Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey Fall Foliage Happening Now

Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey fall foliage is really splendid, and this year is certainly no exception. Early October is one of the best times of the season to see fall foliage in the area, so now is the time to embrace your inner leaf peeper and check out some amazing views. In the spirit of the crips, cool season, here are some places in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey to see fall colors right now, according to experts.

Have you ever wondered why leaves change different ways depending on where you live? According to the Smithsonian, "How much and how fast leaves transform varies by location on the globe. The best colors are produced when the weather is dry, sunny and cool." They add that areas are cloudy, damp or warm won't have as much vibrant color changing. The U.S. Forest Service adds that, "As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed." Also, "The timing of color changes and the onset of falling leaves is primarily regulated by the calendar as nights become longer."

As winter approaches, they note that, "Trees start building a protective seal between leaves and their branches as the weather turns" and these trees "take in as many nutrients as possible from the leaves, but leaves wouldn’t survive the winter and would make trees vulnerable to damage if they remained." The leaves fall when they're cut off from fluid in the branches. It's really fascinating how nature works, isn't it?

As for Pennsylvania fall foliage, according to the experts at Visit Pennsylvania, the best places to see fall colors in early October are Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and Mt. Gretna, Starrucca Viaduct, Memorial Lake State Park, Winslow Hill Elk Viewing Area and Kinzua Bridge State Park. The warmer areas of the state will see colors later in the month. "Nothing signals the advent of autumn in Pennsylvania as when the state’s natural landscape begins to burst with glittering displays of red, yellow and purple," Visit Pennsylvania notes. "From the large-scale transformations in the Allegheny National Forest and Rothrock State Forest to historical sights framed by varying shades of gold, you can catch a glimpse of this annual spectacle by foot, bike or car."

For New Jersey fall foliage, Jersey Digs loves the fall leaves at Allamuchy Mountain State Park, noting, "The park is designated as a mixed oak and hardwood forest. That means lots of deep red and orange leaves everywhere you look." In Delaware, Only In Your State recommends a trip to Trap Pond State Park to take in the views. A reader also wrote me suggesting Jumonville as a lovely spot.