NJ Fall Foliage Reports
Average New Jersey peak color is October 19 through 29. Check out our recommendations for Best Fall Foliage Hikes in NJ. Also, email or tweet us @njhiking to let us know how the foliage is in your area of Jersey and we'll post it here.
11/20/09 - Some pockets of color remain on trees here and there, but most trees have dropped their leaves.
11/9/09 - Foliage is at past peak for pretty much all of NJ, with significant leaf drop.
11/7/09 - Foliage is at peak or past peak for all of NJ. This weekend should be excellent weather for hiking, both Saturday and Sunday. There is a nice mix of color on the trees and a thick layer of leaves on the ground to shuffle and crunch through - so get out there!
10/31/09 - Color in general seems to be fading, but there pockets of color. Even in S. Jersey, the color is on the wane. In Harriman (just over the border into NY) the color is past peak but there still some nice color, especially along the creek on the way to Pine Meadow Lake.
Sources for tracking fall color in New Jersey and the Northeast |
|---|
The Weather Channel - New Jersey and the Northeast Coverage Map |
Yankee Foliage - Very detailed map of the Northeast including NJ (move map to see) |
The Foliage Network - Northeast Reports, updated weekly |
U.S Forest Service - Eastern Region Reports |
NJ Division of Parks and Forestry - Map showing usual times for change across NJ |
Colorful Fall Species Chart - Identify the yellows, reds and oranges of Autumn in NJ. |
1-800-VISIT-NJ - Fall Foliage/Events |
Sources for tracking fall color in the United States |
The Weather Channel - United States Coverage Map |
U.S. Forest Service - United States Reports |
Farmer's Almanac - United States Average Peak Foliage Dates |
How Leaves Change - Brief explanation |
Best Fall Foliage Hikes in New Jersey
Here are just a few suggestions for fall foliage hikes around NJ - there are certainly many more, and anywhere bursting with color will be a lot of fun. For the best results, pick a hike with a view from a summit of surrounding peaks, or a lake/pond to reflect the foliage.
-
Delaware Water Gap: Mt. Tammany, Sunfish Pond, Mt. Minsi (PA side)
-
Four Birds Trail and the Hawk Watch in Farny State Park
-
Pyramid Mountain - Any loop in the park, there are several overlooks
-
Hawk Rock Viewpoint in Ramapo Valley County Reservation
-
Monument Trail - High Point State Park
Email or tweet us @njhiking to let us know your favorite NJ foliage hikes and we'll post them here.
Hiking is wonderful in any season, but nothing compares to walking in crisp autumn air with leaves crunching underfoot, and an explosion of color all around.
Leaves will change color starting from Maine and working their way south. Leaves could be past peak in North Jersey and still barely changed in South Jersey... use the info here to get in as much color as you can, it doesn't last long!
While there are average times for color change, it really depends on several variables like temperture and rainfall. Trees at higher elevations turn color before ones at lower elevations.
