State guide
When to catch Pennsylvaniathrough the year
The peaks we can name in Pennsylvania each belong to a place, not the whole state. Wildflowers along Longhouse Scenic Drive: late April to May; Fall color at Cherry Valley: late October.
When are you going?
Fall in Pennsylvania
Also good in fall
- Allegheny National ForestPeak leaf color at Jakes Rocks
- Black Moshannon State ParkFall color across Pennsylvania (statewide, volunteer observers)
- Cherry Valley RefugeLate fall color on the ridge
- Cook Forest State ParkFall color across Pennsylvania (statewide, volunteer observers)
- Delaware Water GapPeak fall color, sometime in October
- Erie RefugeFall waterfowl migration (September to November)
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Pennsylvania
- SEASON · WINTER WILDLIFEErie RefugeFrom September to NovemberPennsylvania
“from September to November” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Next peak here after winter
“sometime in October” · National Park Service ↗
Spring in Pennsylvania
- SEASON · SPRING MIGRATIONErie RefugeFrom March to early AprilPennsylvania
“from March to early April” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
- PHASE · WILDFLOWERSAllegheny National ForestSpring (Late April-May), offers the showiest display (and 1 more phase)Pennsylvania
“spring (Late April-May), offers the showiest display” · US Forest Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Allegheny National ForestShowiest spring wildflowers on Longhouse Scenic Drive (late April-May)
- Cook Forest State ParkPark programs for all ages (guided walks, evening programs), March to December
- Erie RefugeSpring wildflowers on the Trolley Line Trail
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
“sometime in October” · National Park Service ↗
Summer in Pennsylvania
Good in summer
- Allegheny National ForestMountain laurel at Jakes Rocks
- Black Moshannon State ParkSummer Festival with lumber-era contests, usually the fourth weekend of July
- Cook Forest State ParkPark programs for all ages (guided walks, evening programs), March to December
- Laurel Hill State ParkBeach season at Laurel Hill Lake, late May to mid-September
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
“sometime in October” · National Park Service ↗
Places in Pennsylvania
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Fall
- Winter
Places on this map, as a list
- Pine Creek GorgeLocal timing: the first three weeks of October
- Black Moshannon State ParkStatewide: usually well under way by late October
- Ohiopyle State ParkStatewide: usually well under way by late October
- Laurel Hill State ParkStatewide: usually well under way by late October
- Delaware Water GapUsually: sometime in October
- Cherry Valley RefugeUsually late October
Allegheny and the northwest
Pennsylvania Wilds
Poconos and the Delaware
Planning a Pennsylvania trip
Towns to stay in
- Philadelphia, PAForsythe Refuge · 52 mi
- Pittsburgh, PAOhiopyle State Park · 47 mi
- Allentown, PADelaware Water Gap · 32 mi
- Erie, PAErie Refuge · 34 mi
- Scranton, PACherry Valley Refuge · 40 mi
- Lancaster, PABaltimore (Sherwood Gardens) · 52 mi
- Altoona, PABlack Moshannon State Park · 32 mi
- Williamsport, PALittle Pine State Park · 19 mi
- Lebanon, PABaltimore (Sherwood Gardens) · 70 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Delaware Water Gap: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement ↗
- Delaware Water Gap: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026 ↗
Browse by season and event
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Fall foliage · 9 places hereFall foliage in Pennsylvania →Fall foliage, everywhere →
- Spring migration · 1 place hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Where are the most flowers at Allegheny National Forest?
On the southern part of Longhouse Scenic Drive, between Kiasutha Campground and SR 321, though you'll see flowers on both sides of the whole drive.Source: US Forest Service, Longhouse Scenic Drive wildflowers (Allegheny NF) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I stop along the drive at Allegheny National Forest?
Yes, but pull fully off the road to look; the speed limit is 35 mph. If you walk along the road, face traffic and wear bright clothing.Source: US Forest Service, Longhouse Scenic Drive wildflowers (Allegheny NF) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I drive to Rimrock Overlook in winter at Allegheny National Forest?
Not by the usual road: in the winter season, the access road from Route 59 is used as a cross-country ski trail. The overlook's season runs from late March to mid-December.Source: US Forest Service, Rimrock Hiking Trail and Overlook ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When does it peak at Cherry Valley Refuge?
Late October, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which trails work for strollers or wheelchairs at Cherry Valley Refuge?
The Front Nine and Back Nine are paved former golf cart paths, though the full loops have some steep hills. The Ridge Trail is dirt and gravel with moderately steep climbs.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How early should I arrive at Delaware Water Gap?
Early. The Park Service says the trail to the top of Mt. Minsi, on the Pennsylvania side, is among those crowded on weekends, and parking for popular trails often fills very early in the day in the busy summer season. There's no entry fee.Sources: National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap summer 2025 ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap basic information ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, The Water Gap ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Maryland · District of Columbia · New York · Delaware
Pennsylvania in pictures
How we know
- Sep 30Park ServiceSpring (late April to May) offers the showiest wildflower displaySource (opens US Forest Service, Longhouse Scenic Drive wildflowers (Allegheny NF) in a new tab)
- Sep 28ReferenceViews of Jackson Bay, Kinzua Dam and the forest; peak leaf color the second week of OctoberSource (opens US Forest Service, Jakes Rocks Overlook in a new tab)
- Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceUsual peak by refuge: early October at Aroostook, Nulhegan Basin and Missisquoi; mid-October at Moosehorn, Rachel Carson and Great Bay (marsh)Source (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, A fall foliage tour of the Northeast in a new tab)
- Sep 28Park ServiceFall foliage peaks sometime in OctoberSource (opens National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap biking in a new tab)
- Sep 30Park ServiceSeasons of wildlife: waterfowl migrations March to early April and September to November; viewing tipsSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Erie NWR: Species in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.
Show all 8
- Sep 28ReferenceThe east-rim park, its lookout terrace, Overlook Trail and fall color timing · Wikipedia contributors, adapted · CC BY-SA 4.0Source (opens Wikipedia, Leonard Harrison State Park in a new tab)
- Sep 28ReferenceThe west-rim park, its CCC overlooks, Rim Trail and fall color timing · Wikipedia contributors, adapted · CC BY-SA 4.0Source (opens Wikipedia, Colton Point State Park in a new tab)