The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to some of the very best fall foliage in the entire state. DCNR provides a map that is updated regularly so you can track the fall foliage to best plan your trip and get the best views. Several factors decide when and where the fall foliage will change first so it’s important to know before you go, to make the most of your trip. Pennsylvania, specifically the Wilds area of the state, has several varieties of trees, making the fall foliage season colorful and long. Pennsylvania forests are made up of cherry, maple, birch, oak and hickory trees which means a wide variety of color, and varying lengths of time for fall foliage to be at its best. The PA Wilds region boasts two extremely popular areas that ‘leaf-peepers’ tend to get the best views, Kinzua Bridge State Park and the Kinzua Skywalk overlooking the Kinzua Gorge is located in McKean County. Tioga County is on the eastern side of the PA Wilds region, and travelers make their way to Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park to see the leaves change at the Pine Creek Valley, most often called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. If you’re visiting either or these locations, or both, stop by our PA Wilds Conservation Shops, and check out the creations made by the local artisans of the PA Wilds, and take a piece of the PA Wilds home with you.
With cooler fall weather coming that means more hiking, and the PA Wilds has no shortage of trails! In Marienville, which is also home to our other PA Wilds Conservation Shop, are the Knox and Kane Rail Trail and Penoke Trail, which are popular rail trails in the area. Other popular rail trails include, Clarion-Little Toby Rail Trail and the Pine Creek Rail Trail. In the PA Wilds there are over 1,600 miles of trails, that’s impressive! DCNR’s hiking trail site has all PA trails at your fingertips, have fun choosing the next one you wish to explore. There are so many options, skill levels, and beautiful scenic views, which ones will you choose?
To commemorate your trip to see the fall foliage, this beautiful handpainted watercolor of fall oak leaves by Martha’s Gourds is like taking a piece of it home with you, to remember forever.
We just love earrings for each season, one of our favorites being these fall leaves by Jabebo. With each leaf being a different color, they truly capture the magic of the fall foliage in the PA Wilds. Look closely, and you’ll see a tiny brown mouse hiding among them.
If you’re taking a road trip to see the foliage throughout the PA Wilds, the Pennsylvania State Parks and State Forests Passport book is a must have. This 135-page passport includes maps, a history of the state’s park and forest system, a brief description and most memorable feature of each state park and forest, and additional online resources. Participants can track their visits to our public lands by initialing their book or having it stamped at the park or forest office.
Don’t get lost on your journey! This Pine Creek Purple Lizard Map is waterproof, so even if a rain interrupts your hike, your map will stay dry, even when you might not. These are a great asset to carry with you on your travels through the PA Wilds.
If you hiked the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park, you’ll want to pick up this Turkey Path tee, printed and designed by local Wellsboro, PA company Mountain Graphics. This fun tee will tell others you hiked, and survived, the tricky Turkey Path.
