in America here (according to USA Today), so now’s the perfect time to take a hike. From the summit, you’ll see foliage for miles.
Old Mine Road, Warren County
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli From Mount Tammany, you’ll drive up Old Mine Road. A scenic, secluded road, you won’t find much in the way of industry here (make sure your tank is full). However, you will enjoy shades of red, yellow and orange surrounding you on all sides.
High Point State Park, Sussex
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM A quick, easy stop, you can drive right up to this mountain’s peak. On a clear day, you can see three states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and there are several observation areas here with binoculars (bring your quarters). You can climb to the top of the monument on weekends up until Columbus Day. However, you don’t need to climb to enjoy the scenery visible from New Jersey’s highest point (1,804’ elevation).
Waywayanda State Park, Hewitt
Flickr/Bemep There’s a parking area right by Lake Waywayanda, so you don’t need to hike to score this view. If you’d like to explore the park a bit, park by the lake’s day use area and take a short hike (under two miles out and back) to the historic iron furnace, dating back to 1846. There are also a few remnants from a former mining village.
Ringwood State Park, Ringwood
Flickr/Bob Jagendorf In addition to the fantastic foliage, you’ll find two historic estates here. Ringwood Manor is open for tours year-round, Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.. The park is also home to the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens which have something special to offer in every season.
Norvin Green State Forest, Bloomingdale
Flickr/Miguel Vieira Check out the view from Wyanokie High Point. Surrounded by lakes, ponds and the Wanaque Reservoir, you should spot some fantastic foliage here. To get to Wyanokie High Point, park near Highlands Natural Pool and take a moderate hike (around two miles) with some steeper elevation gains. It’s worth it, though it isn’t the only scenic spot in the park.
Palisades Interstate Park, Bergen County
Flickr/Anthony Quintano A stop here is a must. The park spans over five miles along the Hudson River, from Fort Lee to the state line (and beyond). There are many trails here, in a variety of difficulty levels, though I personally like to park at Alpine Lookout and…look out. The views are breathtaking. You may also enjoy views along the base of the Palisades Cliffs, in the Alpine Picnic Area.
This trip highlights the beauty of the Garden State; we’ve got more to offer than the Jersey Shore. For directions and an interactive map, click here. Looking for other fall day trips in New Jersey, check out this list.
Click here for interactive Google Map.
You can also break this nearly five-hour journey into a colorful weekend road trip. Start at either Palisades Interstate Park or Washington Crossing State Park, then follow the route.
Flickr/Beezlebub_7th
This picturesque park is simply stunning in the fall, coming alive with all different shades of orange. It offers over 500 acres of natural beauty, surrounding the historic site where General George Washington crossed the Delaware River. Visit on October 14th or 15th for an autumn market and encampment.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Head north to Mount Tammany, and the Delaware Water Gap. You’ll find some of the most beautiful trails in America here (according to USA Today), so now’s the perfect time to take a hike. From the summit, you’ll see foliage for miles.
From Mount Tammany, you’ll drive up Old Mine Road. A scenic, secluded road, you won’t find much in the way of industry here (make sure your tank is full). However, you will enjoy shades of red, yellow and orange surrounding you on all sides.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
A quick, easy stop, you can drive right up to this mountain’s peak. On a clear day, you can see three states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and there are several observation areas here with binoculars (bring your quarters). You can climb to the top of the monument on weekends up until Columbus Day. However, you don’t need to climb to enjoy the scenery visible from New Jersey’s highest point (1,804’ elevation).
Flickr/Bemep
There’s a parking area right by Lake Waywayanda, so you don’t need to hike to score this view. If you’d like to explore the park a bit, park by the lake’s day use area and take a short hike (under two miles out and back) to the historic iron furnace, dating back to 1846. There are also a few remnants from a former mining village.
Flickr/Bob Jagendorf
In addition to the fantastic foliage, you’ll find two historic estates here. Ringwood Manor is open for tours year-round, Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.. The park is also home to the New Jersey State Botanical Gardens which have something special to offer in every season.
Flickr/Miguel Vieira
Check out the view from Wyanokie High Point. Surrounded by lakes, ponds and the Wanaque Reservoir, you should spot some fantastic foliage here. To get to Wyanokie High Point, park near Highlands Natural Pool and take a moderate hike (around two miles) with some steeper elevation gains. It’s worth it, though it isn’t the only scenic spot in the park.
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
A stop here is a must. The park spans over five miles along the Hudson River, from Fort Lee to the state line (and beyond). There are many trails here, in a variety of difficulty levels, though I personally like to park at Alpine Lookout and…look out. The views are breathtaking. You may also enjoy views along the base of the Palisades Cliffs, in the Alpine Picnic Area.
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