10 Top Places To Visit In New Jersey This Fall
Each fall, the “Garden State” of New Jersey transforms from its lush green summer landscape to a landscape bursting with vibrant hues of amber, orange, and deep crimson. Leaf peepers from all over the United States flock to the state to explore its great outdoors, hike, bike, and simply walk in nature and watch the seasons colorfully change throughout North, Central, and South Jersey.
Ringwood State Park
Autumn is the best time of year to visit Ringwood State Park to watch the leaves change, particularly in early November. This park has stunning scenery, outdoor adventure, and a rich history to boot. Hiking is a popular pastime in the park, with easy trails, more rugged treks, and about 4,000 acres to discover. The 2.9-mile Manor Trail will take hikers through the Ringwood Manor Historic District, where they can visit Ringwood Manor, a National Historic Landmark District owing to its rich magnetite iron deposits in the Ramapo Mountains. It was the summer estate for prominent ironmaster Peter Cooper during the early to mid-nineteenth century. In 1938, the Gilded Age manor, its contents, and its 582 acres of land were donated to New Jersey as a museum and state park. Various museum tours, grounds, and garden tours are available, like “A Child’s Tour” for younger visitors.
Stokes State Forest
Known for its forested mountains, clear freshwater streams, and breathtaking panoramic views from Sunrise Mountain, Stokes State Park is the perfect destination for fall foliage fans. With over 15,000 acres of woodland and 63 miles of hiking trails to explore, there are several ways to get to the summit, and all of them are up. The Stokes State Forest contains 12 miles of Appalachian Trail, and it’s one of only a few places in the state where hikers can do so. The steep Culver Fire Tower Trail is a 5-mile segment of the storied trail up to Sunrise Mountain. Stokes is also an excellent place for trout fishing, mountain biking, camping, and the list goes on.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The Delaware Water Gap encompasses nearly 70,000 acres of breathtaking scenery along 40 miles of the Delaware River. The park straddles the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania and gets its name from a gap in the Appalachian Mountains that the Delaware River cut. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, plus 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail, so the perfect way to explore the changing seasons in the area is by taking a fall hike.
The hike up Mount Tammany is one of the most iconic hiking destinations in the state and offers some of the best fall foliage views. The trail to the summit gives hikers stunning vistas of the Delaware River, flanked by rolling hills covered in fall colors. The Dunnfield Creek Trail and Red Dot Trail are popular paths that wind through the park’s forests, and mid to late October is the best time of year for visitors to enjoy the season.
High Point State Park
With the changing leaves and crisper air, High Point State Park is one of the best places to view jaw-dropping fall scenery. It is also home to the highest elevation in New Jersey, rising 1,803 feet above sea level. The park’s most iconic feature, the 220-foot High Point Monument, is atop the mountain's summit, dedicated to New Jersey’s veterans. Visitors can climb the 291 stairs at the monument for a 360-degree view of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on a clear day. At night, the shaft of the monument is illuminated and visible from up to 40 miles away. For a leisurely hike up the mountain, the Monument Trail is a 3.5-mile loop that offers stunning views of the monument, the surrounding lakes, and the vibrant fall landscape.
Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Allamuchy Mountain State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. With over 9,200 acres of land to discover, this state park has everything from hiking and biking to boating and fishing. The fall is one of the best times of the year to visit the park, with miles and miles of deciduous trees changing colors from golden yellow to pumpkin orange, peaking around mid-November. There are 34 miles of marked and unmarked trails crisscrossing through the forests and marshlands of the park and the Musconetcong River, which winds its way through the park and is a favorite spot for trout fishing.
Within the park, visitors can explore the historic Waterloo Village—a restored 19th-century town on the Morris Canal. The village features a working gristmill, general store, blacksmith shop, museum, and historic houses. Other sites in the village include the Rutan Cabin and farm site, which illustrates early pioneer family life, and Winakung, a native woodland forest with exhibits about Lenape Indian village life.
