New Jersey may not be part of New England, but its reputation for the beautiful changing leaves could be extended to our trees and changing colors too.
New Jersey’s peak fall colors are usually between October 19th and the 29th, so it’s the perfect time to plan a trip. Many factors contribute to the exact timing of the leaves changing, from temperature to rainfall and elevation. In the category of “I didn’t realize they tracked that information”, you can now get a better sense of exactly what’s going on by looking at up-to-date reports from:
Where to go for the best views depends on your capabilities and time investment. If you’re healthy and ready for hike, you may want to consider going to the highest elevation in New Jersey on the Appalachian Trail. You can see NJ, PA, and NY from the top of the obelisk there.
There are many parks that may be hiked, and a wonderful list of them has been compiled here:
https://www.njhiking.com/best-fall-foliage-hikes-in-new-jersey/
While it may not have made their list for the best foliage hikes, Double Trouble State park is close to where we are in Toms River, and has some easy trails that can be walked too.
Hiking can be strenuous for all ages, so be careful out there! Don’t push yourself too hard or think that you have to hike to experience the foliage.
New Jersey has also has three scenic byways that are particularly good for experiencing the fall foliage, so you can enjoy the views from the comfort of your vehicle:
- Delaware River Scenic Byway (32.8 miles)
- Millstone Valley Scenic Byway (27.5 miles)
- Palisades Scenic Byway (13 miles)
Here’s a link to New Jersey Department of Transportation’s website for more information about the byways:
https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/community/scenic/
Enjoy the fall, while it lasts!
