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Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Reports Return

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Pennsylvania’s weekly fall foliage reports have returned, offering regional updates, photographs and expert tips for residents and visitors planning autumn outings.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said the reports will be posted each Thursday during peak foliage season. Pennsylvania’s varied elevation and tree species give the state an unusually long fall color season.

DCNR manages 125 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forestland, all free and open to visitors.

The Oct. 1 report says rain in midsummer and September eased drought stress across Pennsylvania’s forests and left tree canopies greener. DCNR said the rainfall has prepared the forests for a strong autumn display.

The report described an uneven start to the season: color was developing in northern counties and at higher elevations, while many other areas remained mostly green. Foresters expected cool nights to move the transition forward, with the best color still ahead.

In the central and southcentral region, Michaux State Forest serves Adams, Cumberland and York counties. Foresters said black gum and birch were beginning to change, with a few maples showing scattered color.

The county chart listed Adams and York counties as showing “no change” for the week of Oct. 1–7. The report also shows how foliage can progress at different rates across Pennsylvania’s varied elevations and regions.

For a local outing, DCNR recommends Ridge Road in northern Michaux or the Kepner’s Knob Trail in the southern part of the forest. The agency’s Oct. 1 foliage report includes regional notes and photos, and new reports are posted weekly during peak season.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

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