Eagle Rock Reservation
Eagle Rock Reservation is a 408-acre tract of woods near Montclair, New Jersey, on the edge of Watchung Mountains—a series of three low cliffs, sometimes called the First, Second, and Third Watchung Mountains, named for the bald eagles said to nest in the rocky cliffs. The 40-mile Lenape Trail skirts along the edge of the reservation and contains some scenic overlooks, perfect for birders and photographers. The reservation is home to Essex County’s 9/11 Memorial, one of the park's most-visited areas. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the site became an impromptu memorial to the victims as people traveled to the site to watch the unfolding tragedy on the other side of the Hudson River. Today, the site remains a moving tribute to 9/11 and a spectacular spot to view the beautiful New York City skyline, the One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building amid the changing seasons.
Jenny Jump State Forest
For glaciologists, paleoclimatologists, and people with a fascination for the Ice Age and its impact on the Earth, Jenny Jump State Forest is a must-visit trip this fall. The forest is the perfect example of how the Wisconsin Glaciation created distinct rugged landscapes in its wake, leaving behind a boulder field. With a name like “Jenny Jump,” it’s also the perfect fall destination for weather nerds and their kids. Local legend has it that a father and his daughter, Jenny, were spooked by Lenape Indigenous people while berry picking one day, leading the girl to jump to her death from the nearest cliff.
Regardless of how it got its name, Jenny Jump is an excellent name for this state forest, where kids can jump on the boulders that line the 11 miles of trails. In addition to the unique flat boulders that younger visitors to the park will enjoy, unusual rock formations carved out by glaciation give Jenny Jump some unique photo opportunities amid a colorful fall background.
Wawayanda State Park
The 34,350 acres of Wawayanda State Park in Northern New Jersey are ideal for viewing fall foliage with the reflection of the surrounding trees in Wawayanda Lake, where canoeists, boaters, and anglers congregate when the water is calm. There are 60 miles of marked trails, and a nearly twenty-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail is in the park, while the top of Wawayanda Mountain offers sensational views after a challenging climb. End a full day in Wawayanda State Park with a stop at Heaven Hill Farm’s Great Pumpkin Festival in nearby Vernon from mid-September to early November 2024, and enjoy over 35 family-fun outdoor activities, including hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, farm animals, pig races, a Boo Barn, and more.
Palisades Interstate Park
The Palisades Interstate Park, straddling New York and New Jersey, is the perfect outing for the entire family, with the changing colors transforming the landscape and breathtaking views of the Hudson River. Nature enthusiasts can hike from the picturesque cliffs down to the shores of the Hudson River or take any of the three well-marked trails: the easy “Women’s Federation Monument,” the moderate “Peanut Leap Cascade,” or the challenging “The Giant Stairs.”
There’s a Women’s Federation Monument in the park, which resembles a “castle” for kids to explore, and even the State Line Café to refuel during this easy hike to the State Line Lookout atop the 520-foot Palisades Cliffs. Be sure to bring binoculars to spot raptors from the lookout, as it is a migration path for over 14 species of hawks and two species of vultures. The park offers various events, from a Hunter’s Moon Beach Fire to Pumpkin Painting and a Halloween Hike.
Hacklebarney State Park
Hacklebarney State Park is one of the state’s most scenic natural areas, and fall is one of the best times to visit. Its foliage creates a beautiful landscape of gorgeous yellow hues. With the freshwater Black River winding its path through the rocky terrain of Hacklebarney State Park, this park provides a peaceful escape from everyday life. In the 19th century, Hacklebarney was an iron ore mine site, but today, Hacklebarney is a favorite place for avid anglers and hikers. The 2.7-mile Red, Yellow, and White Loop Trail features a pretty footbridge over a waterfall and is a popular trail for hikers looking to get out for the day with their four-legged friend, as dogs are welcome and can be off-leash in some areas. Visit the pumpkin patch or apple orchard at Von Thun’s Country Farm Market in nearby Washington, New Jersey, on the way for their Fall Festival PLUS Weekends, held every weekend in October 2024, with plenty of attractions, family entertainment, and live country music.
New Jersey is a fantastic destination for enjoying fall colors, outdoor fun, and exercise. Parks like Ringwood State Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provide vibrant, scenic trails perfect for hiking amid stunning autumn foliage. High Point State Park offers panoramic views from its summit, while Jenny Jump State Forest and Stokes State Forest feature rugged terrain shaped by glaciers. With miles of colorful forests, rivers, and mountains, these parks provide plenty of opportunities for active outdoor adventures, from hiking and biking to fishing and canoeing, all while soaking in the beauty of the season.
