Monroe and Carbon counties are approaching peak fall color, while trees in the Lehigh Valley are still a few weeks away, according to the latest fall foliage report from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The DCNR said Thursday in its weekly foliage report that color is just starting for Lehigh and Northampton counties, as well as neighboring Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Foresters in the southeastern region wrote that William Penn State Forest is showing hints of fall color, with maples and birches showing the most color. The report recommends visiting Gibraltar Hill or Wertz tracts in Berks County to see some fall color.
The forester in Monroe and Pike counties wrote that forests are quickly reaching peak color.
“A wide range of changes is observable, from some areas just starting to turn and other areas almost at full peak,” the report states. “Most species aside from oaks show vibrant color, including hickory and sugar maple with nice, bright yellows. Red maple, birch, and sassafras are showing their full colors.”
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, which releases its own weekly foliage forecast, says southern Monroe and Carbon counties are warming with reds and golds. Sassafras and red maple are approaching peak, and sweet birch is showing significant change, according to the report. Full color is about 30%, with about 95% of leaves still on the trees, the bureau said. Peak color should be the last week of the month, the tourism report states.
Seven northern counties and Somerset County in the southwestern part of the state, are already at peak color, according to the DCNR report. All of northwestern Pennsylvania is approaching peak color, while some southwest counties are just starting.
It’s time for your Week 2 Fall Foliage Report! 🍂🍁
While autumn colors continue to spread across much of the Commonwealth, recent cold nights have helped fall colors reach their peak in the north.
View the full report: https://t.co/rLk4Xe5M4K pic.twitter.com/UamFgJzhJg
— PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (@DCNRnews) October 8, 2026
Colorful bursts of fall color are evident across most of the state’s forests, the report states.
“The best places to see the beautiful colors of autumn in Penn’s Woods currently are the northern tier counties, the northern Poconos, and the Laurel Highlands,” foresters wrote in the report.
The DCNR weekly report may be found here.
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