Best places to see leaves change colors around Philly

As temperatures drop, the vibrancy of the area’s fall foliage becomes more striking, with peak viewing times throughout October.

From russet reds and fiery oranges to burnt yellows and smoky bronze, here are our top recommendations for leaf peeping in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re walking, biking, hiking, canoeing, enjoying a picnic, or simply driving by, plan your viewing activities accordingly for these optimal, not-to-be-missed views.

1 mile from Center City

Enjoy breathtaking views of the city’s foliage along the Delaware River on this three-hour cruise. Witness a spectacular display of Atlantic white cedar and black willow in Camden’s Cramer Hill Waterfront Park, swamp white oaks in Spruce Street Harbor Park, and American sweet gums at Race Street Pier.

401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., cityexperiences.com/philadelphia/city-cruises

4 miles from Center City

Home to 1,900 animals and more than 1,500 trees, the Philadelphia Zoo is packed with vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and browns through autumn. Notable tree species include the nearly glowing yellow ginkgo trees at Outback Outpost and Impala Plaza, the burgundy crape myrtles just south of the Tiger Terrace eatery, and the distinct orange of the katsura tree near the Solitude. Go around mid-October for peak hues.

3400 W. Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org

6 miles from Center City

With ideal viewing throughout this 1,400-acre park, be sure to visit the Trolley Trail. Runners, hikers, and cyclists can surround themselves in stunning nature through a 4.5-mile loop through the woods. Don’t miss the views around the Skew Arch Bridge, which was recently restored by the Fairmount Park Conservancy. The bridge is a vestige of the trolley line infrastructure featuring distinctive engineering with “ribs” of arching brickwork.

3250 Chamounix Dr., myphillypark.org

9 miles from Center City

This historic, 33-acre pond in Camden County is ideal for leaf viewing, offering amenities like a self-guided looped tree trail, hiking, biking, and picnic area to enjoy the surrounding trees.

501 Hopkins Lane, Haddonfield, N.J., camdencounty.com/service/parks/hopkins-pond

24 miles from Center City

Pennypack Trail is part of the Circuit Trails, a network of multiuse trails that spans over 500 miles across the Philadelphia region and Southern New Jersey. This 16.8-mile multi-surface, wooded trail travels through Montgomery and Philadelphia counties and offers a serene getaway amid vibrant maples, oaks, and other native trees.

1750 Byberry Rd., Huntingdon Valley, montgomerycountypa.gov/departments/parks-trails-historic-sites/trails/pennypack-trail

31 miles from Center City

Five miles of trails around a 15-acre campus, with the best viewing of oaks and red maples for brilliant reds, American beech trees for fiery oranges and copper tones, and walnut trees for golden yellows in late October. Ideal places include the plant gardens close to the museum building and along the River Trail.

1 Hoffman’s Mill Rd., Chadds Ford, brandywine.org/museum

40 miles from Center City

This beautiful park, part of both Bucks and Northampton Counties, is ideal for viewing fall foliage. From sunrise to dusk, stroll, kayak, or canoe along the 58-mile towpath, maintained by the Friends of the Delaware Canal and Delaware Canal State Park, to determine which way you best enjoy the fall scenery.

145 South Main St., New Hope, pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks

56 miles from Center City

Head to this 7,730-acre state park — the largest block of continual forest between Washington, D.C., and New York City — the last week of October for the most colors. A mix of forests, lakes, wetlands, and fields, all ideal for scenic views.

843 Park Rd., Elverson, pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-parks

179 miles from Center City

Named after the Loyalsock Creek, a stream that runs through it, this park consists of 114,552 acres, including portions of Sullivan, Lycoming, and Bradford Counties. Viewing consists of northern hardwoods with peak viewing early to mid October.

6735 US-220 N, Dushore, pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests

254 miles from Center City

This forest spreads across the high ridges of the Laurel Highlands, including the 3,213-foot Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania. The forest comprises 15 tracts totaling almost 59,000 acres in Fayette, Somerset County, and Westmoreland Counties. Peak foliage viewing is mid to late October.

1291 Route 30, Laughlintown, pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests

257 miles from Center City

Cole Run Road is a short, scenic route within the Forbes State Forest in Somerset County, leading to Cole Run Falls and the nearby Barronvale Covered Bridge. View stunning foliage surrounded by one of the region’s most photogenic waterfalls. Peak viewing is mid to late October.

Middlecreek Township, Somerset County (part of Forbes State Forest), pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests

292 miles from Center City

It is one of the eight state forests located within the Pennsylvania Wilds, comprising over 16,761 acres. Its border ranges from the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers to the Allegheny Plateau, providing a wide collection of diverse trees. Enjoy the gorgeous foliage views via horseback riding, picnicking, hiking, or mountain biking in mid to late October.

158 South Second Ave., Clarion, pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/where-to-go/state-forests